NEWS OF THE DAY

Evening Post, Volume CXXXV, Issue 149, 25 June 1943, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY

WEATHER FORECAST bModerate southerly winds, freshening tomorrow. Weather fair at first, but a period of showers tomorrow. Cold temperatures. The further outlook is for mainly fair but cold weather. f The Moon. —New moon, July 3. High Water.—Today, 11.25 p.m.; tomorrow, 11.48 a.m. Grants from Hospital Board. The Wellington Hospital Board was advised last night that Ministerial approval had been given to the making of the following annual grants:—Free Ambulance, £2600; District Nursing Guild of St. John, £200; Wellington Convalescent Home, £150; Empire Cancer Campaign, £225; Wellington Blood Transfusion Society, £250; National Blood Transfusion Society, £10. Student Day of Prayer. On Sunday next students throughout the Southern Hemisphere will unite in the Day of Prayer of the World's Student Christian Federation. This day has been observed for many years, but it has assumed especial significance during the war period. Students in 45 countries set aside one day on which to realise their bond with students throughout the whole world and to pray for the sufferings of others. Owing to the difficulties of university sessions, the Day of Prayer is observed in the Northern Hemisphere on February 23. An Early Lamb. Although lambs do not ustfally appear before the spring, one has already been born on the property of Mr. H. T. Wilkins, at Mosgiel, states the "Otago Daily Times." The normal lambing period is September, although some do appear in July and August. The lamb on Mr. Wilkins's property was born last week. Mosquitoes in Springs. The larvae of New Zealand's most common mosquito have recently been found breeding in two types of thermal springs at Rotorua. This most unusual breeding ground was discovered by Lieutenant D. H. Graham, formerly research officer to the Auckland Mosquito Control Committee. The species is in the larval stage only, and apparently in a "carry-over," or hibernating state, until warmer weather, before developing to the pupal stage and emerging as adults. The temperature of the springs is 79 degrees F. Price Rises. Full details of price rises and fluctuations since December 15, 1942, on which the Government Statistician ■based his statement that the wartime price indices had risen by 1.1 per cent, since that date, were sought by Mr. C. G. E. Harker (National, Waipawa) in a notice of question in the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon. "This information was not given to the public when the altered index was announced early this month," said Mr. Harker, "the Economic Stabilisation Emergency Regulations, 1942, providing merely that the Government Statistician should publish the statement in the Gazette and in such manner as he thinks fit." "Double Taxation." "When social security was introduced we were given to understand that the shilling in the pound would cover everything so far as hospital expenditure was concerned, but today every home owner and every farm owner has to pay this imposition of a hospital rate," said Mr. W. J. Broadfoot (National, Waitomo) in the House of Representatives last night when he criticised the present system of hospital taxation, which, he said, was double taxation and iniquitous. The Budget promised relief to the local bodies to the amount of £250,000, but because of increasing capital expenditure he did not think it would keep the costs down. International Money. Notice of intention to ask a question relating to the establishment of an international monetary pool was given in the House of Representatives yesterday by Mr. C. G. E. Harker (National, Waipawa) on behalf of the member for Napier (Mr. Barnard). It was addressed to the Prime Minister. Mr. Harker asked whether any proposals had been submitted to the Govenment by the Briitsh Government for the establishment of an international monetary pool after the war as an aid to the resumption of international trade; and if so had any reply been given? Mr. Harkef asked whether the Prime Minister would consult the House fully before deciding upon the Dominion's attitude if no answer had yet been given. Fruit and Vegetables. Cabbages are still very scarce at the Wellington markets, but cauliflowers are fairly plentiful. Brussels sprouts fetched high prices yesterday, 45s to 64s being paid for 401b cases, a price nearly double normal. Four thousand cases of Australian and Island oranges, just released for distribution in Wellington, will be a welcome addition to fruit available to the public. The Aus-] tralian navel oranges are the first of the season to reach Wellington. Their maximum price will be 5s 6d a dozen, while that of the Island oranges will be 2s 8d a dozen, as was the case' with the previous shipment. Yesterday in Parliament. So far 58 speakers have contributed to the Financial debate in the House of Representatives and there is every possibility of a reply being made by the Minister of Finance (Mr. Nash) early next week. An interesting feature of yesterday's discussion was the revelation by the Minister of Health (Mr. Nordmeyer) that before the introduction of the Budget the Government had been seriously considering an increase in direct taxation. There were five speakers in the debate yesterday. The usual morning sitting was not held today as members of both Houses met in the social hall to discuss the war situation with Lieutenant-General Sir Bernard Freyberg, General Officer Commanding the New Zealand Forces in the Middle East. Pay-As-You-Go Taxation. Anything that would help to relieve the taxpayers on the lower incomes should be investigated, said Mr. W. Lee Martin (Government, Raglan) in the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon when he advocated the adoption in New Zealand of the pay-as-you-go tax collection . principle. After drawing attention to the fact that such a method of collecting income tax in the United States had been decided upon by both Houses there and was waiting the Presidential consent, Mr. Lee Martin said that under the plan the taxpayers paid their taxes on income in the year in which it was earned. It had been argued that that meant the loss by the State of one year's taxes when the change-over was made from the present system, but that was not so as the taxes would continue to be paid without a break. Record Turnover. A record turnover in wheat, flour, bran, and pollard handled through the office of the Wheat Committee for the year ended January 31, 1943, was reported by the Wheat and Flour Controller, Mr. R. McPherson, to the electoral committee of United Wheatgrowers, Ltd., at Christchurch on Wednesday, states the "Press." Reporting on the administration of the Wheat Committee, Mr. McPherson said that administration costs on the handling of wheat were less than one-fifth of a penny a bushel. The total turnover for the year to January 31 in wheat (New Zealand milling wheat and Australian importations) was £3,013,036, and in flour, bran, and pollard £2,905,102, making a total of £5,918,138 handled through the office of the Wheat Committee. In all this turnover, bad debts amounted to only £47. Mr. McPherson also impressed on members the difference between United Wheatgrowurs and the Wheat Committee. Farmers, he said, had fallen into the habit of calling the electoral committee of United Wheatgrowers the Wheat Committee, but the Wheat Committee was a body set up by the Government to administer the Board of Trade (Wheat and Flour) Regulations, and was directly responsible to the Minister of Supply.