NEWS OF THE DAY

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVI, Issue 31, 5 August 1943, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY

WEATHER FORECAST

Moderate to fresh north-westerly winds.

A few showers probable at first, but the weather becoming fair to fine. Moderate temperatures. The further outlook is for fair and cooler weather.

The Moon. —Full moon, August 16. | High Water.—Today, 8.11 p.m.; tomorrow 8.36 a.m., 8.54 p.m.

Beaked Whale Washed Up

Some ten days ago an unusual type of whale was washed' ashore at Waikanae, and there has been much speculation among frequenters of the beach as to its identity. The corpse is 17 feet long with a beak or-bill about two feet long. It has a tongue like a cow and no teeth, while the tail flukes are placed horizontally and not perpendicularly as they are in fishes. The skin is like black patent leather, without scales. Dominion Museum authorities say that it is a beaked whale, a somewhat rare species, and they are taking steps to acquire the skeleton. Britain Delivers the Goods. The following story is vouched for by a soldier repatriated from Italy. Some ■ few weeks before his release the 3000 men in his camp, situated some ,20 or 30 miles from Milan, werfe furnished with a much-needed change of clothing, including full battle dress. These goods were landed in South Italy in large cases and the lorries cpntaining them travelled the whole length of the country exhibiting to the populace the slogan, printed in large letters on each case, "Britain Delivers the Goods." For Peace in the Pacific. A suggestion that when peace came there should be no quibbling over territorial claims to those American outposts in the Pacific which the United States had won solely by the expenditure of their own blood was made by Mr. R. C. Burton, who presided at the annual meeting last night of the .Wellington branch of the English-speaking Union. The claims of the United States should be accepted as just and for the, furtherance of peace in the Pacific, he said. The last war had been won with American assistance, but the peace had been lost without it. Convalescent Home. Replying as Acting Minister of Defence to a question raised earlier in the session: by Mr. C. A. Wilkinson (Independent, Egmont), the Prime Minister (Mr. Fraser), in the House of Representatives yesterday, said he understood that a convalescent home for servicemen was to be established in a most suitable and healthy position in the Marlborough Sounds district. The fact of its location would not render it any more inconvenient than were the convalescent hospitals at Hanmer and Rotorua, which were so eminently suitable. The main consideration must always be the welfare of the men concerned. Furtherance of a Creed. ■ Describing the young American men now in New Zealand as ambassadors of good understanding from the United States to the Dominion, Mr. R. C. Burton, who presided at the annual meeting of the Wellington branch of the English-speaking Union last night, said that opportunities continued to present themselves for the furtherance of the union's creed, "the promotion qf a good understanding between the peoples of the U.S.A. and the British Commonwealth of Nations." Never before had they had and never again would they have such an opportunity of cementing that good understanding with so many of the sons of America. Coupons for Linen. * "The coupon value of household linen is relatively high because the available supplies, of this commodity are very limited," stated the Minister of Supply (Mr. Sullivan) in a reply in the House of Representatives yesterday to a question asked by Mr. H. Atmore (Independent, Nelson) on behalf of the member for Napier (Mr. Barnard). One of the objects of rationing, the Minister added, was to ensure that the most equitable distribution of the commodity and a reduction in the coupon value of household linen would tend to increase the demand and thereby reduce the number of persons who might share in the available supplies. The coupon value of household items, such as linen, was fixed having regard to the fact that all members in a household should contribute coupons towards the linen purchases, and therefore the burden should not in most cases fall on one individual in the household. Selection of Doctors. "I am advised that there is no restriction on workers or employers in the selection of doctors in respect of workers' compensation cases," said the Minister of Industries and Commerce (Mr. Sullivan) in a reply in the House of Representatives yesterday to a question asked by Dr. D. G. McMillan (Government, Dunedin West). The Minister also said that there was no restriction on the choice of doctors in cases where persons desired medical advice in relation to their fulfilment of obligations. under the Industrial Man-power Emergency Regulations. "However," added the Minister, "if the man-power officer is not satisfied with the medical evidence put forward by any person he may require further examination by a doctor or by a board of doctors nominated by the Minister of Industrial Man-power. ThJs provision is considered to be an adequate safeguard against unsatisfactory medical certificates." Assistance for Ex-servicemen. * Replying in the House of Representatives yesterday as Minister of Rehabilitation to a question raised by Mr.- W. J. Broadfoot (National, Waitomo), Mr. Semple said that all ex-servicemen who had served either overseas or in New Zealand were eligible for assistance under the Rehabilitation Act. That financial' assistance, however, was not as of right, and generally some distinction was drawn between the man who had served in a fighting zone and the man who had served in New Zealand only, unless it was disclosed that the latter had suffered hardship or disability as a result of service. Length of service and nature of disability, if any, were factors that were taken into consideration when dealing with applications. Each application was considered on its merits, and assistance was given to the fullest extent possible. I