NEWS OF THE DAY

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 74, 28 March 1944, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY

WEATHER FORECAST Fresh southerly winds, decreasing and tending north-westerly tomorrow. Weather fair to fine, though cool. The further outlook is for fair weather. Temperature at 9 a.m., 60deg. Full moon, April 9. High Water.—Today, 8.36 p.m.; tomorrow, 9.5 a.m., 9.30 p.m. . Sun sets today, 6.21 p.m.; rises tomorrow, 6.32 a.m., sets 6.20 p.m. Imports of Whisky. Additional licences for imports of whisky from the United Kingdom during the eighth period will be granted to the extent of 10 per cent, of the value of applicants' imports of whisky* from that source in 1938, according to advice received from the Customs Department. The eighth period was the whole of this year. Closed Unions. "What action does the Minister propose to take in connection with returned servicemen who wish to join a union with a closed membership?" asked Mr. A. S. Sutherland (National, Hauraki) in a notice of Question to the Minister of Rehabilitation in the House of Representatives yesterday. Mr. Sutherland also asked whether the Minister would recommend to the unions concerned that civilians who had joined such a union since the war began be replaced by returned servicemen wishing to take up membership. Earthquake Cover. A notice of question given in the House of Representatives yesterday by Mr. C M. Bowden (National, Wellington West) asked the Acting Minister of Finance whether in any case where a mortgage given to a Government lending Department contained a covenant that the mortgagor would insure against earthquake damage, instructions had been given to the Department to accept the coyer of the earthquake damage regulations as full compliance with that covenant. He also inquired whether the whole resources of the Dominion were available for payment of claims which might be made under the regulations, or would payment be limited to the extent of the fund? Air-raid Shelters. "The City Council is proceeding with the dismantling of air-raid shelters," said Mr. W. A. Appleton, chairman of the board of managers of the Wellington Technical College, at a meeting of the board last night. Mr. R. G. Ridling, director of the college, drew attention in his report to the necessity for increasing the playing space of the college and stated that an area of three acres was purchased by the Government and placed at the disposal of-the board. The three acres had been taken over for air-raid shelters, and one acre was at present occupied by a company on a lease which expired in 1945. Sprinkling of Snow. The colder weather experienced in Wellington during the weekend resulted in a sprinkling of snow falling on the Tararuas, most of which, however quickly melted under the influence' of yesterday's genial sunshine. Although it was only light, there was sufficient snow to suggest that winter is approaching. It wJll probably be some weeks yet before the Tararuas are covered with their permanent winter coat of white, although one cannot be too sure of anything meteorological in this country of marked weather vagaries. Teachers in Armed Forces. Support for the Hawke's Bay Education Board in its efforts to obtain the release of qualified teachers from home service with the Armed Forces and other essential industries was not favoured by the board of managers of the Wellington Technical College last night. It was considered that a blanket release of all teachers would make them subject to man-power direction and might cause unfavourable repercussions. Mr. R. G. Ridling, director of the college, pointed out that if a particular man was wanted an appeal was made and no difficulty had been experienced in the past in getting him. Other members agreed that it was better to treat each case on its merits. Cases for Fruit. Now that the harvesting of apples and pears is rapidly approaching the peak period the shortage of cases is causing grave concern to those responsible for this service. was announced by the Orchard Instructor of the Department of Agriculture (Mr. A. R Grainger), states a Christchurch report He said that the position was so serious that it had become necessary to see that the Second-hand Fruit Case Regulations were strictly observed. Arrangements had been made for the local branch of the New Zealand Fruitgrowers' Federation to operate a central collecting, receiving, and distributing depot to give adequate service over the city and suburbs. Owners of second-hand cases would thus have no excuse for disposing of them to unauthorised persons. Leadership in Industry. \ The provision of opportunities for the training of the future leaders and executives in industry is one of the many matters to which the New Zealand Manufacturers' Federation has given consideration in looking to the future advancement of industry in New Zealand. Classes for the study of industrial management and allied problems are now to be set up in Christchurch. This decision was made at a meeting called by the Canterbury Manufacturers' Association and at which there were more than 200 factory managers, foremen, and forewomen in attendance. The idea was a new one in New Zealand, said the president, of the association (Mr. D. V. Wilson), but was in line with developments overseas. It was hoped by sponsoring classes to have discussions on such subjects as absenteeism, industrial morale, and production control. Population Problem. Stating that he was particularly concerned about who was to inhabit New Zealand in the future. Dean Cruickshank, in an Anniversary Day address in Dunedin, said that the population of this country, if it were not declining, was stationary. A high birth-rate in this country, which was much to be desired, could not make any difference for another 20 years. The general demand in New Zeaalnd was for shorter hours and better working conditions, Dean Cruickshank said. These were excellent, provided they were not abused. He believed that the problem of population was a most pressing one, for they could not expect adults, after the war, to come out from the Old Country, where they would have their own problems of reconstruction. Moreover, if they wanted people to come to New Zealand they would have to make the country attractive to them — there would have to be an incentive to work and prosper. At the present moment there were more than 10,000,000 starving orphans in Europe. Would New Zealand stand by and let them starve when it would be profitable for this country to bring them out here? Boatswain's Bravery. "Charles Read, boatswain on the sis. , has been a regular visitor to the British Sailors' Society rooms when in port at Wellington," states the society's annual report. "After an interval, longer than usual, he turned up the other day with a ribbon on his chest. Two of the society's workers asked him whiit medal it signified, and how he had won it, but he was silent. Up spoke his mate. He said: 'After leaving New Zealand we went to England. Then we headed for South America. When five days out from England our convoy was strongly attacked by aircraft and subs. Two ships went down. A bomb entered the magazine of our ship—evidently a time-bomb—and though it did not at once explode, it ,set the magazine on fire. Charles Read seized a hose and played it on the magazine for five hours, knowing that at any second he would probably be blown to pieces. The fire was controlled, the ship made port, and Charles was awarded the British Empire Medal.'"