NEWS OF THE DAY

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 126, 30 May 1944, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY

WEATHER FORECAST Light and variable winds. Weather fair to cloudy and cool. The further outlook is for little immediate change. •Temperature at 9 a.m., 49 degrees. Full Moon.—June 7. High Water.—Today, 11.37 p.m.; tomorrow, 12.6 p.m. • Sun sets today 5.2 p.m.; rises tomorrow 7.35 a.m., sets 5.1 p.m.

Auckland Rat Campaign. A summary of activities during the recent Rat Week was given to the Auckland City Council in Auckland in a report by the chief sanitary inspector, Mr. H. Paull. In addition to widespread publicity, about a ton of poison baits were made and distributed. The estimated number was 670,000, of which 442,000 were used in Auckland City and 228,000 in the districts of other bodies. The total expenditure was £476. Breeding Native Birds. "Many believe that we cannot or should not breed native birds in captivity, but that was not Mr. GuthrieSmith's opinion," said the president of the Wellington Acclimatisation Society, Mr. L. O. H. Tripp, at its annual meeting last night. Remarking that, though he was not a naturalist himself, he had known the late Mr. Guthrie-Smith for many years, Mr. Tripp recalled suggestions for the preservation of of native bird species . which Mr. Guthrie-Smith had made in letters to him. Mr. Tripp suggested that the Government should appoint several of the well-known scientists who had studied the native birds to supervise the breeding of them. Coal Coi-sumption. Figures showing the increased coal consumption in New Zealand were quoted last night by the Minister of Mines (Mr. Webb). He said that since 1936 the amount used by gasworks had increased 30 per cent., and that required for the production of hydroelectric power had increased 862 per cent. Consumption of coal by the railways had increased 50 per cent., that by meat freezing works 44 per cent., by lime and cement works 61 per cent., and by miscellaneous industries 83 per cent. In addition to these increases the mines had to meet an annual demand of approximately 100,000 tons for military camps, hospitals, and institutions. Since early in 1943 no coal whatever had been received from Newcastle, Australia. Symbolic Garden in New York. A garden, symbolic of the lasting friendship among Australia, New Zealand, and the United States, was dedicated recently on the roof of the British Empire Building at Radio City in New York, at a ceremony under the auspices of the Anzac Club. The theme of the occasion was "freedom" as exemplified in the three democracies. Speakers included BrigadierGeneral Ralph K. Robertson for the United States, Squadron Leader Fletcher for Australia, and Pilot Officer Neville Dyer for New Zealand. Con-sul-General Francis Evans represented Great Britain. Miss Jean Love, Australian soprano, sang the "Song for the Living." The Anzac Club was es tablished in New York City nearly two years ago, with the purpose of repaying the hospitality extended to American servicemen in Australia and New Zealand. Since that time it has entertained or assisted nearly 25,000 Australian and New Zealand servicemen, a Man-power Criticised. Criticism that the Man-power Department was working one-sided was made by Mr. A. M. Ongley, counsel for the defence, during the hearing of a prosecution in the Magistrate's Court at Palmerston North, reports "The Post's" correspondent there. The defendant was charged with employing a worker without the prior consent in writing of a man-power officer. Mr. Ongley said that workers walked out when they wanted to, and the manpower office could not keep them in their jobs. The Department could not assist employers when workers walked out, but immediately an employer attempted to fill a vacancy he was prosecuted. Some leniency should be displayed in order to assist employers and not prohibit them from employing people. The Magistrate, Mr. H. P. Lawry, commented that employers were allowed to retain for a week workers who had not paid their levies, but the Employment Restriction Order was more stringent. The way the Department was administering the order seemed to be keeping people out of employment instead of working. It would be doing no harm to.the manpower position to get unemployed people into temporary work pending the man-power officer's decision.