POSTSCRIPTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 136, 11 June 1945, Page 4

POSTSCRIPTS

Chronicle and Comment

BY PERCY FLAGE

Husbands in Court: , I have been married 10 years and never been allowed to have a front door key. * •» * "I've just seen a man jump off a 10----storey building." "That's nothing—jump back up— that's the commando- trick." «■ ' # * For Oriental psychology at its most mystifying, we have Yamashita with his head in the, lion's mouth and fearlessly announcing, "I now have this fellow where I want him!" * * * MASCOT MISSING. George, a Beaufort squadron mascot, has been posted missing on air operations in New Guinea. A dog of obscure parentage, he w#s a favourite with every member of foe squadron. George had many hours on bombing operations. In fact, R.A.A.F. headquarters said he had more flying hours in New Guinea than some of the crew members he joined in operational strikes. He seemed to know when a strike was listed and would "hitch hike" the first truck to the strip in the morning and stand.by for crews. * •» * PRINCE TO MARRY. It is announced from Stockholm that Prince Carl Johan, youngest son of Sweden's Crown Prince, is marrying an eminent Stockholm journalist, Mrs. Kerstin. Wijkmark. The Prince, who is aged 29, is considerably younger than his prospective bride. He is fourth in the list of heirs presumptive to the Swedish throne, and is said to be renouncing his claim to the throne. This is not an empty gesture, as his elder brother has only daughters, and his other brother, Prince* Bertil, is said to be renouncing his claim to the throne. As the Swedish constitution does not recognise the rights of princesses in claims to the throne, Prince Carl Johan has for some time been considered as the future king of Sweden. * * * MORE RATIONING. When we feel inclined to mutter At our skimpy bit of butter, Or to be a trifle peeved At the cut that we've received, When the power is so depleted That our bath is scarcely heated, And our only egg this week Proves to be a ripe antique. Let's remember, for our gain, All the things that still remain. Think of pleasant ■ sunlit ways, ' Happy homes and peaceful days. When we read what others bear, Hunger, ruin, and despair, The little things we go without We simply cannot talk about! —M. C. Higgs. « «• ■» DOUKHOBORS. Canada's queer religious sect—the Doukhobors—who like to undress publicly, has been at it again. The Nelson (British Columbia) courtroom was thrown into an uproar when four Doukhobors, three women and one man, started to undress as a protest against the imprisonment of other members of their sect. One woman succeeded in stripping off all her clothes before the police got to her. She had been arrested a few days previously when she disrobed in Nelson City Hall and walked into the street wearing only her shoes. The day previously 12 other Doukhobors disrobed in front of the provin-' cial gaol, knelt on the footpath, sang and prayed until they were taken into custody. The courtroom disrobing followed a similar disturbance last year in Vancouver courtroom, when more than 30 Doukhobors began taking off their clothes. The accused told the judge that they were only obeying the laws of God, adding: "We do not care who lives with a man or a woman, as we don't have husbands or wives." But the Judge was not impressed and handed out sentences ranging from a year to three years. CLASSES IN BUILDING WORK AT PETONE CENTRE The carpentry centre 'at Petone operated by the Rehabilitation Department recently had its tenth intake of ex-servicemen trainees. Numbering 25, and all from the Wellington district, they mainly comprise men returned from overseas service, with a sprinkling of trainees with home service only. They are all tackling the initial problems of their course with apparent enthusiasm. ' ~ Over 200 trainees • will have passed through the Petone centre when the new class has completed instruction. Past trainees are now working on State housing contracts, and most of them, according to both their instructors and contractors, have turned out remarkably well. Those in the last class are engaged on State housing jobs at Taita. A new class in roof tiling (the second) also recently commenced work at Petone. If the new trainees come up to the standard set by those taking the first course they will turn out good tradesmen. These latter are working on housing contracts, and one of them, after only nine weeks at the centre, is entrusted with a very responsible position by a large private firm of roof-tilers. Good progress is also being made by the plasterer and bricklayer trainees. The former have been doing advanced work in specialised designs, for which they make their own moulds. They are all enthusiastic about the instruction they are receiving. The same applies to the bricklayers, who have been doing everything that seems possible to the layman with bricks and mortar. Besides the usual type, they are being instructed in building with concrete bricks. Carpentry training centres are to be. opened shortly by the Rehabilitation Department, at Palmerston North, 'Wanganui, and New Plymouth. The Palmerston North centre will open its first course early in July,, the Wanganui centre about the middle of July, and New Plymouth towards the end of August. The new centre at Nelson will commence operations early in September. The Rehabilitation Department • will then have 17 carpentry training establishments. SEIZURE UPHELD Rec. 11 a.m. NEW YORK, June 10. The United States Court of Appeals, by a decision of two to one, reversed the Federal District Court ruling and upheld the Government's seizure of the Montgomery Ward Company's facilities. The Appeal Court's judgment said that Montgomery Ward had recognised its- close relationship to and participation in the war effort in tens of thousands of written applications for priorities for substantial amounts. President Roosevelt ordered the seizure of the firm because it had refused to .comply with an order of the War Labour Board. Mr. Roosevelt' said that a strike at the Montgomery Ward properties threatened to spread and endanger the war effort. The firm opposed the seizure, contending that the company was not engaged in war production as was meant in the War Labour Disputes Act. manent members, as they are among the five Great Powers; and four others would be elected by the general assembly to fill the non-permanent seats. U.S. POWER FOR UNCIO Rec. noon. SAN FRANCISCO, June 10. Admiral A. J. Hepburn, adviser to the United States delegation to UNCIO, said in a State Department broadcast that possibly as much as one-third of the post-war American navy might be earmarked for use by the world security council, if necessary. An even larger percentage of the post-war United States army might be used. Admiral Hepburn did not indicate what the size of the national air force contingents would be.