NEWS OF THE DAY

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 74, 25 September 1945, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY

WEATHER FORECAST

Forecast to 5 p.m. Wednesday:— Strong but decreasing southerly winds. Weather cloudy to overcast with occasional rain, but fair periods increasing tomorrow. Temperatures cold. Further outlook fair to cloudy. A depression is centred west of Cook Strait. An anti-cyclone is intensifying south-east of Southland. New moon, October 6. Temperature at 9.30 a.m., 46 degrees. Rainfall for 24 hours to 9.30 a.m., Rainfall from August 25 to date, 3.78 in. x , „, _, ■ | High water today, 8.1 p.m.; tomor-1 row, 8.24 a.m., 8.56 p.m. I Sun sets today, 6.20 p.m.; rises tomorrow, 6.4 a.m., sets 6.21 p.m. Art Union Drawing1. j The drawing of "My Lucky Break" Art Union will take place in the board room, second floor, Wellington Com- j mercial Travellers' Association Building, Customhouse Quay, Wellington, tomorrow, commencing 9.30 a.m. Ruapehu's Activity Increasing. Mr. A. C. Beck, of the Geological Survey, who is observing at Mount Ruapehu, telegraphed today that activity at the mountain was increasing, ' though there was little change in the crater. Australian Potatoes. I Information on the condition of the large consignment of Australian potatoes brought to New Zealand recently was sought by Mr. J. A. McL. Roy (National, Clutha) in association with Mr. R. G. Gerard (National, MidI Canterbury) in a notice of question to : the Minister of Marketing in the House of Representatives yesterday. Mr. Roy said it was reported that many of the potatoes landed at Wellington were being dumped as totally unfit ior consumption. Sunspots Visible.' A large group of sunspots of great complexity was visible on the sun's western hemisphere, and would pass out of view round the limb about Friday, reported Mr. G. V, Hudson, Karori, last night. Two other groups of small ! spots were also visible on the disc. :The large spot broke out on this side [of the sun between noon on September 18 and 2 p.m. on September 20. At !noon,on September 18, under the most favourable conditions, the solar disc was seen without spots, but the beginnings of the large group were clearly seen on September 20. Jet Propulsion Secrets. The secrecy necessary in Great Britain during the development of jetpropelled aircraft was referred to by Wing Commander C. F. Gray, D.5.0., D.F.C. and two bars, in an address to Air Training Corps cadets at New Plymouth recently. One of the planes crashed in England, he said, and because it had no propellers the authori- j ties quickly rushed two buckled pro- j peller blades to the scene of the acci- i dent and threw them on top of the wreckage. Thus it was hoped that any casual observers might be misled. Eels For Stricken Countries. Now that eels were being sought after by UNRRA as a means of alleviating starvation in the stricken countries of the world, and because there was an abundance of them in the lakes and rivers of New Zealand, the Acclimatisation Society should support any scheme the Government had in mind for the trapping and export of this commodity, said Mr. H. Collinson, at a meeting of the Palmerston North branch of the Wellington Acclimatisation Society last week, states the Manawatu "Times." It was decided to make a recommendation to the council of the Wellington society on the lines suggested by Mr. Collinson. Breeding Of Mosquitoes. Advice that damp sawdust saturated with oil can be used effectively to combat the breeding of mosquitoes was received from the Medical Officer of Health (Dr. J. H. Blakelock) by the Heathcote County Council, states "The Press." The council had previously written to Dr. Blakelock regarding the breeding of mosquitoes in pools of stagnant water left by the recent extensive flooding, and suggesting that I the Heathcote County embark on a campaign as early as possible to prevent such breeding. The treated sawdust, according to the advice received, should be distributed for sinking near the verges of the pools. The oil will continue to seep off for a considerable period and will kill the larvae, which come in contact with the film caused on the surface. Used crank case oil can be used and is fully effective. A Broadcast Script. A notice of question by Mr. R. M. Algie (National, Remuera) to the i Minister of Broadcasting in the House of Representatives yesterday asked whether a script prepared by Mr. John Bradshaw, of Melbourne, for a Sunday evening talk on behalf of the Crusade for Social Justice was returned as totally unacceptable. Mr. Algie inquired whether, if that were so, then upon what principle were the people denied the opportunity of hearing over the air expressions of opinion that could be safely uttered through the newspapers or from the public platform. Mr. Algie added that, according to a published statement, Mr. Bradshaw had broadcast over independent stations in Australia on behalf of the Australian People's Movement. Unsuitable Films. Comment on the unsuitability of modern films for children was made m the House of Representatives last evening by Mrs. G. H. Ross (National, Hamilton), who said that even when tilms were approved as suitable for adults only no steps were taken to prevent children seeing them. Mosti of the films screened on Saturday I afternoons were no good for children. Mrs. Ross said her views were in line with those of a great many parents in New Zealand who had also complained of the "terrible" serials to which children listened in the evenings instead of doing their homework. Day In Parliament.

Four more important classes of Estimates were considered and passed by the House of Representatives yesterday. They comprised the votes for the Industries and Commerce Department (£953,115), Linen Flax Development Account (536,917), Iron and Steel Industry Account (£5466), and the Native Department (£351,936), a total of £1,847,434. The Minister of Industries and Commerce (Mr. Sullivan) was called upon to answer discussions on a wide variety of topics connected with his Department. These mainly concerned the operations of the Price Tribunal, bread prices, and the wheat subsidy, the de-licensing of the fishing industry, and the future of the linen flax industry, which the Minister stated was to be continued on commercial lines when the arrangement with the British Government ceased. Some time was also spent in the evening in reviewing the Onekaka iron and steel project. When the House adjourned at 10 30 p.m., consideration was being given to the Estimates for Native land settlement. Today the House will deal with Government Bills, of which there are five on the order paper.