“INTERDEPENDENCE” DAY.

Evening Star, Issue 20196, 8 June 1929, Page 12

“INTERDEPENDENCE” DAY.

Pamphlets that come to us nil 1 lie way li’om .St. Paul, Minnesota, U.S.A., recall that next Saturday is the anniversary ot the signing of Magna Carta. It is rather an old anniversary to observe, referring to something which happened seven hundred years ago, and most British communities have been content to let the day go by like any ordinary one. Not so the “ International Magna Carta Day Association,” born twenty years ago in America, which has found a use for it. The association exists to secure the observance ot June 15 annually in common by the United States and the British Commonwealth of Nations, and to strengthen the ties which bind them together. It believes that Magna Carta Day, through the event which it commemorates, described as “ the source of their common liberties.” and its position midway between Empire Day, May 24, and the American Independence Day, July 4, is supremely fitted to be observed by the “ Seven Nations” as “Interdependence Day,” lor the recalling of their common heritage and cementing of their bonds of goodwill. The association’s interpretation of the Great Charter is not beyond contention. Though Mr Coolidge has called it “ the background of all that we have,” and Air Elihu Root “ the greatest of all events iii the political development of modern liberty,” there are modern historians who would say that that is quite a mistake. There was scarcely a word in the Charter, it has been said, which had the same meaning when it was signed that it would have to-day; it was not the beginning of English freedom so much as a confirmation of certain privileges of the barons. But all that does not matter much. We like this idea of the “ Seven Nations,” and it would be a good thing if the conception could become a common one, supplementing Air Kipling’s description of the “Five Nations,” on both sides of the Atlantic—and Pacific—Oceans. The association has made some progress with its propaganda, since it has found strong supporters in Great Britain, and we notice AlivJ. G. Coates in the ranks of its honorary presidents. Air A. S. Malcolm, of our own Otago, writes to it; “You deserve the thanks of all English-speaking peoples. T hope, legally or otherwise, to have New Zealand adopt Magna Carta Day.” Legal enactment, happily, is not required. All that the association asks is that once a year, without any legal holiday being established, there should be addresses on what the English-speaking races have in common, and that on the nearest Sunday sermons should be based indirectly, if not directly, on Whittier’s text:

We. too, are heirs of Runiivmede, ‘And Shakespeare’s fame and Cromwell's deed Are not alone our mother's. For the commemoration of special days there have been many more foolish suggestions.

The ‘ Sports Special,’ with all Iho snorting news of the day, will be sold on the streets to-night. Under the will of Mr Alexander Henry Maclean, who died in Dunedin on May 25, t,le Public Trustee is directed to set aside a fund of £4,000 to create a trust called “The Florence Elizabeth Frances Maclean Trust,” to pay the income to tho Diocesan Board of the Anglican Church of the diocese of Dunedin for the general purposes and benefit of the Anglican hoys and irirls’ orphanages situated in or near Dunedin. The income is to be used for the purpose of providing personal pleasures for the children of the orphanages, such as picnics, games, pleasure trips, amusements and entertainments, and such other features in the lives of the children as are deemed by the board to be calculated to enhance the happiness of the children; also in purchasing materials for such picnics, cames, pleasure trips, amusements and entertainments. Mr Maclean also directed that his Maori curios, which at present are deposited with the Otago University Museum, should be banded to the Otago University for the purpose of exhibiting them in'the University Museum. The Corintbic ran into a. storm after leaving Pitcairn Island, and had to battle against a head, wind and high seas for a week. Nearing New Zealand heavy rain and thick weather was experienced, tho steamer being four days late in arriving.—Wellington Press Association telegram. Four applications for licenses for hotels were refused by the _ newlyappointed Mid-Canterbury Licensing Committee at Leeston yesterday. The committee heard evidence and legal argument. The chairman (Mr H, A. Young, S.M.), in giving the committee’s decision, said that the committee was not satisfied that it had power by law to grant the applications, which would therefore have to be refused. He expressed the hope, however, that the applicants would bring the matter before the Supremo Court or the Full Court. Ashburton, formerly' a dry district, lias now been included in MidCanterbury, which legally is a wet district. though, in fact, nearly half of it—that part which was formerly in Ashburton —is dry.

It is officially notified that tho thanksgiving service proposed to be held on Juno 16 in connection with the King’s recent illness has been postponed on account of the present indisposition of His Majesty. When another date is definitely fixed a public notification will immediately be made.

The postal authorities advise that the s.s. Gorinthic, from London, which reached Wellington on Friday, has eighteen bags of mail and ninety parcel receptacles for Dunedin. The letters and papers reach here this afternoon, and the parcels on Monday. An innovation in the electric power and lighting department of the City Corporation has been the inauguration of monthly socials, the first of which was held this week, when Mr M. C. Henderson, city electrical engineer, was in the chair. In a brief openiug address Mr Henderson expressed pleasure at the formation of the club, as it gave the men of the various branches of the department a chance to know each other, and for the heads of the department and the men to get to know each other. Mi- Henderson compared the club with clubs he had visited in London and in other places, and hoped that at the next social he would be with the men in the body of the ball while .someone else was in the chair. Mr A. D. Edgar gave a brief talk on matters of interest to electrical men, and showed lantern slides of power stations he had visited in America and Great Britain. Vocal items wer given by Messrs Paterson, Faulkner, Brown, and Oudney, and the orchestra played a number of selections.

The winding-up of the Otago winter show has been as expeditious ns its preparation and carrying-on. This morning everything was clear in the several chambers for reoccupation in the way of ordinary business, and goods were coming in. The exact financial outcome of the show is not yet ascertainable, but Air Dutbie knows that the balance will be on the right side. The only remaining result to report is that the Karamea and Owaka dairy factories tie for the Taieri and Peninsula Afilk Supply Company’s trophy, value Sags, in factory butter. This competition is open only to exhibits from bona tide factories. Previous winners wore;—l92s, Owaka Dairy Factory; 1920, Waitaki Dairy Factory (Oamaru) ; 1927, Canterbury Central Cooperative Factory; 1923, Taieri and Peninsula Alilk Company, The sideshows arc to be open again this evening

The first conference of the New Zealand Women’s Zionist Society (Plunket work in Palestine) was held at Wellington this week, delegates being present from the four ' cities. Mrs David Nathan, of Auckland, was elected president. It was resolved that Sir Triiby King’s name be inscribed in the Golden Book of the Jewish People in recognition of his co-operation in establishing Plunket mothercraft centres in Palestine. The Golden Book referred to may bo described as the Jewish roll of honour. It is kept in Jerusalem, and in it is inscribed the names of all who have been of service to Jewish people. Sir Triiby King’s name will appear in eomnany with the King’s. Lord Professor Einstein’s, and others. —Press A ssccia tion telegra m. Improvements are ever being made in the Dunedin City reserves. The latest lo come in for modernising attentions is the Market Reserve, in Princes street south. Now that the iron railing is removed the paths have no meaning, so they are being dug up and earthed over, to convert the whole area into one big lawn. The postal authorities advise that the mails whirl) left Auckland per the R.M.S. Anrangi on May 7 arrived in London on the 6th instant. Trouble with the crew of the Union Company’s steamer Kartigi at Auckland yesterday resulted m the men being given notice, and they will he paid off to-day. Afterwards the vessel wil be laid up indefinitely. The trouble arose over a stoker who was dismissed by <he chief engineer. The other members of the crow objected to the man being discharged, and refused to go to sea. in, the vessel unless he was reinstated. The request was refused, and, as trouble could not bo settled satisfactorily, the company decided that the Kartigi should be laid up.—Press Association .

In answer to the charge of being a rogue and vagabond who was found by night without lawful excuse in an enclosed yard, the property of Messrs Powley and Co., Hope street, John William Forrester appeared in the Police Court this morning before Mr J. R. Bartholomew, S.M. Sub-inspec-tor Cummings stated that the accused was arrested at 11 o’clock last night, and there was property found on him which required further investigation. In response ’to a request the magistrate granted a remand till Friday, June 14, bail being fixed in the sum of £SO (accused’s own recognisance) and one surety of £SO or two of £25. At the same sitting a first offender for drunkenness was fined 20s, in default forty : eight. hours’ imprisonment.

Our Christchurch correspondent advises that Mr G. M. Keys has been appointed by tho Technical College Board of Governors to assist with vocational guidance on four half-days per week, as authorised,by the Department of Education. Mr Keys has had useful experience in the work on the staff of the Y.M.C.A. in Christchurch and in America. He has also done considerable research work. He will assist in placing boys and girls from day and evening schools in suitable employment, with tho follow-up work after they have been placed. He will also assist in ascertaining the aptitudes of boys and girls in school, to make sure that they arc in the most suitable courses.

The monthly meeting of the Macandrew Bead School Committee was held on Tuesday evening, when the following members were present Messrs A. Smilev (chairman), G. T. Thom, P. Dnff.'J. Goodman, B. G. Binder. H. Dowland, and Win. Wright. Mr John Bowie the head master, was also present. His report showed that tho roll numbers wore steadily increasing. The school competitions in the various sports were being held regularly. So far the A football team had played four games and won four, while the hockey team had won two games. The contract for the erection of lavatory accommodation in the gymnasium and the necessary drainage had been let, and the work commenced. Tho basket ball ground had been relined. Appreciation was expressed of tho efforts of the boys of Standard VI. in renovating and varnishing their class room; also to Baymond Eccles for a, gift of magazines for tho school library.

At the ordinary meeting of tho Cromwell -Borough Council the tender of Road Constructors, Ltd., for tar sealing thirty-five chains of the main street of Cromwell was accepted at, £B6O, with an additional £4O for special rolling.—Cromwell correspondent.

A steady warm rain, for midwinter, set in at Cromwell early on Friday morning and continued practically all day and into the night—one of the longest winter rains known for some years. Snow on the mountains might have been expected, but so far none has fallen. Although the rain has ceased at present, the weather is still threatening. The Kawarau has risen oft since Friday evening, and is now at the 6ft mark, while the Clutha is also rising, hut a heavy flood is not imminent.—Ow correspondent. Inquiry at the Police Station this morning showed that no trace had been found of Wilkin Rainsdou Avery, who, while on remand on charges of burglary, escaped from the local gaol on Tluirsdav morning. So far nothing lias been seen or heard of Mr J. Begg Thomson's motor car, which was stolen from his property at Bcthunc’s Gully on Tuesday night. The car is a five-seater tonring Chrysler, 1926 four-cylinder model, and the registration number is 144-593 on the new coloured plates. The body was of a light-grey colour, and the black hood had a patch about a foot square on the rear right-hand corner. In the New- Plymouth Supreme Court this morning Mr Justice Ostler sentenced two youths, Ben Taylor Watkinson and another whose name was suppressed, for breaking and entering, to which they had pleaded guilty in the Children’s Court, to three years in the Borstal Institute, concurrent with a sentence already being served by them. —Press Association telegram.

A largo eight-roomed house in the suburb of Springlands was destroyed by fire about midnight. The residence was occupied by Mr A. W. Renner and owned by Mr E. Limbrick, of Hawke’s Bay. Fanned by strong winds the fire, which started in the coa 1 shed, quickly enveloped the entire house, which was totally destroyed, together with its contents. The blaze wa% beyond the Blenheim Brigade’s boundary. The contents were insured for £2OO in the National Office, but the cover on the house is not available.—Press Association telegram.

Notification of Sunday services as enumerated below appear in our Sunday services advertising columns: —Anglican; St. Paul’s Cathedral, All Saints’, St. Matthew’s, Sf. Peter’s. Presbyterian; First Church, Knox Church, St, Andrew’s, St. Stephen’s, Port Chalmers, North-east Valley, Mornington, Caversham, South Dunedin, Chalmers, Musselburgh, Maori Hill, St, Clair, Green Island, Kaikorai. Methodist; Trinity, Central Mission, Mornington. Cargill Road, St. Kilda, N.E. Valley, Dundas Street, Roslyn, Caversham, Port Chalmers. Congregational: Moray Place and Kin" Street. Baptist: Hanover Street, Caversham, Mornington, N.E. Valley, South Dunedin. Church of Christ; Tabernacle, Roslyn, N.E. Valley, Filleul Street. York Place Hall, Playfair Street Hall, Salvation Army, Christian Science, Thcosophical Society, Spiritualists, Chrisladelphians, GospeJ Hafl. Evangelical Hall, Higher Thought Centre.

Many times we wish we had a photo, a real likeness, of friend or relative. Rembrandt portraits are remarkable for their likeness, fidelity, beauty, finish, and permanency. —Studio, 199 George street.— lAdvt.f The United Starr-Bowkett Building Society’s new No, 11 group is at present being formed. The Southern Starr-Bowkclt Society will dispose of £I,OOO by sale on Monday night The Railway Department advertises in ibis issue particulars of special week-end excursions to Mount Cook. On April 22 last a number of districts failed to elect school committees. An advertisement in this issue draws attention to the fact that opnortunity to elect committees will again bo afforded to the householders in these districts on Monday next. Your Eyes are Nature’s most precious gift. Take care of them. Consult W. V. Sturmer, optician, 2 Octagon, Dunedin.— [Advt.] For highest quality Diamond Kings, reliable Watches, and Optical Service, Peter Dick, the most reliable jewellers and op t ici an s.—[ A d vt.] Williamsons, the jewellers, do all kinds of Repair Work. They arc the practical people. The charges are always fair.— [Advt.] The Dunedin Fanciers’ Club's show, which will be opened next week, promises to be. unusually attractive. In addition lo dogs and birds there are classes for children’s pets, cookery, and Angora and Chinchilla rabbits. The Dunedin Pipe Band will play at the Gardens to-morrow.