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Evening Star, Issue 22632, 26 April 1937, Page 8

The principal speaker at the Anzac Day service at Wanganui was Mr J. H. Luxford, S.M., ot Wellington, who expressed l regret (reports a Press Association telegram) at the carrying over to Monday of Anzac Day as a holiday, and said that it was a holy day, not a holiday. He felt he was expressing not only the returned men’s views, but those of the vast gathering present, that any alteration in the observance of Anzac Day, however slight, would be abhorrent to the people of the Commonwealth of Australia and of New Zealand.' He considered the anniversary of the landing at Gallipoli the best day for Anzac Day, and not the nearest Sunday. • America is still the largest market for rubber, according to Mr M. Tollemarche, a rubber planter from the Malay States, who is visiting Christchurch. In both America and Germany, he said to the ‘ Press,’ attempts had been made to produce synthetic rubber, but although it was produced it was not payable, and did not offer any competition with natural rubber. The output of rubber "and tin, the principal products of the Malay States, had been restricted during the depression with beneficial effects, and conditions were now greatly improved. The (rumour that those in charge of the University capping celebrations this year are worried about the apathy of students was emphatically denied this morning by Mr J. Sineock, the capping controller, when referring to an item that appeared in Saturday’s ‘ Star.’ Speaking on behalf of the Capping Committee, Mr Sineock said that the response of students, far from discouraging those in charge, has given every indication that the concert this year will be more successful than ever. The fact that the collection for the crippled children’s fund is being organised as a central feature is largely responsible for this increased enthusiasm. It had been suggested that there was to be no capping chorus this year, but that matter is under consideration by the committee. Women students will, as formerly, have no part iu the concert. Owners of private motor cars who fail to respect and observe the city bylaws impose a needless and unfair responsibility not only on their colleagues, but also on corporation bus drivers, whose freedom in manipulating their heavy vehicles can be severely hampered by such actions as careless parking. Of late, parking offenders have been causing concern iu Highgate, particularly at night, when there is too often a total disregard for the by-law which forbids the leaving of stationary cars within 30ft of an intersection. It is evident, moreover, that ignorance of the lighting regulations still exists. Under one claust it becomes unnecessary to display the ligts of a motor vehicle, stationary on a roadway, if it is lighted from some artificial source in such a way that it can be readily seen at a distance of 150 ft, it being stated that street lights may be sufficient for this purpose. It appears that some motorists will have to receive education from an authoritative source as to the correct interpretation of this clause, for it so happens that almost any night in Highgate, a well-used thoroughfare, cars can bo found parked without lights at places not within the prescribed distance of the street lights. Perhaps a few reminders, from the traffic inspectors would effect a cure for carelessness.

Figures of the annual average mileages run by taxis in the main centres are given in the report of the Taxi Commission as priraa facie evidence of an excessive number of taxis and keen competition. These figures are; Auckland, 12,800 miles; Wellington, 15,600; Christchurch, 7,700; Dunedin, 15,300. Very favourable opinions of the Dominion from travellers from four parts of the world who are visiting Christchurch were expressed ■ yesterday (savs the ‘ Press ’). They are Mr D. Lamb, of Scotland; Mr M. Tollemarche, of the Malay States; Mr J. H. Weingarten, of New York; and Mr W. 0. It. Gregory, of London. Mr Lamb and Mr Tollemarche, who are travelling together, spoke highly of tile tourist attractions of the country, Mr Lamb remarking on the excellence of the roads. One complaint they had to make was the inconvenience caused in getting meals because of the operation of the 40-hour week. Mr Weingarten, an American jewellery chain manufacturer, said that ho gained the impression that New Zealand was in a very prosperous condition, and he found the country offering an enthusiastic market. Mr Gregory, who has visited New Zealand 12 times during the last 14 years for an optical instrument firm, said that he had found the economic conditions of the Dominion very much improved on this visit. He said that in England the Labour Government was looked upon much more favourably than Labour Governments in other places. The people of New Zealand were considered very sensible. The opinion that the new Constitution ih India would ultimately prove successful, and that, although _ there might be a great deal of confusion at first, this ivould only be a passing phase, was expressed last evening by Colonel G. B. Howell, of Delhi, who is visiting Christchurch (says ‘the ‘Press’), India was full of intelligent people, he said, who were capable of running the country. Ho was surprised to learn that the Congress Party had not taken office when the new Government came into force, as it had been generally expected that it would do so. Colonel Howell said that religious differences would always remain a problem in India. He did not think they would ever be fully settled, although they might be tempered by compromise. The Secretary, Brighton Ratepayers] ■Association, applied to the Taieri County Council at its monthly meeting to install street lighting on the main road between Pegan’s and Lobb’s.— The Clerk stated that he had made inquiries, and the cost for the 22 lights estimated to be required would be £63 per annum on a five-year guarantee. He suggested that a special rating area would be required.—lt was left to the clerk to. communicate accordingly with the association. .

The postal authorities advise that the Akaroa,»which reached Auckland yesterday from Loudon, has 43 bags of English mail and 20 parcel receptacles for Dunedin. These should reach the local office to-morrow afternoon.

The only No. 5 scheme group to start work witli the City Council’s works department to-morrow morning is No. 252, at Pine Hill road (Gladstone road). Owner-drivers of taxis make no fortunes, according to figures supplied in the Taxi' Inquiry Committee’s report, released to-day. The average annual net earnings per car in the four centres are given as under;—Auckland £lol, Wellington £92, Christchurch £139, Dunedin £l4B. The report adds: Depreciation was not included, because the bulk of owner-drivers do not keep proper accounts and do not recognise the significance of a charge for depreciation. Examining the figures in the light of this information, the relatively low earnings for owner-drivers in Wellington is striking, because the average instalment of £9l per annum per car may be regarded as a fairly reasonable charge for depreciation. These earnings represent approximately £1 16s 10d per week (counting the year as 50 weeks), or (on the basis of the average of 71 hours per week) approximately 6d per hour. This is a striking commentary on the conditions of owner-drivers in Wellington.

The postal authorities advise that the Awatea left Sydney on Saturday for Wellington with 33 bags of Australian mail and 12 parcel bags lor Dunedin; also the London air mails of April 10. The air mail should be to hand on Wednesday at 1.30 p.m., and the balance-of the mail at 5 p.m. The City Fire Brigade answered a justifiable false alarm from the corner of Cargill road and Loyalty steet at 6.22 p.m. yesterday. At 7.20 p.m. a chimney fire in High street was attended to, while at 8.20 p.m. an outbreak occurred iu the collar of a house cupied bv Mrs C. Oliver. The cause is unknown. Only slight damage was done.

After''a fast round trip the Matua returned to Auckland this morning from Rarotonga, Nukualofa, Vavau, Apia, and Suva. Her passenger accommodation was fully taxed.—Press Associatiori.

Eye strain—for eye comfort, for belter vision, consult Stunner and Watson Ud., ouficians. 2 Octapon. Dunedm.-f.Advt. | _ Railwav Department advertises in this i s =iio particulars of alterations in the CVnirai Ob™ branch time-table. Jho pasaenser trains will bo accelerated as from Monday