MR ROOSEVELT’S “EYES.”

Evening Star, Issue 23500, 14 February 1940, Page 8

MR ROOSEVELT’S “EYES.”

The visits to belligerent countries to be made by the American Under-Secre-tary of State (Mr Sumner Welles) are carefully differentiated from the diplomatic conversations which the Secretary of State (Mr Hull) js conducting with neutral countries to discover their ideas of how a stable peace can best be assured for Europe after the war. Peace may be a distant prospect, but it is not too soon to consider ways by which its permanence may be assured, as far as possible, whenever the glad day dawns. Europe, and other countries, will have to live differently from the manner of the last ten years. Reductions of armaments and of trade barriers will be alike essential, and the framing of those better conditions will be as much a matter for neutrals as for belligerents. Mr Welles will go to Italy, and afterwards to Germany, France, and Britain for what has been described ns a personal survey of conditions, to* be made for the information of the President. As his mission is explained, he will make no proposals or commitments on the part of the United States; his role will be simply that of an officially accredited observer.

There is nothing new in that role. Before and during the last war Colonel Edward House moved about Europe, seeing and reporting to the head of the American Government. He was knojvn in the States as “ President Wilson’s eyes,” and Mr Welles will be President Roosevelt’s “ eyes ” in the warring countries while hie mission lasts. But Colonel House, who had always been a student of international affairs, did not confine his activities to seeing. Naturally enough he talked when he mot foreign heads, and, as may be expected to happen iu Mr Welles’s case, the talks had their sequel in proposals when the President thought the time was fit. Nothing came of those proposals, but Colonel House’s mission had one concrete value which it may be hoped will he provided by its successor. It helped to smooth American relations 'with the belligerents. After the war House, who had a chief hand in drafting the League of Nations Covenant for his master, urged President Wilson by letter to compromise with the Senate so as to secure ratification of the Versailles Treaty and the entrance of the United States into the League. Unhappily, by that time W’ilson was ill and would not hear of compromise. America turned her back upon the treaty and the League together, which was a disaster for the world. House had one qualification for his mission which his successor must lack. Throughout his life ho never talked publicly; so he offended no one. But Mr Welles, if we remember rightly, months before the war began bad committed himself to a condemnation of Nazism warranted to make Hitler and his associates writhe if anything could get under their skins. Britain and France will be pleased to see him, but be can hardly hope for a cordial reception in Berlin. And the Italian Press ratner demurs at his visit, on the g. .und that “Mr Roosevelt is too prejudiced in favour of the Allies.” Neither Mr Roosevelt nor his subordinate has been concerned, like President Wilson, to make neutrality a thing of the mind. The importance of Mr Welles’s tour at this time, iu any case, could be only for the United States. There can be no peace and no negotiations for peace between the Allies and Hitlerism, whose word is given only to deceive Hitlerism must go. Even lor America Mr Roosevelt’s “ eyes ” may have limited use in Berlin. It is unlikely that they will be allowed to sec much.

“ Flag Day ” return's will probably exceed the £2,000 figure, according to the estimate given by the secretary of the 11.5. A. (Mr O. .0. Kerens) at the meeting last night. Further country figures have still to be returned. “ The collection exceeded expectations,” said the president (Mr J. M. White), “and was very gratifying. It is a very good kick-off for building a bigger fund.” Instead of entertaining orphan children at the annual picnic outing at the Wingatui racecourse, the Automobile Association (Otago) will probably be their hosts at a picture theatre party. This departure from custom by the association has been necessitated because of the petrol restrictions, the association not anticipating sufficient motor ears being available, and also because the orphan children, in company with all school pupils in the city, are to be entertained by the Ontennial Committee at the mass gathering at Wingatui next Tuesday.

The use of the term “ chain of evidence ” by counsel was challenged by Mr Justice lilair in the Supreme Court at Hamilton (says the Auckland ‘ Herald ’). His Honour, in addressing the jury in connection with a theft charge, said counsel had argued that a chain was only as strong ns its weakest link, and that therefore the Crown case could not stand. His Honour said the expression “ chain of evidence ” was hardly a correct one, for a case was not a scries of links, each wholly dependent on the others. Policemen did not forge evidence or anything else. As applied to evidence, the illustration of a piece of rope, in which some strands supported the others, would be a better one to quote. Twenty thousand luncheon baskets will have to be packed for the “ Schools’ Day ” at Wingatui on Monday nest, according to an announcement by Mr G. H. Fercns at the Dunedin R.S.A. meeting last night. The 11.5. A. was asked to provide 13 men to assist in the morning, afternoon, and evening of that day. Mr Kerens said that the Commercial Travellers’ Association was having trouble in finding a similar quota, while Mr O. L. Kerens remarked that men wore not coming forward from the 11.5. A.

An estimated average yield of .‘l3 bushels an acre is expected from the current season’s wheat crop, as compared with an actual yield last season of 29.40 bushels, according to official figures. The yield of oats is estimated at 44 bushels an acre, and that of barley at 36 bushels, as compared with an actual yield of 47.86 bushels and 40.03 bushels respectively for last season. In accordance with the above estimates, the total yield of wheat for the season 1939-40 should be approximately 8.370.000 bushels, as against an ascertained yield of 5,564,136 bushels for the season 1938-39, The area from which oats were threshed for the live seasons ending with 1938-39 averaged 20 per cent, of the total area under that crop. Assuming that a similar proportion is threshed this year, the total yield of grain should be approximately 2.240.000 bushels, as against a yield of 2,604,817 bushels for the season 1938-39. On a similar assumption in regard to barley, the total yield of grain .should bo approximately 870,000 bushels, as against 1.076,774 bushels for the season 1938-39.

“ It is a wonder that elderly pedestrians falling over raised safety zones have not brought a claim for damages against the City Council,” commented Mr P. W. Breen, president of the Automobile Association (Otago), at_ tho meeting of the executive last night. Mr Breen suggested that the zones should be level with the roadway, as there had been reported a number of cases of persons falling and injuring themselves when hurrying to avoid traffic and catch trnmears. The executive is to approach the City Council and ask it to reform the sides of the zones on a slant to make them safe.

“ Good temper lubricates the machinery of business,” arc words of wisdom displayed in the vestibule loading to the City Valuer’s office at the Town Hall. The advice is timely, as long queues of objectors this morning had a weary wait. When those without appointments at last reached the counter they were informed that Monday was the earliest day upon which an interview could be granted, and as to-mor-row was the last day for possible adjustments by the valuer, it was necessary for these folk to fill in forms for presentation to the court. On the whole, the machinery of business has been fairly well lubricated during the last few trying days, though there have been minor explosions by some property owners who were labouring under a sense of injustice. Nobody, however, has coveted the job of city valuer or that of any of his assistants during the period. An-illustration of the northerly drift of the ocean current along the coast of'the South Island is provided by the experience of residents hear the beach at Rtudbolme. It is a long way from ißlnff to South Canterbury, but lately articles believed to have formed portion of the cargo of the wrecked steamer Waikouaiti have been coming ashore. During the last fortnight or so hardwood posts, cricket bats, and rubber balls have been included in tho spoils washed up by the sea, and eager hands have made certain that this treasure trove has been retained. It is recalled that following the wreck of a steamer at the Nuggets some years ago, anglers at the mouth of the Waitaki (River frequently found crockery bearing the vessel’s name washed up by the waves, although, of course, in a broken condition.

Noisy motor cyclists in the city and suburbs came in for criticism by the executive of tho Automobile Association (Otago) at the meeting last night, and as a result the City Council is to hi; asked to ensure that the traffic department issues no warrants of fitness if it is found that the silencers of machines aro inefficient. The meeting was informed that for some time traffic inspectors had been stationed at different points during tho night and early morning in tho vicinity of the Hospital in an endeavour to detect offenders. The opinion was expressed that the meni bers of the motor cyclist section of tho association were not to blame, but rattier irresponsible youths. Jt was mentioned, too, that a motor cyclist might obtain a warrant of fitness fur his machine because when under tost it could appear efficient because it was not noisy. However, when rapid acceleration was indulged in a deafening noise was the result.

One hundred and forty-six applications for admission to the Royal Now Zealand Air Force had been received •by the Emergency Committee, of the Returned Soldiers’ Association, reported the convener (Mr A. G. Hill) at the meeting last night. These had been forwarded to headcpiarters, and their receipt had been acknowledged. The chairman (Hr 4. M. White) explained that applications had poured in, and the only fair wav of treating them was to send them all to headcpiarters, which could choose the men for personal interviews. Most of those who applied Merc not known personally to the 11.5. A. It was likely that headquarters would interview those thought lit on the next hoard sitting in Dunedin.

The executive of the Dunedin Manufacturers’ Association gave full consideration at a mooting held yesterday to tho suggestion made by the mayor that a whole holiday be observed on Tuesday next, tho 20th inst., on the occasion of tho Schools Day Gentennial celebrations at Wingatui. It was found that there were too many complications involved in different industries to make it feasible to give full effect to the mayor’s suggestion. The decision readied was to recommend members to release employees who are assisting in any official capacity in carrying out the arrangements for the Junction.

Tuesday next will mark the commencement of the third Dunedin wool appraisement. The period of time between the second and third appraisements has not been long, and the quantity of wool put up will be smaller than at’the preceding appraisals. It is expected that the offering will be between 15,000 and 18,000 bales. The fourth appraisement is yset down for April G, and ns this is a'good distance away, it is thought that it will clean up the 1939-40 season. Cancellation of its Quay street meetings for the time being was decided last night by the Auckland Provincial Committee of the Communist Party.—Press Association.

Several Point Chevalier residents claim to have found a new way of combating tho white butterfly pest (says the Auckland ‘Star’). With each cabbage they plant they lay a moth ball on the surface of the ground, claiming that the plant is thus given immunity from attack. When the cabbages grow, these enthusiasts tie another moth ball to one of the leaves near the heart,

So acute has become the scarcity of galvanised roofing iron in Auckland that the Government is distributing 100 tons among merchants- from its reserves at Trentham, which are reported to comprise between 1,500 and 2,000 tons. Authority has been given to increase tho price of this iron by £4, 17s Gd a ton to cover cost of transport.

Laughter reigned at the meeting of the Dunedin Returned Soldiers’ Association last night, when the president (Mr .1. M. White), in asking whether the finance Committee’s report should be adopted, asked his customary question—“ All in favour, gentlemen?”— .and, before a member had had time to say a word —“ The ayes have it.” Members broke into concerted chuckles, while tho president was rather bewildered as to the cause. “ I take Jt silence means consent?” inquired a member to further expressions of amusement.

Tho second express from Invercargill was delayed at Abbotsford yesterday at about 6.10 ip.m. for a quarter of an hour when a spring broke from the firebox on the engine. This resulted in the equaliser being smashed and also the brake control. A sleeper was also torn up and the permanent way was scored for about 20yds. It was fortunate that nothing of a more serious nature happened, as the broken spring was close to the rail and might have caused a derailment. Tho express arrived in Dunedin at 6.45.

Territorial units throughout tho South Island are now undergoing annual camp. At Sutton the 12th Battery is under canvas, haying followed the 14th, Battery, which has completed its period. When the 12th Battery leaves camp on February 17 the 9th Battery, from Christchurch, will occupy the Sutton site, and this will be followed by tho 10th Battery, also from Christchurch, on February 24. The Otago Mounted Rifles will go into camp from March Bto March 17. At Cave, in South Canterbury, >the Otago University Medical Corps will hold its annual camp from February 15 to 24, and will bo followed immediatey by the Ist Otago Regiment and the Dunedin Scottish, which will remain there until March 2.

Corporal punishment was forbidden in schools in most parts of the United States, and as a result discipline suffered, said Mr E. G-. Jones, science lecturer at the Auckland Training College. who returned recently from a year’s visit to New York State, in an address to members of the Auckland Education Board. If a teacher caned a child ho was liable to be charged with assault, he said. As numbers of the schools did not believe in homework, and most of the children had to catch buses after school, the only means of enforcing discipline was by personality. Thus in schools with teachers lacking in this essential quality the standard of teaching suffered, for the children learned only what interested them. Tho speaker contrasted the system with that of New Zealand, pointing out that in Dominion schools the children were made to leam. Thus they were considerably further advanced "than American children.

The City Eire Brigade was called this morning to a shop in George street, where some trouble was caused through a short-circuit. No damage was done. At 12.15 a.m. to-day the Mosgiol Brigade was called to Larnaeh street, where slight damage was done to an outbuilding.

Rates struck in the borough of Green Island last year amounted to £8,486 6s 9d, and of this sum £7,821 12s 5d had been collected by February 7, the last day for payment before the statutory penalty of 10 per cent, was added. This sum represents 92J per cent, of tho total amount, and is fractionally greater than the'sum collected by the last day in 1939. Every endeavour is to be made - to collect tho sum outstanding, £664 14s 4d, before the end of tho borough’s financial year, March 31.

Bacon manufacturers in the Auckland province who have been delivering their product by van in the No. 1 Licensing Authority’s area are to meet in conference concerning the proposed zoning of deliveries to save petrol, states an Association message from Auckland. This conference was deluded on at a meeting of tho authority to-day to consider applications for vehicular licenses. Brewery interests arc also to hold a conference concerning tho delivery of bottled goods, witli tho proposal that more should go by ra i!.

“ The last time the petrol restrictions were brought into force we found it necessary to bring II people before the court for storing more than the amount allowed, but apparently this warning M'as not enough.” said the chief city inspector (.). W. Huggins) in the Christchurch Court, when prosecuting Fran Caruth Renai for storing more than eight and a-half gallons of petrol without a license. A fine of 20s and costs was imposed. Renai had b ’ught 24 gallons prior to the restrictions and stored it in the backyard of his flat, said the inspector.—Press Association. Men More this morning engaged in erecting stands and tan; : to be used in llocd-ligbting tlie Town Hall during next week’s local observance of the New Zealand Centennial. Circles of lamp sockets have already been installed about the Octagon, and now await the insertion of bulbs. These will he the only forms of municipal special lighting during next neck.

The camp library at Burnham will be fully stocked as from to-day (reports tho ‘ Press ’). Six hundred novels were' sent out to Burnham yesterday and it is hoped that another 500 will go out to-day. Members of the staff of the Canterbury Public Library, including Mr E. J. Bell (librarian), will travel to Burnham this evening to put tho library in order. Considerable use is being made of tho library facilities at the camp. Mr Bell was informed last night that there was a strong demand for textbooks on Arabic. . Many wished to become acquainted with the language before, they left New Zealand. Five thousand books and 5,000 magazines are being held in store for the transports which will carry away the second and third echelons. Four hundred novels have recently been given to the lending library at Wigram. Two earthquake shocks were felt in Christchurch and surrounding districts yesterday afternoon. One was at 2.53 o’clock and the other at 3.5 o’clock. They were slight shocks, but their centre was only 21 miles from Christchurch, according to seisraographical readings at the Christchurch Magnetic Observatory. Inquiries by the ‘ Press ’ at the observatory showed that although it was possible to ascertain the distance of the shock it was not possible to ascertain the direction. The observatory has instruments which can show tl;e direction of long-distance earthquakes, but lacks those to show the direction of short-distance earthquakes. With these the distance oulv can be determined. The result is that tho location can bo determined only by reports of tho severity of the shock from varying districts. The shock was reported to have been severe in New Brighton ; in Raugiora the first shock was sufficiently severe to cause persons in shops and offices to run into tin: street. In many buildings electric lights and ornaments swayed. The prospects of a heavy yield of produce from the areas under cultivation in the Invercargill City Council’s produce-growing scheme, looked upon a few weeks ago as exceptionally- good, have now faded (says the ‘ Southland Times ’). The heavy rain of the last two weeks has left its mark on most of the crops, and, according to the superintendent of reserves (Mr B. P. Mansfield), some of them may not recover sufficiently to be useful. There was no business to require the attention of the magistrate in the Police Court tills morning.

Under the auspices of the Otago Labour Representation Committee a meeting of protest, against recent ratin'* valuations of city property will be held in (he Town Hall to-morrow. Several speakers will put the rase for ratepayers of the city, ami (he support of all concerned is earnestly requested.