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Evening Star, Issue 26043, 6 March 1947, Page 6

The American icebreaker, Burton Island, sailed from Port Chalmers at the scheduled time, 5 p.m. yesterday. She will enter Wellington with the remaining units of the central task force on Friday morning.

Unusual developments occurred, at the opening of the Blenheim sessions of the Supreme Court, which are being presided over by Mr Justice Fleming. Frederick Gould, a coastal seaman, who was released on bail on December 10 pending his trial on a charge of rape, did not appear when his name was called, and a warrant for his arrest was issued. The Crown Prosecutor stated that a condition of the accused’s bail was that he should report weekly to the police in Wellington, but the last occasion on which he reported was January 17, and nothing was yet known of his whereabouts.

Strong objection to the action of the New Plymouth High Schools Board in asking for the annulment ,of the regulations that prohibit conscientious objectors from teaching in schools was expressed at a meeting of the executive of the New Plymouth Returned Services’ Association. A resolution that letters should be written to both the Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, and the Minister of Education, Mr (Mason, deploring the attitude of the board was passed without dissent.

Nine people lost their lives in road accidents last month as compared with 14 in February, 1946. This was stated last night by the Commissioner of Transport, Mr G. L. Laurenson. “Cyclists are again figuring prominently in the road accident statistics,” Mr Laurenson said. “ I have asked the traffic inspectors to "make a check upon bicycles, to ensure that their equipment complies- with the regulations. The .requirements are an efficient rear brake, a red rear lamp or reflector, a white patch of at least 12 square inches in the rear, and also a bell. If the cycle is used at night a lamp showing a white light to the front must be fitted.”

Milk will not be delivered to over half the homes in Auckland next Sunday morning unless the employers de-cide-4n the meantime to meet the demand made by roundsmen for the payment -of double time for Sunday work. An ultimatum to this effect was presented, either orally or in writing, by delegates who waited on their respective employers on Monday, following a meeting of the roundsmen’s union at the end of last week. The exclusion of provision for payment of double time on Sundays has been a sore point with milk roundsmen since their current award was issued by the Court of Arbitration in July of last year. This award is due to expire on July 31. Press Association. f

The whole object was an attempt to find out what was best for New Zealand’s industrial welfare in the future, said the Leader of the National Party, Mr Holland, following a, two-day. sitting of a special committee of National Members of Parliament. The sitting represented the first stage of an investigation into' current industrial problems and trends in New Zealand. When the results of this and other allied investigations are completed and reported to a full party caucus on March 27 and 28, a statement will be made. One subject giving special concern was rapidly-increasing use of intimidation to force settlements .to 'the satisfaction of .complaining parties, he said. The committee was also examining the increased cost of production and the resultant higher cost of living due to a reduction m industrial efficiency. What was perhaps most important was the breakdown of the machinery for, the examination of complaints and the settlement of disputes. During last night the yard office of the Westport Coal Co. Ltd., Birch street, was entered, and £l, the property of an employee, taken. Entry was gained to the office through a back door, which was forced open.

All primary schools throughout Otago will be closed from noon tomorrow as a mai'k of respect to the memory of the late Mr James Wallace, 0.8. E., who was chairman of the Otago Education Board for nearly 30 years. Headmasters and sole teachers will make reference to their pupils to the long and oustanding service to education of the late Mr Wallace.

“ Fifty per cent, of the time of the records staff is being wasted by applicants for J Force who are under age. The deadline is 19 on March 31 this year, and a very careful check is made, even to the extent, of asking for birth certificates in eases'of doubt,” was a statement made by a member of the Army Department to-day. The total number of offers of service so far is now 105, and medical boards are conducting their examinations. Of the number so far examined, 32 have been pronounced fit and ready for camp. The Wanganui provincial executive of the Federated Farmers intends making a test case of the impending prosecution of shearers and shed hands on charges of working on Sunday, according eto a statement made by the president of the executive. The decision follows the imposition of fines on three shearers and two shed hands in the Magistrate’s Court this week. Mr H. J. Donnelly, the executive’s president, said the farmers were so perturbed by the proceedings that they intended to make a test case of a forthcoming prosecution to determine “ just how far responsible employees arid employers have to allow union officialdom to dictate their policy to the detriment of all concerned in primary industry.” —Press Association.

The election of- a North Dunedin Licensing Committee, made necessary by the alteration in the electoral boundaries, will _be held on Tuesday next. Those eligible to vote are people whose names appear on the North Dunedin electoral roll, and those whose names appear on the Oamaru electoral roll, but _ who live in Port Chalmers. As is the case .with a General Election, the hotels in the electorate are required by Act of Parliament to remain closed during the hours of polling. The New Zealand Shipping Company’s vessel (Rimutaka arrived at Wellington from the United Kingdom via Panama at 9.30 a.m. to-day. Passengers for the South Island have been provided with iccommodation on the steamer express Itangatira to-uight, and will arrive in Dunedin Jo-morrow,