GENERAL NEWS THE POLITICAL AUCTION BLOCK

Greymouth Evening Star, 3 August 1946, Page 4

GENERAL NEWS THE POLITICAL AUCTION BLOCK

“If we reduce our elections to the level of a sale by auction, at which the .Government of our country is to be handed over to the highest bidder, we shall be false to our trust and we shall be playing a selfish part in the destruction of our democratic system of government,” said Mr R. M.'Algie, M.P. for Remuera, at.a rally of junior branches of the National Party in the Wellington metropolitan area. The right to vote, Mr Algie said, was a privilege secured, by the efforts and sacrifices of other generations. They must not assume that the survival of democracy was a certainty. Its existence depended upon the aims, aspirations, and outlook of the people. The philosophy of Labour had been one of materialism, which made an appeal to the self-interest of the individual. With its emphasis on wages, hours of work and conditions of labour, it was the easiest thing in the world to sell. People liked to be told what they were going to get; they were not so easily interested in what it was their duty to give.

Fine for Drunkenness. Arrested in Mawhera Quay at 9 o’clock last evening, on a charge of drunkenness, a first offender was fined 10/-, the amount of his bail, by Mr. W. P. Hambleton, J.Pz, in the Police Court at Greymouth this morning.

Badge-throwing Incident, i A letter addressed by Mr. W. Julius Hyde, who was responsible for the badge-throwing incident in the House of Representatives, to all members of the Legislature, states that in view of the circumstances of his suspension and the subsequent announcement of his reinstatement in the State HydroElectric Department, he feels unable to' accept this reinstatement.—(P.A.)

Grand National Race Meeting. The Canterbury Jockey Club’s Grand National meeting which opened at Riccarton to-day, attracted many West Coast followers of the sport to Christchurch. Normal rail services during the past two days have been well patronised, while the rail-car last evening was heavily booked. The perishable goods train which left Greymouth for Christchurch last evening carried more than. 100 passengers, two extra carriages having to be attached.

Noumea-Sydney Service. The American Civil Aeronautics Board has given authority to Pan American Airways to operate a service from Noumea to Sydney. This authority does not give Pan American Airways the right to land in Australia, but it is expected this formality will be overcome after negotiations between the American and Australian Governments.. It will be some weeks before the Noumea-Sydney service is begun. Douglas DC-4 Clippers, which are used between Auckland and San Francisco, will fly on the service.—(P.A.)

“Ambassador for New Zealand” “In Wales there was some fierce forward play,” said Colonel A. H. Andrews, manager of the Kiwi Rugby team, at the civic reception tendered to the party in Dunedin. In one match a fiery member of the team had been annoyed by his opponents. He tried to be quiet for a long time, but eventually he was seen out in the open with a Welshman by the scruff of the neck, and the Welshman also had him by the scruff of the neck. Then, to the surprise and delight of the other members of the side, they heard the New Zealand forward say: “Go on, get away back. I am an ’ambassador’ for New Zealand!”

Acting Chief Justice. Sir Archibald Blair, senior puisne judge of the Supreme Court of New Zealand, is now Acting-Chief Justice. He assumed that position on the retirement of Sir Michael Myers by virtue of the Judicature Act, 1908, which states that during any vacancy in the office of Chief Justice, the senior judge in New Zealand shall be deemed to be the principal judicial officer of New Zealand, and shall be authorised to act as Chief Justice and to execute the duties of that office, and to exercise all powers which may be lawfully exercised by the Chief Justice. Sir Archibald Blair is at present presiding at the quarterly sittings of the Supreme Court in Christchurch.

Government Centre. A suitable site for the location of the proposed government centre in Greymouth was the subject of an investigation by Mr. John Cox, a member of the Town Planning Board, Wellington, during a visit to the district this week. Requests to have the many government offices in the town centralised in one building have been made on numerous occasions during the past year or more, but this is the first time that Greymouth’s claims in this respect have received more than the usual “consideration at the earliest possible date,” by a technical sub-committee of the Government Centres Committee. Mi’- Cox, it is understood, will recommend the most suitable site available for acquisition. Look forward to delightful tracking, entirely new scenery by the Society’s expert, Ballets, Dudes, Bridesmaids and the regular outstanding orchestra, which will combine with the talented well-trained cast of principals in making a grand spectacle, when the curtain rises at the Regent Theatre for “Our Miss Gibbs,” a scintillating musical comedy, on August 12. Given the support it deserves, the Greymouth Operatic Society should have packed houses for the six nights and two matinees to follow. —Advt.

“Our Miss Gibbs” will startle the natives when the curtain goes up at the Regent Theatre, on Monday, August 12 for a season of one full week, with matinees on Wednesday and Saturday. It is a delightful musical comedy presentation by the Greymouth Operatic Society, and the proceeds are to go to the Benevolent Fund of the Greymouth R-rSIA. — Advt.

Intending patrons for the sparkling musical comedy, “Our Miss Gibbs,’ are warned that when bookings ppen at the Regent Theatre on Monday next from 10 a.m. till 5 p.m. daily, there will on no account be any telephone reservations permitted. This will apply throughout the season. Book your seats early. Honorary financial members are invited to assist the society with their presence on opening night Monday, August 12, it possible.—Advt. Men’s Sports Coats. The finest selection in town. All shades and sizes, ranging from 72/3. —C. Smith s. —Advt. .... . .......