DOMINION NEWS

Grey River Argus, 17 September 1941, Page 1

DOMINION NEWS

MENINGITIS IN WELLINGTON. WELLINGTON, September 16. Three cases of meningitis were reported in Wellington central area during the past week, making’ twelve cases in four months, of which three have been fatal. Two cases are tn the city area, one a baby boy aged five months, a second a youth of 17, and a third a man aged 32, who has come from the Auckland district. As far as could be ascertained, there was no possible connection between the three cases. “There is no sign of the northern epidemic having spread here,” said Dr. Smith. “One can expect these sporadic cases at any time Infection may be carried in the nose and throat and the only thing to do is to avoid overcrowding and, where possible, close contact with fellow humans.” PRICE FIXATION. AUCKLAND, September 15. “Only in the last resort will the Government meet the position by subsidising; but provision for subsidies is definitely expected to be required in some cases,” states the Minister of Finance (Mr. _ Nash), when dealing with the stabilisation of prices in a letter received by the Auckland Manufacturers’ Association. “It is not possible to indicate what lines will be followed in regard to any particular items, as no general practice can be laid down,” added the letter. “In a large number of cases it will be possible lor increases in prices to be absorbed or set off against economies that could arise from rationalisation of the industry.” The Government intended to appoint a committee at an early date to administer its policy of stabilisation and to advise the Government on general procedure with each commodity. MOTOR CAR. VICTIM. AUCKLAND, September 16. Knocked down by a motor-car in Newton, yesterday afternoon, Neil Slight, 16* printer's' apprentice, Baildon Road, Grey Lynn, suffered severe concussion, and died in the hospital last night. The driver of the car was Constable R. Wilkes, of the iKingsland Police Station. £3O OPIUM FINE. CHRISTCHURCH, September 15. Before Mr. E. C Levvey, .S.M., Georgie Lee, a market gardener, aged 40, pleaded guilty to a charge of having been found on September 14 in possession of a pipe and other utensils used for the smoking of opium. A charge of having smoked prepared opium was withdrawn after a plea of not guilt}' had oeen entered. Lee, through an interpreter, said that he was not actually smoking the pipe, but only warming it to obtain an opium extract to relieve pain. He had been suffering for some time from the severe effects of an illness. Lee was lined £3O, in default imprisonment for three months, and an order was made for the confiscation of the smoking utensils. ANTI-ALIEN POLICY. WELLINGTON, September 16. The following resolution was unanimously carried at a meeting of the Hawke’s Bay Hospital Board: “That no alien of enemy origin be allowed access to the Board’s institutions for the duration of the war, unless in the case of entering as a patient.” MAKOGAI LEPERS IN NEED. WELLINGTON, September 16. A grant of £5O for the third year in succession has been made from the Art Union Funds bv the Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr. Parry) to the Makogai Lepers (N.Z.) Trust Beard, Christchurch. “Judged from its worth, service, and humanity,” said Mr. Parry, “the Makogai Leper Station merits the full and sympathetic support of the public." THOMAS BRACKEN’S GRAVE. DUNEDIN, September 16 A; suggestion to raise a itind for

the nerpetual upkeep of the grave or Thomas Bracken, author of “Not Understood,” and the Dominion’s national song, “God Defend New Zealand,” was made by the Mayor of Dunedin (Mr. Allen) last evening. Mr. Allen stated that the City Council had hitherto undertaken to keep the grave in order, but ne felt sure the people of the Dominion would subscribe to raise a sum to provide for it in perpetuity. He suggested a sum up to £250.