DOMINION NEWS

Grey River Argus, 19 October 1943, Page 6

DOMINION NEWS

FURLOUGH MEN’S RAILWAY PASSES AUCKLAND, Oct. 18. Railway passes issued to men on | furlough from the Middle East expired on October 14. Mr. A. P. i’Postlewaite, Auckland R.S.A. President, said the men had been given an extension of leave, but their passes evidently had not been extended. As they would naturally consider an extension of leave would imply extended rail facilities, doubtless some would be unaware of the actual position and might find themselves in difficulties when required to return. He suggested the use of passes should be continued to enable them to report back to their bases. The Government should give authority to the Railways Department to validate travel, lie said.

SUGAR RATIONING. WELLIN Gi. Gin, Oct. 18. A continuation of the system of registration of consumers tor sugar was announced to-day by the Food and Rationing Controller (Mr. J. E. Thomas). No one 'is obliged to register with the same retailer as belore, as new registration provides the periodic opportunity for a change, but lit is desirable -that all books of the family should be registered at the same shop. Tea and sugar coupons Un the new book will become available on November 1, and clothing coupons on December 1, I PEAK HOUR TRAM TRAFFIC. Oct. 18. Workers’ badges will be issued by the Auckland Transport Board for all workers using trams, if authority for this action is given by the Government, A decision to this effect was made by the Board, this morning. The proposal included the levying of a penal fare of threepence on all : travellers not possessing badges who use trams in peak hours. 't he badge will be in the form of a button attached to the lapek MINESWEEPER LAUNCHED. AUCKLAND, October 16. The first steel minesweeper and the biggest steel ship to be built in Auckland was launched from the Marine Department’s construction yards this morning in the presence of a laro-e gathering, including Commodore K. Dowding, R.N., and the Attorney-General (Mr. Mason). After the christening of the vessel, which was named Waikato, Commodore Dowding said the launching was further evidence of naval self-reliance. Every warship built in the Dominion had jnore than local significance. It was a contribution to the stupendous shipbuilding programme of the United Nations. Mr. Mason said that the Waikato was the eleventh minesweeper built in New Zealand and the seventh allsteel unit. Her measurements were 125 feet long, 23i feet wide, and 131 feet deep.