DOMINION NEWS

Grey River Argus, 18 August 1944, Page 2

DOMINION NEWS

OPOSSUM PROBLEM. P.A. WELLINGTON, August 17. The Government has suggested _ a conference of all the acclimatisation societies in New Zealand to consider the removal of protection from opossums on the grounds of the damage done to young afforestation plantations, the fruit industry, and other mischief, including interference with electrical circuits. The matter was discussed by the Wellington Society, last night, representation on the conference being considered. The question was raised that the elimination of opossums would destroy the prospects of a valuable industry.

FARM LABOUR FROM THE FORCES.

P.A. WELLINGTON, August 17. Hon. A. McLagan stated a temporary shortage of farm labour in certain districts was entirely due to tne neglect of the farmers themselves ro submit applications for labour well in advance. At the end of June only 3,300 had been applied for. Arrangements had been then concluded to have about 3,800 experienced farm workers back in the Dominion. tO‘ begin, work about the middle of August. In addition, 450 inexperienced men who volunteered for farm work nad returned, and 650 more experienced men were due this month. During July, farmers made 1,200 late applications, and they were still being received, so a temporary shortage seemed inevitable because the quota of farm workers from the Pacific had been, reduced by 2,000 in view of tne lack of demand earlier. The War Cabnet approved the transfer from tne Army to the essential group for farm work of any experienced dairy, sheep or agricultural farm workers at present in New Zealand.on furlough from the Pacific, and who could reasonably be released by the Army. Any men m this category who were willing to return to farm work should make application to the nearest Manpower Officer.

Negotiations were under way to obtain the release of farm workers from th? Air Force within New Zealand. , The Minister of Rehabilitation (Hon. C. F. Skinner) said home servicemen stated that 25,000 servicemen and 22 000 home servicemen had been demobilised, and the proportion of necessitious cases was larger than generally realised. They asked direct representation by those who understood home servicemen’s needs on the Rehabilitation Board. The Minister said no organisation had direct representation on the Board. He had agreed to allow the Association representation on the Rehabilitation Council, and the question of representation on district rehabilitation committees would be considered. ELEPHANT DIES. P.A. . WELLINGTON, August 16. Nellikutha, the Wellington Municipal Zoo elephant, died yesterday at 230 p.m. She had been'ill for eleven days. - Seventeen years ago the Madras Government made a present of her to the City Council. She had given pleasure to thousands of Wellington children and, in the process, paid for her keep.