PRIMARY PRODUCERS AND THE "COMMANDEER."

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIV, Issue 805, 7 September 1923, Page 4

PRIMARY PRODUCERS AND THE "COMMANDEER."

AS Oamaru farmer, writing to a Wellington paper, makes the suggestion that, as Mr Massey has undertaken to make representations to the British Government in connection with the losses the gold-miners sustained as a result of the prohibition against the export of the precious metal during the war, he should also endeavour to obtain for. the farmers of this Dominion condensation in respect of the commandeered produce. We should be sorry to think that the view the Oamaru gentleman takes of the Prime Minister's responsibilities, in that direction are shared by any considerable proportion of our producing commun-1 lty. Most people are agreed that the | purchases arranged between the Im-' perial authorities and Mr Massey, on i behalf of the New Zealand producers, proved of material benefit' to the latter, and that they could not have been better served than they were. Except with the co-operation of the Imperial authorities, it would have been impossible for more than a tithe of our surplus products t 6 have been; markoted overseas. The farmer ran no risks in the matter;.as soon as his produce was handed over to the Imperial Supplies Department here in New Zealand he received his cheque; the authorities took charge of the produce they had purchased from him, and it was shipped, wherever it was required, at their risk and expense, losses in transit (and they were considerable) being borne by the Imperial Government. The prices paid were, generally .speaking! regarded as so satisfactory that in ' this and other districts primary producers gave large sums out of what they regarded as "war profits" to patriotic purposes. It seems rather late in .the day for the plea to be now raised that the farmer is entitled to receive more for his produce than was paid him, and that Mr Massey should worry the British authorities to obtain additional payments on his behalf. The mere fact that producers in the Argentine and Canada secured better terms for their produce affords no justification for the reopening of the case for the New Zealand farmer, who, after all, supplied merely a tithe of the British Government's requirements for the army, navy and auxiliary forces, and for the civilian population of the Home Country. There are grounds for saying that the Imperial authorities would have preferred to have drawn supplies from countries nearer at hand, and more particularly from Canada, the United States, the West Indies and the Argentine, and such other South American countries as were open to her, because of the quicker despatch secured; a ship, for instance, being able to make two or three trips to and from the Argentine, against one from New Zealand, so that freight charges, etc., were . necessarily higher on New - Zealand than oh American produce. Hitherto it has been generally accepted that one of the best things done for and by New -Zealand during the war was in respect of what has been, and is still, improperly termed.tho "commandeer." ' Ihe only ''commandeer" which really affected New Zealand was that made by the Admiralty, when it assumed control of a}l shipping on British registers mid diverted vessels from their accustomed trade routes to other channels for the conveyance of troops, munitions and supplies. With the shipping under, its oontrol, the Imperial Supplies Department could arrange with the Admiralty for vessels to be sent, wherever it was necessary to pick up supplies, and if some such arrangement as .that effected by Mr. Massey with the British Government for the purchase of our surplus produce had not been come to, it is a well recognised jfact that our. producers would have fared very badly. It savours of extreme Ungraciousness, therefore, for any question to he now raised concerning the fairness, or otherwise, of the arrangements entered into by Mr Massey with the Imperial authorities, which resulted in payments, through the Imperial Supplies Department, of £158,676,644 to our primary producers during the years oyer which those ararrangements extended,

Tho Masterton Racing Club has decided that the race meeting shall commence in future at 11.30 a.m. .

Mr Hicksohs mission, referred to at the parish social -on Wednesday evening, will commence at Auckland on October Ist. Mr Hickson will be in Palmerston North on Oct6b<Jr24th afld 25th. A native in the witness box at the last sitting of the Magistrate's Court in Ohakune said his boy was too weak to work. "But," said the native, "he plenty strong for the football."

It Was mentioned at yesterday's meeting of (ho Dairy Fanners' Union that accommodation was being; provided at the L'ongburh freezing works for the handling of pigs on a pig scile, and a month hence would find operations in full swing. A number of valuable dogs belonging to persons who reside at St. Kilda, Dunedin, have be\sn poisoned, also a number of cats, and one mftfl who owns a well-bred retriever is so anxious to preserve its life that he takes it to town with him every day. ■■

"It is considered a very serious thing in your country, is it not, for people not to pay their debts," asked counsel of a bankrupt Assyrian who applied lor his discharge in the Supreme .Court yesterday. "Yes." replied the bankrupt, "it is considered the worst thing that can happen to anybody." Eulogistic reference to the pioneer work don 6 by Mr T. ■ R. Hbddef, retiring president, of the Northern Bowling, Croquet and Tennis Club, was made at the annual meeting of that'organisation fast night, by Mr, I). H. Beattie. Mr Hodder was accorded a heartv vot3 of thanks, which was* carried by acclamation.

Don't throw away an idea because it seems, very "simple." Fortunes were made from the safety-pin, penknife, boot-protec-tor/ etc. If tyou iiiive an idea for ah in? vcntion, come and discuss its protection and development with us now. Henry Hughes, Ltd?; patent attorneys, 157 FeathersWh street Wellington.—Advt, One of fashions : .rtew«fst i conceits is thft Coatee, knitted in heavy silk. Sleeves are new—they're the long, grnccful kind that tie at tho \VYisi' TMy ill hA've smart polo collars? showing in maize, creme, saxe, rose 'and putty for 78s 5d net cash. "The C„ M. Rosi 06, !>&*• Advt;

A bountiful supply of eela is to be found in the ornamental ponds skirting the margin of the Auckland Domain.

At yesterday's ; meeting of the N.Z, Farmers' Dairy Union the Rt. Hon. W. F. Massny was appointed an honorary lite member. '

For breaking 240 telegraph • insulatora several small boyi were 'jrought before tho Court yesterday at Dargaville,' and were" reprimanded. Their parents' were ordered to pay tho costs.

Butter was advanced to-day by one penny per pound in Auckland. It is now quoted wholesale at superfine Is 53d, fine- grades Is 4d, second grade,ls 3d, and retail at 1» Bd, Is 7d and Is 6d' respectively.

"t confidently expect to see one -thousand mote cows milked in this district during the coming season than during the season iuit closed,' commented the'chairman of' aGi»« bprno dairy company, recently. The old pupils of the Bulls District High School have decided to erect a memorial to former scholars of the school who lost their lives in the Great War.

Two first offending inebriates, who oppeared before Mr E. H. Crabb, J.P., at the Police Court this morning, were' convicted and discharged. ' ' • The telephone exchange at Paraparaumu is rapidly nearing completion, 'and will opes this week with 25 subscribers. The whole work should be completed at the end of the month.'

Sir William Wyndham, _Mr James Wig* * nail, Major-General' Wauchope and Mis? 1 Gladys Pott, members of the British over* seas settlement delegation, are passengers ■ by tho Niagara, which sailed frota'Sydney for New Zealand yesterday.,

The Hector Observatory reports that a moderate sized sunspot jroup is at present visible. The group, which has just passed the central meridian, has been wider observation since September Ist, during which time it has increased in sue..

"Do- you gamble on nOrseracing or cards," inquired counsel of a ■bankrupt who applied for his discharge from bankruptcy at tho Supreme Court yesterday. "Gamble,' queried the bankrupt, "Oh, no, I iwas once in business, and that was .a.bijr enough gamble for me.*'

"Racing clubs are the best cows in Mr Massey's nerd,", was a remark .made at tha Waipa Racing Club's annual meeting. IS was mentioned that taxation totalled £l4o* for "five hours' fun." The . Waipa club has only a one-day permit, and lost money on last season's operations.

The Auckland City, Council has accepted a tender for 50 additional workers' houses, to be erected at Grey Lynn within twelve months, with brick on the edge of the external walls, for £SB,BSD, or £777 each. The engineer estimates the cost of a new road, power and drainage at £3OOO, an average of £6O per dwelling.—Press Association. A complaint has been received by the police from a local resident that on Wed nesday a man used improper language to his nine-year-old daughter. It is stated that the unknown individual assisted the child to adjust the ehjain of her bicycle, later allegedly' using the language complained of. The police have the matter in hand. ■ ■

An Auckland message states that no further trouble has occurred following the outbreak of fire in the crossbunkers of the steamer Westmoreland. Yesterday the vessel was removed to an anchorage where a start was made to discharge 400 tons of coal from the bunkers. Today she will take in fresh bunkers, and when .bunkering has been completed tho steamer will sail immediately for New York, etc. At a meeting of the St. Andrew's Societv, Invercargill, the Chief (Mi. J. L. McG. Walson) made his appearance in kilts. "I don't offer any apology for appearing in Highland costume—in fact, I shall apologise for not wearing it before," he stated. "One of the aims of the society is to -encourage the wearing of the kilt. This is not, perhaps, a suitable night fbl* them/mrd I -was rather cold coming along here, but I've warmed up again now." (Laughter).

When reference is made to the carrying capacity of a farming property, it is generally meant to refer to the .amount of stock it will cary. At the Assessment Court at Mataura counsel was putting up his case for a property down Waimahaka way In doing so he referred te a property tha'. was carrying four mortgages, and the fact that the holder of the fourth one would gladly accept a £5 note for his interest ir the concern.

"The Bankruptcy Act was designed to relievo people from their debts, and it was also designed to relieve people from the misery oi struggling to pay off a mountain of debt which would make them more or less useless members of society. That is the object of the Bankruptcy Aqt—to enable debt-ridden people to cope with their difficulties and be useful members of the community."—Mr Justice addressing counsel during the hearing ot a petition for discharge from bankruptcy in the Supreme Court yesterday.

Of two applicants recommended for a teachership in a country School in the Nelson district, one is a married woman who was formerly in the service 'of the Education Board. At a meeting of the board last week the chairman, Mr. f. W. Smith, said he objected on to any married woman being appointed'while she had it husband who should maintain her, and thus shutting out younger'teachers. -He had a .great regard for the applicant's capabilities as a teacher, but 'there was principlb involved. It was Tesolved that the appointment be given to the other 'applicant. Mr T. M. Wilford (Leader of the Opposition) referring to the J Government's new electoral measure, said his party "looked for a horse to see us over the arid desert of representation as it stands at present. They have produced for U 3 a piebald horse. I am prepared to admit that a piebald horse is better than none for a long journey, but we are disappointed with the legislation produced, because we stand for proportional legislation, with the maintenance of the country quota, and the bill provides for proportional representation in the towns and preferential voting in the country districts, including this electorate. To the Liberals of'New Zealand, I want to say that .proportional representation in the cities is part payment of what we have de-manded,butnot-payment- -in-full". Iha bill now brougnt forward was part proportional representation and ipait '.preferential voting, and the Liberal-Labour Party was prepared to support it, because it was something better than the present system, and they would back up any ad- ' vanee on the existing electoral methods. The Opposition would, therefore, help to put the bill on the Statute Book, and ho gWe notice to the country that when 'it came into poweV it would carry out the rest of the programme, providing for the maintenance of the country quota."

A ouchre and dartce evening, in aid of St Patrick's Church bazaar fund, was held last night in the Foresters' Hall when the accommodation was, taxed to the.utmost. A big section of "those pTe&h't engaged in a progressive euchre tournament and following keen competition Miss Seivert and Mr R Williams were declared -.the -dinners, while Mrs Edyvean and Mr R. MoKay were awarded the consolation prizes, banding to music supplied by Messrs Paul and Cosgrove proved most enjoyable. Mis 3 Spelman and Mr M. Rosanoski also assisted at the piano, while -the -last-named wjjs m;c. . . ; ''

A reminder is given of the S&ndon Bull* ShOw, to be 'held 6n 's««&# <h*tt ait the Town Hall. An entertainment will be held in the evening.

A new shipment of the 'beautiful "Burlington" silk hosiery at Collinson and Cunninghame's is evoking warm appreciation. Made to fit from toe to tip of pure silk with wide double, lisle tops, full fashioned leg, "reinforced feet White, black, nigger, browns, '.-luHrv mid grey, putty, beaver, lfe ! 6d F«if. With silk leg, 10s 9d.a-Adyt.''.. ■..:.'. ■ C . > i ' For gifts the recipients will appreciate more and more as the years go by; have frdft carefully considered our choice china? Such examples as we show to-day include ftbbfcfoft, R&yil'.Wtireejtet, Crown Derby, Royal Doulton, Carltdn, the quaint Parisian pfltteW Called poteries d' art, Bazanta, Utrecht and others. Articles useful and beautiful ore here by hundreds ih this cKbice china. ' 'CoilinSbn ulfd fioh itiVite «Mir inspection.—Advt

For broncliial coughs, take Woods' Great' •PetSSl'mm Uiire.-AdvW -