Liner’s Cruise Cancelled.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 296, 13 November 1937, Page 8

Liner’s Cruise Cancelled.

The world cruise of the Nord Deutscher liner, I3renian, which piovidcd for calls at Milford Sound, Wellington, and Auckland, h:*i been definitely cancelled, according to cabled advice received by the Auckland agents.— Press Association.

Local Body Amalgamation. The resignation of local body members as a protest against the Government’s amalgamation proposals was suggested at a meeting of the Egmont County Council, when vigorous opposition to the scheme was expressed. It was contended that unless there was strong and united opposition to the proposals there would soon be only two counties in Taranaki, instead of ten. The council decided to call another conference of local bodies within the county area and the Opunake borough with a view to considering some scheme of internal amalgamation. Ethics or Fear?

Open hostilities between one country and another iu pre-war days, stated Dr. G. H. Seholefield, 0.8. E., during an address to the Manawatu branch of the lloyal Society last, evening, were invariably the culmination to a succession of events, though Italy had shocked the world by her swift action in the seizure of Tripoli from Turkey in 1912. . Why there should have been almost a tradition of immunity then from such attacks was difficult to understand, thocu'i the reason might have been purely . ethical. Possibly, however, there had been a fear of provoking an opposition alliance, and in those days there was, a fair measure of collective security, compared with the feeling of collective insecurity today. There was, of course, that wicked institution known as the balance of liower, for which there were constant diplomatic manoeuvrings, some with unholy gravitations. But for the situation and standards of those days, China might have 'suffered 25 years ago the invasion she was experiencing, to-da.v.

A Mayor’s Car. A new car lias been procured for the Mayor of Christchurch, Mr J. W. Beanland, at a cost of £llOO. It replaces a car which has travelled 100,000 miles in the service of the city. The new car was christened when the Mayor attended the Canterbury Jockey Club’s meeting at Riecarton. Universal Half-day? * Mr O. H. Burnett, M.P. for Tauranga, in a letter to Mr H. H. Wood, of Te Aroha, has enclosed an extract from a letter received from Mr H. T. Armstrong (Minister of Labour) who states: “I have to say that I anticipate introducing later in this session a Shops and Offices Bilj, and it is proposed in connection with this legislation to introduce the question of a universal half-holiday.” Rough Roads.

“I have never seen so many corrugations on our macadam roads at this season of the year as there are at the present time,” said Cr C. P. Jensen at yesterday’s meeting of the Horowhenua County Council. “Motoring in light cars is really unpleasant,” ho added, “and with the busy holiday season ahead the loads must become worse.” The engineer (Mr J. T. M. Brewster) said the continual dry weather accounted for the position, and the difficulty was not peculiar to Horowhenua. They had a new grader arriving and the roads would soon be back to normal. Powers of Intellect.

Describing the swiftness of changes in political economy and international outlook in the last decade, Dr G. H. Scholefield, 0.8. E., of Wellington, during an address to the Manawatu branch of the Itoyal Society last evening, stated that for i thousands of years man had moved at an average speed of four miles an hour, and the world had metaphorically crawled about on its hands and knees. Rapidly, however, the speed of communications had developed, and now speech and, to a great extent, vision were instantaneous. It was just a question whether the human intellect had been able to appreciate sufficiently the significance of the swift changes within ono generation. Instead of shouting to a crowd in a hall, demagogs, both good and bad, to-day whispered to millions by their firesides. It was producing a mob psychology. Beach Lighting. “It is quite obvious that the time has arrived when we will have to go into the matter of street lighting at all our seaside resorts,” said the chairman (Cr G. A. Monk) at yesterday’s meeting of the Horowhenua County Council, when a request was received from the Waitarere Domain Board for the erection of four lights at street intersections. “The trouble,” Cr Monk added, “is that we finish up with about one light for every permanent resident. Only in the holiday season do they serve a real purpose.” It was decided that the engineer get in touch with the Power Board and report on the matter. A Plucky Rescue.

Two boys, aged 10, were saved from drowning in the Hautapu River on Thursday by the courageous and skilful action of James Beaton, aged 14, a son of Constable Beaton, Taihape, and formerly of Palmerston North. David Martin, John Finlayson and Peter Kincaid were bathing near the children’s playground in Papakai Road, Taihape, when Martin, who is unable to swim, got out of liis depth and disappeared. Finlayson immediately went to his assistance, but being a very poor swimmer was soon in difficulties himself. Both boys were under the water when they were rescued by Beaton, who was swimming in another part of the river at the time and was called to the scene by Kincaid. Peer Hay Crops.

Following the recent spell of dry weather, liay crops in the Horowhenua district show indications of a very poor yield. Paddocks which, were shut up in September show very stunted growth, and even with improved conditions will not be ready for cutting until after Christmas. Comment was made on the matter at yesterday’s meeting of the Horowhenua County Council, when the question of seasonal work for unemployed was being discussed. “We could usually offer haymaking,” said the chairman (Cr G. A. Monk), “but on present indications there won’t be a decent crop to harvest.”

Covenants Never Implemented. “It is fashionable nowadays, and unavoidable, to ask what is the responsibility of the League of Nations,” stated JDr G. 'H. Scholefield, 0.8. E., of Wellington, when speaking at the annual meeting of the Manawatu branch of the Royal Society last evening on the present confusing conditions of international affairs. He commented that the League had done valuable work in the social sphere, but had not been so successful in the political and economical spheres. Adjustments which, it was admitted now, should have been made, giving nations the right of access to raw materials, had been provided for in the League Covenant, but unfortunately had never been implemented. Collective security might have been mado possible on the basis of satisfactory assurances of an economic future for different nations through compliance with the Covenants.

Tokomaru Bridge. The bridge over the Tokomaru Stream on No. 60 highway is in a very bad state of repair, and at yesterday’s meeting of the Horowhenua County Council the engineer was asked to have temporary repairs effected. Cr L. H. Best said that recently a motorist had an unenviable experience on the bridge. A loose plank flew up and became jambed between the steering gear and the axle, throwing the car out of control. Fortunately he was not travelling fast and no one was injured. The epgineer (Mr J. T. M. Brewster) said that the bridge was condemned and was to be replaced by the Highways Board under its reconstruction scheme. The council had tried to spend as little on it as possible. “We had better toll the Highways Board to hurry on with the job,” said Cr Best.