Manawatu Daily Times Praise for Prime Minister

Manawatu Times, Volume LVI, Issue 5581, 20 February 1931, Page 6

Manawatu Daily Times Praise for Prime Minister

Doubtless tlie Prime Minister is too busy in these strenuous days to pay much attention to the compliments being paid him by newspapers which do not frequently go out of their way to applaud the doings of politicians. But evcii the Morning Post at the other end of the world, has a word or two to say in appreciation of the courage and promptitude of Mr. Forbes, in facing the difficulties besetting the Dominion. “Mr. Forbes,” it says, “has set an example of prudent and courageous finance which be lost on either Mr. Snowden or Mr. Scullin. Improvident Governments like our own, who cut their coats without regard to cloth, will be well advised to take a leaf out of Mr. Forbes’s book.” At this distance from the heart of the Empire New Zealand does not wish to criticise either the policy or the administration of the Labour Gfovernment at Home; but it may accept the compliment to Mr. Forbes as a message to the whole Dominion. An Unhappy Phrase No one who knows Mr. J. G. Coates at all intimately, would suspect him of placing party before the Country and its people in such a crisis as the one the Dominion is passing through at the present time. The leader of the Opposition, however, is not a particularly happy phrasemaker, and the Press Association credits him with having said in Auckland the other day that insofar as Mr.. Forbes followed the proposals of the Reform party he would support the Government in measures which were considered in the national interests. The Post, commenting upon this statement, says:• “Surely silence would have been better than a statement so 'safe,’ so bald, so cold and so ill expressed.” These scathing words would have been appropriate enough had Mr. Coates declared he would follow Mr. Forbes only when Mr. Forbes followed the Reform party. If this is what the leader of the Opposition really said in effect, then his political blood must rest on his own head. The country is in no humour to-day for the resumption of party strife.

A petition in bankruptcy has been filed by Walter John Ladd, farmer, now' of Wellington, but formerly of Linton. This brings the total to 12 for the year to date and 4 during February.

After a full retirement the jury was unable to come to an agreement last evening in tho case in tho Wellington Supremo Court against Lacry and Co., Ltd., fruit auctioneers, Wellington, who were charged on live counts with failing to disclose a pecuniary interest in a contract and one count of rendering a false sales account to tho Department of External Affairs in connection with disposal of (Samoan bananas. A new trial for the May session of tho Court was ordered by tho Chief Justice.—Press Association. In connection with the use of money on behalf of earthquake refugees in Feilding, a notification was received at last evening’s meeting of the Feilding Borough Council from tho Public 'Trustee, stating that instead of tho Government impresting an amount from Wellington, the relief committee could utilise a portion of .the public relief fund. Tho Mayor proposed that tho council's donation of £SO, which had not yet been paid to tho fund, be set aside to meet any local expenditure on behalf of the refugees. This would not affect Feilding’s total contribution to tho general fund, as whatever was used on behalf of local -refugees would be credited to Feilding. Tho council agreed to his suggestion. • •

“The Wcraroa State Farm is the most practical all-round school of experience in New Zealand.” That is the opinion of an ex-pupil, now on a model littlo farm of his own in Manawatu. A recent visitor to the Boy's training farm, Wcraroa, says the splendid concrete swimming hath there, erected by their own boy labour, at 75 per cent less than the estimate, sank three inches at one end during the last shaite. Otherwise it is undamaged. In order to assist public economy, the ! Mayor of Hamilton (Mr. J. E. Fow) considers that the municipal and other public body elections should bo deferred for a period. He regards this as one of the most practical methods yet suggested to practise economy and effect a considerable saving of public nroncy.— Press Assn. ‘‘ The earthquake on February 3 occurred when all classes were i at worlt in the building,” reported the director of the Technical School (Mr. G. G. Hancox) to last evening’s meeting of the High School Board. "As a result of emergency drill and the coolness of both staff and pupils," the school marched out without panic in less than a minute. The expenditure last year on the additional exit was justified on that occasion alone. The school was also emptied in quick time on Friday last. No vital structural damage appears to have been done by the shakes, but as a precautionary measure and with the approval of the chairman, the department has been asked to make a comprehensive survey of the building.”

Twelve paradise duck kavo, at tho request of tho Wellington Acclimatisation Society, been procured and forwarded by tho Southland Acclimatisation Society for the bird sanctuary at Kapiti, where they have boon placed. Tho curator (Mr. Wilkinson) states that the birds arrived safely. Tho Palmerston North Garrison Banwas able to hand over to the Mayor ’r carthquoko relief fund tho gross proceeds of its recent Sunday evening concert through the generosity of Mr F. Jackson, managing-director of Palmerston North Theatres Ltd., who remitted the night’s rental on the Opera House.

An Essex sedan car, painted dark bluo with black mudguards, belonging to Mr. W. R. Hopcroft, of Aokauterc, was removed without permission from the stand opposite tho weighbridge in the Square last evening. Mr. Hopcroft left the motor at 8.15 p.m. and it -was missing when ho returned at 9.30 p.m. Tho registered number is 74-GSI. A party of British boys who are going to Flock House and a number of domestic workers for various parts of the Dominion, arrived by the Rangitata from Southampton to-night. There were 30 boys in the party for Flock House, their ages ranging from 14 to 17 years. They aro all guaranteed employment on farms when they have completed their period of training at Flock House. They wero under the care during tho voyage, of Mr. L. J. Bramwell, of Feilding, who has been touring abroad. Mr Bramwell said the boys were of good typo and their conduct on tho voyage had been exceedingly good.—Press Association.

Tlio view that electric tramway systems are now practically doomed as a moans of transport in Great Britain was expressed by Mr. L. V. Moses, architect, of Auckland, who returned by the Maunganui after an extended tour abroad (states the Herald). Tlio Transport Commission, in judging that rail traction should bo banned from British streets, had only followed public opinion, -which had long condemned this method of transport as cumbersome, inelastic and inefficient, Mr. Moses said. Motor buses wero rapidly taking the place of trams in England, not only |n thickly populated areas, but also in towns wliero tho population was scattered, as in Auckland.

The question of tho alteration of the schools t summer vacation was discussed by the Wanganui Education Board at Wednesday evening, when it was decided to adviso tho department that it was considered to be in tho best interests of tho children to leave tho holidays as at present. It was pointed out that there were numerous difficulties involvcd in making tho suggested alterations, while Christmas was a vacational period for nearly everybody. Teachers had been authorised to close the schools for half a day, or longer if necessary, should the boat be excessive. Mr. M. 11. Oram (Palmerston North) advanced tho suggestion that the position could bo met by extending tho holidays well into February, with a possibio reduction in tho period of the two other vacations.

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