The Northern Advocate “NORTHLAND FIRST” Registered for transmission through the post as a Newspaper. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1943. THE LICENSING POLL.

Northern Advocate, 29 September 1943, Page 2

The Northern Advocate “NORTHLAND FIRST” Registered for transmission through the post as a Newspaper. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1943. THE LICENSING POLL.

SO far as figures have been released, the licensing poll taken simultaneously with the general election shows that Continuance secured a large majority. At the same time, there were revealed indications That the people are not satisfied with the licensing laws as they stand today. Continuance secured slightly less support than at the previous poll, and State Control had more supporters. This suggests that people are thinking along lines leading to reform of the licensing system. It is likely that many people who support Prohibition, but who despair of securing it under existing, conditions, voted for State Control as a means of impressing upon the Government their demand for reform. . .

This should impel both the Government and the Opposition Ito hasten the holding of a Royal Commission to investigate the ! whole question and to give the people an opportunity to approve or disapprove of the findings of the commission. A promise by Labour and Nationalist leaders that they would do this if either was returned to power is a promise that shonld be honoured as quickly as possible.

Clearly a great deal of preliminary work must be done before legislation can peach the Statute Book, which necessitates that no longer should politicians try to handle a nettle gently. In the words of an old coliplet, if either party does not “grip the nettle firmly it will sting them for their pains.” Reforms are long overdue, and the sooner the task is undertaken the better.

BOBBY CALF TRADE.

JN an endeavour to prevent cruelty to bobby calves, and to ensure that the bovine babies are not subjected to unnecessary suffering while awaiting transportation to the slaughterhouse at Moerewa, the Whangarei S.P.C.A., with the co-operation of the Whangarei Bobby Calf Committee, recently prepared a circular setting out suggestions to farmers.. These were printed, and distributed by means of cream cans. There is little doubt that the majority of farmers received the suggestions in the spirit in which they were offered. There i& also little doubt that the same majority had already practised the methods recommended. After setting out that calves should be at least five days old before being sent away, and that they should be left on their mothers during that time, the following recommendation was made: “Pens at the roadside should be in a dry, sheltered position, or protected from the cold winds by timber, sacking or other material, covered to keep off rains, and kept dry underfoot.”

These are humanitarian requirements with which every decent person will agree. It is therefore a matter for regret that some people associated with the bobby calf trade should make contemptuous reference to the efforts of the S.P.C.A. and the Bobby Calf Committee, as was done in a letter printed in yesterday’s “Advocate.” Other letters of an insulting nature were denied publication, but that which appeared yesterday was printed to show that the desire of the great body of farmers to co-operate in a good cause runs counter to that of a minority, who, if they l\ad their own way, would bring discredit upon their fellow farmers. It is the existence of such people that makes necessary the vigilance of the S.P.C.A., which, taken on the whole, is moved by humanitarianism rather than sentimentality.

GOOD NEWS FROM WAR FRONTS.

THREE heartening announcements come from the war fronts today. The Russians have continued their ferocious offensive against the Germans all along a front of something like 800 miles. In the southern sector they are on (or over) the west bank of the Dnieper, while there are reports that Red paratroops have landed behind the enemy, who will thus be still further embarrassed. The attempted evacuation of troops from the Kuban across the Kerch Straits into the Crimea seems to have been a failure, and altogether the Russians have placed the Germans in a very uncomfortable position over an extensive and critical area.

In Italy the Allies have captured Foggia, on the coast almost due west of Salerno. This will give the United Nations control of a number of Italian airfields, the use of which will be of vital importance, for our planes will now be within short flying distance of territories across the Adriatic and in northern Italy. Excellent progress is reported from the Pacific. The Allies have secured possession of Finschhafen, or at any rate have made it of no value to the Japanese. This victory in New Guinea brings nearer the day when Rabaul, the enemy’s keypoint, will be well within major striking range.