LOCAL AND GENERAL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 31 May 1930, Page 8

LOCAL AND GENERAL

"The Mail" will be published as usual on Tuesday next, King's Birthday, but will go to press early in the afternoon. Advertisers are requested to make arrangements accordingly.

Various aspects of the present-day political situation in New Zealand were dealt with by the Hon. W. Downie Stewart at a general rally of Reform supporters in Christchurch on Wednesday evening. Mr Stewart devoted much time to a criticism of the Socialistic Labour movement, incidentally paying attention to a notice announcing an address in Christchurch by the Leader of the Labour Party (Mr H. E. Holland) who was described in the advertisement as "the man to do away with unemployment." Referring to the financial stringency in Australia, Mr. Stewart said that his financial policy when a member of the Reform Government's Cabinet, had been designed to prevent such a state of'affairs occurring rii the Dominion. Asked, at the conclusion of his address whether ho thought an election probable this year, Mr Stewart said that it depended upon the action of the Labour Party, but it appeared that "so long as that party had an orange to squeeze, it would Squeeze it dry before bringing about another General Election."

ilr 11. Fostoii, lecturer and author on New Zealand subjects, will give an illustrated descriptive recital on "The Maori Pace" in the Motueka District High School on Thursday. sth June, at 7.45 p.m. Proceeds will go towards augmenting the school funds.

"The devotion of England to the Royal family is something above and beyond ordinary expression," said Air F.'.Milner, Rector of the Waitaki Boys' High School, at the annual meeting of the Wellington branch of the Old. Boys' Association. "The members of the Royal family have endeared themselves to the British people in a way which makes the monarchy safe for all'time."

''An insect is killing out the Califoruian thistle in my district," Mr E. G. Wells, Oxford, said at this week's meeting of the North Canterbury Executive of tho Farmers' Union. "Tt has practically killed them right out. It looks like an aphis similar to the aphis that attacks rose-bushes. There are patches of Californian thistle as black as this table, on account of this insect's attacks. It does not affect rape, which is growing with California!! thistle,"

"What is going ,to happen to the junior high school :down ; 'there?" asked an old boy of Mr V. Milner, rector of the Waitaki High .School, at the annual mooting of the Wellington branch of the Old Boys' Association this week. Mr Milnor smilingly replied that the education policy of New Zealand was in the lap of the 'gods—in other words, in the mind of the Hon. H. Atmore. "I would have no hesitation in drawing up the policy," added Mr Milnor. "I know what the country wants, hut schoolmasters are not supposed to be practical people; we are supposed to be bathed in moonshine and merely tolerated." (Laughter.) Mr Milner said that as far as lie was concerned the ideal thing in the intermediate centres of New Zealand was to bring the child into a secondary school atmosphere. A headmaster would be a poor creature If he was afraid of the job, or afraid that his school would suffer. Mr Milner said he had received several ofiers, some of them very tempting, to teach in private schools, but lie preferred _to work for the country as a whole. He sincerely hoped that the junior high school would last, and that the Minister of Education would realise that intermediate education must be developed in New Zealand, otherwise the country would be left completely in the race. New Zealand had a wonderful chance, but if it wanted to hold its own it would have to put its educational houso in order. "Some of you may be afraid that the ideals of the school would be lowered, but I don t think they would," concluded Mr Milner. "'I think the generous thing ts say is that these children should be given a chance."

Mr C. M'lntosh, president of the North Canterbury branch of the New Zealand Farmers* Uniqn r reported _to the executive this week; "At a meeting called hurriedly by the South Island Freezing Companies' Association to discuss the recent freezing works trouble, I represented the Farmers' Union. The farmers' representatives asked the association to do its best to have the trouble settled as speedily as possible. If the men would not carry on, we pledged our different organisations to do all wo could to find men and means to man the board, if necessary. It is right that I should tell you of the responsibility I took upon myself. You have a right to know what you are in for in the future, seeing that you have elected me again to a responsible position. I felt that it was right to say that we farmers were more vitally interested than the freezing companies, and that wo are out to get our stock killed at the earliest opportunity." It was slated that farmers were preparing to send some of their men to the works, and that there were plenty of butchers still to take a job. A member of the executive said that a farmer once sent his son to one of the freezing works. The son refused to go back to-the farm, saying: "£lO a week will dp me." Mr M'lntosh's action .was approved, on the motion of Mr B. J. Cullcn.

Counsel for the defence had just concluded an able and Complete explanation of his client's conduct in a case heard at the New , FJymquth Police Court (states the' "News"). He called the defendant to give evidence. "Now, Mr —," said counsel "just tell us exactly what happened,/in your own words." . "Oh, I couldn't'do it-better than vou. have," said 1 defendant naively. y ,v..-.,',,,.'. . •

During the hearing, of a bankruptcy case in Christohurch, the Official Assignee (Mr J. H. Robertson) commented on the acquisition, of farms by means of exchange.,.. "My.experience," he said, "is that' this is a.hio'st pernicious way of dealing in land. During the time I was in the North Island I saw quite a number, of; men go bankrupt owing to this practice. The trouble is that both parties generally inflate the value of their properties out of all reason. Where a deal' 1 is'made between two experienced men, it is all right, but the trouble is with the men who are speculators." "''", '•'.' ~\

It was decided by the Marlborough County Council this week to 'alter the direction sign near the Pelorus Bridge, reading "Tinlirie Turn-off," to read "Maungatapu and Tinline." The clerk (reports the "Expr,e|>s"J,.,rnentioned.that a former Public Works engineer had insisted on the use .of t the-.term "Tin? line turn-off," '•' but - 'Councillors ' Kehnington and Bryant pointed out that the Tinline was only an off-shoot of the Maungatapu [road; > • . v;<- ■

An opossum and a starling have been living in perfect harmony in the same tree for over a year, according to the report submitted at the annual meeting of the Wellington Acclimatisation Society. The case was observed last year and referred to in the 1929 report of the society. The current report states: "This.is still proceeding; the opossum still lives upstairs, the bird lives downstairs, ancl has again brought up its family. The opossum still passes to and fro, leaving the contents of the nest unimpaired, and, .up to the present, _ lias exhibited no cannibalistic tendencies."

"There will probably be more poverty and more want in New Zealand this winter than has ever been known before," said Mr Holland, in an address at Christchurch. He added that he recognised that New Zealand was not unique in respect to unemployment. The older countries had much greater problems than New Zealand. New Zealand could carry 10,000,000 as easily as it could carry '1,000,000, but the land laws would have to be rewritten, and there would have to be a scientific overhaul of the secondary industries. There was only one real remedy for unemployment, and that was to provide work. Care would have to be taken that the works were of an increasing character, and were of an economic character. If the works were of an economic character, standard wages and conditions should prevail. ' The Unemployment Committee had, in its report, laid'down one principle unanimously. That was that unemployment was a social responsibility which should be a matter for national action. Local bodies could give aid, with Government assistance, but the responsibility was on the Government.

The ambulance corps, known as Nelson Bearer Corps No. 4, which did so much during the war to help raise members for the N.Z.M.C, have stretchers and general ambulance equipment, and thp old members are asked to meet on Monday evening at the Y.M.C.A., re handing over the property to that body of younff men.

An amusing story against the banking profession was' told by Mr W. J. Iloldsworth, of Auckland, when addressing a combined gathering of business men and farmers held by the Hamilton Rotary Club this week. Mr Holdsworth said an Auckland schoolboy had been asked by an inspector to give the definition of a bank, and he had replied : "A bank gives you an umbrella when the weather is fine, and asks for it back as soon as it commences to rain." (Laughter.)

The attention of cricketers is drawn •to the advertisement in this issue regarding the special meeting of the executive, to which an invitation is extended to the delegates of the District .Association. The business for consideration is of -great importance. A novelty jazz dance will be held in the "Velma Hall to-night. Avhere dancers are assured of a most enioyable evening. Up-to-date music will be supplied by the Regal Dunce Band of five,

.Yesterday was the City Traffic Inspector's birthday, and this morning he was the recipient of a pair of leather gauntlet gloves, from a Nelson motor firm. The letter accompanying the gift concluded: "As a public official we appreciate your endeavour to serve the motoring public."

In view of the uncertainty of the economic outlook for the current financial year the Government is rigidly whittling down the departmental estimates of expenditure which are to be submitted to Parliament in the forthcoming session. Items which are regarded as unnecessary at a time when difficulty may be'met with in balancing the accounts for the year are being eliminated. It is said that certain economies are to bo effected in connection with the New Zealand operations of the Publicity Department, but that the general efficiency of, what might he' termed "overseas publicity"—which after air is the most important factor to be considered —will not be lessened. "It is safe to say that nothing will be, done to jeopardise the advertising of] this country abroad," said the Hon. Mr Perrelle. "I regard publicity as essential, and I can' give' an' assurance that expenditure on that Department, is not being cut down out of proportion to the expenditure on any other Department. , No curtailment of expenditure will be made that will affect the efficiency of the Department in the work it is doing abroad. In fact, I am hopeful that the proposals we have in mind regarding publicity will add to the efficiency of the system. I regard the tourist business generally as one of our great essentials, and I think we should jnake still greater efforts to encourage overseas people to visit New Zealand."

The officials at the Post Office /in charge of the motor vehicle re-licensing department had no time to spare this morning. There was a big run on new. plates and in spite of high pressure work by those handling the applications, some motorists had to waste about half an hour in waiting time. The City Council office staff had a busy time this morning dealing with applications for renewals _of drivers' licenses. The. licenses expired to-day and motorists who had. left the compulsory duty to the last minute formed a queue all the morning at the Council Chambers. Hammer throwing would appear to be an inexpensive sport, but when a champion mis-directs a lengthy throw he is liable to find that the amateur game does not pay. To the : . Board of Governors of the Otago High recently the architect reported that the sum ot £lO was the estimate for .the repairing of damage, to the; mullion work of the Fulton building.. It transpired that a champion hammer thrower , was practising on the , Littlebourne Ground when, his shot landed against the stone work. He frankly wrote admitting his blame, and, after hearing a member speak of the athlete's qualities, the board decided to ask him.to pay half the cost of the repairs.

Customs dutieg collected at the Port of Nelson this month amounted to £4198 3s, as compared with £5040 13s 7d in May of last year. Excise beer duty for the month amounted to £969 6s 4d. In May, 1929, £895 9s 5,d was collected in beer duty. ' ' "j

There are over 1600. tundischarged bankrupts in New Zealand. This is revealed in a list published in the "Gazette" this week giving the names of all persons adjudicated bankrupt during the three years ended 31st March last and remaining undischarged at this date.

Nelson Congregationalists have 'secured the services of the Rev-. Charles; Wickham,, of London, for a month's mission in Nelson for the deepening of the spiritual life, as advertised in this issue. In his Jong ministry in England? Mr Wickham, as a missioner, has taken part in many special efforts to awaken new interest and to arrest the attention of the careless and the indifferent.His own methods of address are often unique, for he makes' use of object lessons and of a blackboard in the church as a means of illustrating the truth, and even paints a picture before his audience. This, however, is all subordinated to an intensely earnest appeal to the heart and conscience of his hearers. A "Gazette" notice declares that chamois and Himalayan thar are not now included in the second schedule of the Animals Protection and Game Act —that is, they cease to be imported game. On inquiry from the Department of Internal Affairs, it was learned that this notification means' that protection is removed in respect to these animals; and anyone can shooti.them at any time of the year, without a licence, subject, of course, to the consent of the owner of the property on which.,the animals may be. " ■ , At this week's meetings of the Marlborough and. Awatere. County,, Councils whole-hearted support was .pledged to an agitation being sponsored* byline Whakatanc, Rotorua, Tatiranga. y and Opotiki County Councils having as its object an increase in the petrol tax to such an extent as to ensure sufficient revenue to enable the Main Highways Board to wholly finance all-expenditure on the principal main highways of ..the country. , • •■.■:>-. •>■

A new by-law, requiring the name, address and telephone numbers of the registered owners of cars, to be placed in the vehicles, came before the executive of the North Island Motor Union in Wellington this week. After discussion a motion of protest was passed (states the "Dominion"). In opening the discussion, Mr A. J. Toogood (Wellington) said he thought that an emphatic protest should be made against the innovation, lest the example should be followed bv the other local bodies. Mr E. A. Bait (Wellington) said that the deputy-mayor (Mr M. F.. Luckie) had stated that it applied to every motor-car driven in the city, so that every car coming into Wellington would also have to obtain and use the tags. The rights of access to the registrations were sold every year, and when either the council or the automobile association wanted to use the list they had to go cap in hand to those, who had the list. The new system assisted the car-steal-er, in that he might know the owner's' movements, and avail himself of the fact that the owner would be engaged. A lady wrote objecting to her identity being able to be read by anybody. Representatives from other parts concurred, and it was resolved to protest strongly abainst the by-law, and point out that if the City Council had access to the registration", there should be no occasion to enforce the by-law. ! Residents of Motueka are notified that | the electric power for ironing will be i available on Wednesday afternoon, ] 4th June, instead of Tuesday, 3rd June.