GENERAL NEWS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 7 October 1936, Page 6

GENERAL NEWS

The shortage of farm labour was discussed at a meeting of the Waikato executive of the Farmers’ Union. It was stated that the Labour Department’s placement officer in Hamilton was doing useful work in the towns, but had difficulty in finding men to take up 60 positions on farms that were vacant. Mr G. Adler quoted instances of men leaving farms to take employment on roads with the Public Works Department. Mr F. C. Roberts stated that there were competent Maori farm workers at Ngaruawahia who were receiving sustenance. They had registered at one time as unemployed and were still receiving relief. Members considered there was lack of statistical information respecting farm labour, and it was decided to ask all branches to advise the Auckland executive of the requirements of their members so that representations, supported by experiences and quotations, could be made to the Minister of Labour.

The great length of some of the straight stretches of country roads in Queensland was noticed by Mr G. McCullough, a prominent South Canterbury farmer, who has just returned from a four months’ holiday in Australia. One of these roads, which crossed the Cecil Plains in that province was more than 50 miles long without a single bend, and was flat all the way. The condition of the roads, however, was not nearly as good as those in country districts in New Zealand, and after a rain it was impossible to negotiate many of the roads, as they were not metalled.

“This is the day of unions and compulsory unionism,” said Mr S. L. Paterson, S.M., at the annual dinner of the Waikato branch of the Real Estate Institute. Mr Paterson added that it seemed that where trade unions failed, and where they would continue to fail, was that they were organisations devoted almost entirely to selfish ends. Such an organisation as the Real Estate Institute would survive because its aims were not selfish, Mr Paterson said. It aimed at serving the public, educating its members, and inculcating the principles of business morality among them so that they might give better service to the public. The institute could learn something from trade unionism by making membership compulsory and a qualification for receiving a licence, he added. By doing this, an improvement in the service would be assured, while the interests of the members would be conserved.

At a meeting of the Napier Social Service Committee it was stated that Mr Gerhard Husheer, of Napier, during the last five years had contributed from £6OOO to £BOOO annually to charitable objects. It is believed that this is a record unique in the Dominion.

The Marlborough Rugby Union decided by 13 votes to 1 to cnallenge for the Ranfurly Shield next season. It was agreed, by members that the players should be given an opportunity of playing in bigger iootoall and appearing in more favourable circumstances before the All Black selectors (states "The Express”).

Although no legislative distinction has been made between male and female workers on farms, the wage to ioe paid married couples is a matter lor individual agreement (states the “N.Z. Herald”). The position was clarified by the secretary of the Auckland branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, Mr A. E. Robinson, who said that a deputation had waited on the Minister of Labour, the Hon. H. T. Armstrong, with a view to obtaining information on the matter. The Minister stated that wages for married couples would be left for settlement between the contracting parties, and he suggested that, where a wife assisted in the milking shed, a suitable wage for the couple might be £3 a week, with free house, milk and fuel. Mr Robinson added that on Thursday he communicated with the Dominion secretary of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, Mr A. P. O'Shea, to obtain official confirmation of the position, and a reply had been received that the matter was one for individual agreement.

Numerous new glasshouses have been built during the past season so that 15 per cent, to 20 per cent, more hothouse tomato plants are under cultivation than is usual in Auckland (says the “Herald”). The plants are in normal condition and fruit should be available from the end of October until the end of January. Planting of outdoor tomatoes is now taking place at Otahuhu and Mangere in about normal quantities for the early crop. A slightly larger number of growers than usual is providing plants for the later orthodox main crops, this being partly accounted for by the increasing demands frctfi preserving factories.

The effort to save the Christchurch Cathedral choir from extinction has made a successful beginning, according to Bishop West-Watson, who states that some very generous donations have been sent to the “Save the Choir” fund. “The total sum aimed at is £2OOO, or £SOO a year,” states the October issue of the “Church News.” “This sum is intended to tide the cathedral over the next four or five years, by which time it is hoped the Dean arid Chapter Estate will be producing better revenue. To date the sum subscribed is less than £SOO, which, it available in its entirety, wouid carry the choir on for the present financial year only.”

The annual balance sheet of the Nelson Y.M.C.A. shows a loss of £4 14s lid on the past year’s activities. The principal items under the heading of income were membership subscriptions. £162; Red Triangle Day, £63; donations, £37; and interest on legacy of the late Mrs G. Jackson, £43 15s. A Scots’ Fair, under the auspices of St. Andrews’ Ladies’ Guild, will be held in the Institute Hall, Motueka, on Thursday and Friday, commencing each evening at 7 o’clock. In addition to the stalls there will be a Scotch restaurant and tug of war, and musi : cal items and games will provide good entertainment for all.

The local Y.M.C.A. will not hold its usual display this year owing to the fact that the Theatre Royal is not available, and no other suitable hall is offering. However arrangements have been made to stage an exhibition in the gymnasium on the 29th October so that the parents of members of the classes and other interested can see the valuable work which has been undertaken during the year. While hard and stone fruit trees in the districts supplying the Auckland market give promise of good crops this year, citrus trees are in poor condition and there is a possibility of a shortage of local lemons for at least llie next three months (states the “N.Z. Herald”). A smaller planting of strawberries than is usual has established well, and hothouse tomato plants are reported to be in normal condition. The general disabilities caused by the severe storm last February have been in some measure corrected by replanting, in which there has been a disposition to substitute stone for pip fruits. Orchard work with hard fruits is reported to be well up to date, and the trees are looking remarkably well. There has been little or no extension of planting this season, but a large number of trees have been worked over to other varieties. Delicious apple trees, in particular, have been cut down and reworked with such varieties as Ballarat, Statesman, Granny Smith, and Giant Jinniten. Profuse blooming has been evident among the stone fruits, and the ilowering season for most varieties has now passed. Given satisfactory climatic conditions, there should be a particularly large crop. Rather more planting has taken place this year, especially of Wiggins and Paragon peaches. Some of this has comprised the replacement of apple orchards, but, even so, more has been done than in an average season.

“0.K.,” said the weed merchant, “there’s lots of brands of tobacco, as you say, but in a manner of speaking, you can divide them broadly into two classes —the toasted and the untoasted; yes, and I’ll tell you something more—once you take to toasted —the real thing, mind—you won’t care a row of pins about the untoasted, no matter what the brand is.” The customer looked thoughtful. “Can toasting really make all that difference?” he ventured. “It can—and it does!” declared the tobacconist emphatically, “the toasting of tobacco is one of the most ingenious and efficient processes as yet invented. What does it do? Why, it cuts out the nicotine, and at the same time gives this tobacco that fine, pure, clean, sweet, fragrance smokers love. You can smoke any amount of it with safety—and, my word! —you enjoy every whiff!” "I must certainly have a tin,” laughed the customer, “a small one just to try it out.” “You’ll want a big one next time,” prophesied the tobacconist, “you wait and see.”*