GENERAL ITEMS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 21 June 1937, Page 4

GENERAL ITEMS

The Shortest Day The calendar season of winter for the southern hemisphere and of summer for the northern hemisphere commences on Tuesday with the occurrence of the shortest day. The sun will then be in the most northern portion of its apparent path, and consquently will not rise as high or remain above the horizon for as long as it does on any other day of the year Actually the change in the length of the day over the next few weeks will be so small as to pass unnoticed. By the end of the month the apparent day will be only one minute longer than on Tuesday. It is only when seconds as well as minutes are taken into account that Tuesday is proved to be the shortest day To-morrow, the sun is due to rise in Nelson at 7.23 a.m., and set at 4.34 p.m. Experience shows that most of New Zealand’s winter weather comes after the shortest day, so that one it not justified in looking tor spring just yet. The sun will rise no earlier until 6th duly when the time of rising is 7 22 a.m., and setting, 4.40 p.m Nelson’s Weather during these short days of the year ha? been exemplary. Licensing Road Services The conviction that users of road transport and taxpayers generally would best be served by private enterprise was expressed by Mr A. S. Bailey, president of the New Zealand Road Transport Alliance, on his return to Auckland from Wellington, where he attended a meeting of transport operators affected by the Government’s purchase proposals. Mr Bailey said he wished to express appreciation to the Government and to the Minister for Transport (the Hon. R. Semple), in particular, for their sincerity in endeavouring to treat the transport industry fairly. “The very definite opinion of the industry however, is that the single-ownership policy of the Government, embracing as it does State ownership and monopoly, can only bring increased transport charges and disservice to the public.” Mr Bailey added. “The operators believe that the interests of users of road transport and of taxpayers generally can be best con served by the effi.-iency of private enterprise.” Mr Bailey explained that under the Transport Licensing Act, 1936 the Government had power to require a service to be licensed whether it was plying for hire or reward or not. That would mean that a private individual or firm carrying its own goods for more than 30 miles beside a railway wou'd require to get a license. It Was scarcely likely, however, that, after the Government had purchased licensed services, those licenses would be readily obtainable.

Hoistrian Church Parade

It is customary for members of the Rotary Clubs to attend church together on the Sunday nearest the anniversary of the establishment of the first Rotary Club. visiting the various churches in turn. Last evening nearly thirty members of the Nelson Rotary Club, accompanied by their wives, were present at St. John’s Methodist Church and listened to an inspiring address by the Rev. W. Rowe on the ideals of Rotary, linking up the Rotarian motto with the life of the greatest servant of all, Jesus Christ.

An Efficient Service

The manager of a Wellington firm that had secured a contract in Blenheim made application one morning at the Wellington Placement Office for the services of two men who had a knowledge of the particular class of work necessary in the carrying-out of the contract, He crossed to Blenheim that afternoon, and on his arrival at his hotel he found two men waiting to interview him. These proved to be of the right class, and they were engaged on f he spot. In a letter of appreciation the manager stated: “I consider this extraordinarily quick work on the part ot the Placement Service, and should like to congratulate you on its efficiency.”

Railway Hoardings

The Railway Department, it was stated at a rneeeing of the Wellington Beautifying Society, believes that all its hoardings are oil pj intihgs at Idast, but the society does not. and so it proposes to carry its representations further. At the annual meeting of the Society hoardings were mentioned, and the Railway Department was named as the chief of fender. The General Manager of the department, Mr G. H. Mackley, had taken the remarks to heart and had suggested that the best course would be for thp society to wait upon the Minister for Railways and other Mihisters concerned. The Railway Department was anxious to meet the society, but could not cease erecting hoardings while private enterprise—the Plain offenders —continued to do so, but the department was quite prepared to have certain roads classed as scenic roads, upon which no hoardings should be erected,

Plunket Society’s Work

Stress was laid by the Blenheim Plunket Society’s president, Mrs A. Hood at the annual meeting, upon the fact that the Society’s work was not to cure sick babies—that was a job for a doctor (reports the “Express”), “Out object is to keep the doctor out of work ” she said. The Society was specially interested in the progress of the older children, and she remarked that it was pleasing to see that more were being brought to the rooms. “We want to keep in touch with these children, and one of the nurses is to be employed at the rooms on one day a month in examining them,” she added.

“Dangerous” Traction Engine

Under a regulation still on the Statute Book the traction engine remains a dangerous vehicle. This point was mentioned by Mr J. H. Luxford, S.M., in the course of an address to the Faculty of Insurance In Wellington (reports “The Post”), “Some present tonight,” said Mr LUxford, “do not remember the days when our highways knew Hot the smell of petrol, the days when the only mechanical vehicle that passed along them was the traction engine, now regarded as the most innocuous vehicle of all—Until you happen to hit one. Yet we still have that amusing regulation on the Statute Book which makes the driver of a traction engine liable to a substantial penalty if the engine is not accompanied by at least two other men, one in front and one behind, to warn the riders and drivers of horses and Vehicles of the proximity of the engine, ahd to assist them past it in safety. I wonder how popular the look-Otlt man would be who stopper the driver of a modern car arid asked to be allowed to assist him past?’

Radio for Propaganda

The strength of the influence of propaganda in the lives of people of all nations was discussed by Mr K. H. Melvin in an address to members of the Auckland Ciedittneii’S Club (reports the "N.Z. Herald”). Mr Melvin said if people believed in democracy they must come forward dnd say so and not yield an inch to the subversive and revolutionary forces flooding the air. Mr Melvin instanced Dr. J. Goebbels, Minister of Propaganda in Germany, as being the most adroit master of propaganda in the world at the present time. There was something tremendously impressive in modern regimented Germany, and it had all been achieved through the wise use of the power of propaganda over the air. Goebbels had set about regimenting the listening of the Germans and he had gained his obective by dividing the nation in 1000 districts, served by 27 Government radio stations. AS a result it had been calculated that 9,000,000 Germans could be summoned to hear what was being broadcast Within the space of half an hour. The art of propaganda was old, but it had a new ruthlessness and intolerance projected into it through the use of it by such nations as Germany, Soviet Russia, France and even Great Britain, in allowing only certain material to be broadcast Even in little Czechoslovakia, where there were 20 political parties, the sole arbiter of What should be put Over the air was the party in power. NeW Zea land had something Of the same situa tion.

Coster Barrow Day

The Coster Barrow Day, arranged by the staff of Messrs J. R. McKenzie, ort Saturday to assist the futids Of the Crippled Children’s Society, pfoVed very successful, securing merited public support. Donations of fruit, vegetables, and produce of all descriptions were received and disposed of in the streets which at intervals presented a bright and unusual scene, the quaint costuming Of the barrow attendants attracting considerable attention. A barrel organ added to the effect. The event is to be followed by a Coster Bail, following which the amount of the proceeds to the effort for the Crippled Children will be published.

Colleges Resume

The Nelson Colleges resumed for the second term to-day.

New Industry,

Negotiations are reported to be in progress in connection with the establishment in Blenheim of a factory i'br the manufacture of fur and wool hat hoods (says the “Express”). In this connection Mr W. Barratt will leave for Wellington by air on Tuesday, and will appear on Wednesday before the Bureau of Industry to give evidence. If Government sanction is obtained the project will be gone on with almost immediately. The initial cost would approximate .£15.000 and 100 operatives would be employed. There are no far* tories of this kind in existence in the Dominion, hoods for felt hat making being imported from England, Europe, America, Australia and Japan.

Maternity Services

In the advertising columns of this issue appears a notice from the Committee of Inquiry into Maternity Services of New Zealand advising the dates on Which it will be sitting in this district. It is the desire of the Government that everything possible should be done to provide satisfactory maternity services, not only for the women in the towns, but in the remote country districts as well, and the Hon. the Minister of Health, who has appointed this committee, is desirous that every organisation or person who has any information or suggestions that may be of value should have the Opportunity of interviewing the committee. All interested persons are requested to communicate at once with the secretary so that sufficient time may be allowed for all concerned to have the opportunity of meeting the committee at the various places it will visit.

Following New Zealand’s Example

It will be recalled that in February last the Hon. Mr Hyland (Victoria) Closely examined the operation of the New Zealand State Placement Service, and presumably reported the result to his Government, which later arranged for the Minister of Labour (accompanied by the Officer-in-Charge of the Sustenance Department) to make a special journey to the Dominion for the purpose of exhaustively examining the system inaugurated here. Melbourne exchanges report that according to official announcements by the Acting Premier and the Minister of Labour, Victoria will definitely establish a service “almost identical with that now operating successfully in New Zealand,” and that orders for the necessary forms have been placed. Particulars of the difference between the two plans are not yet available, but it is believed in official Cirles that it will be confirmed to only small matters of detail.

New Brooklyn School

A petition from the residents of Brooklyn urging the erection of a new school was received at to-day’s meeting of the Nelson Education Board. It was decided that the chairman (the Hon. W. H. Mclntyre) personally present the petition to the Minister of Education (the Hon. P. Fraser) and make a request that the Department make the necessary grant as soon as possible.

Influence of Motion Pictures

Speaking at a luncheon of the 33 Club in Wellington to representatives of the motion picture industry in New Zealand, Sir Charles Norwood said that there was hardly a more conspicuous example of the progress of science and invention than that Offered by the motion picture industry during the last 2d years. “You are the leaders of one of the great enterprises of to-day,” said Sir Charles, “an enterprise successfully combining commerce, industry, and art.” Motion pictures were destined to play a great part in world affairs, he continued, and the unrest and suspicions of the world, as exemplified by the conditions in Europe, would be allayed as the peoples of the different nations became more acquainted and more closely linked with each other.