GENERAL ITEMS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 26 November 1938, Page 8

GENERAL ITEMS

Steamer Fordsdalc If loading on the overseas steamer Fordsdale is completed by this evening the vessel will saii for New Plymouth to-morrow. South African Sportsmanship The sportsmanship of the huge crowd at the last Rugby test match between England and South Africa in South Africa was commented on this week by Mr Eric Grant, professor of pianoforte at the Royal Schools of Music. London, who is visiting New Plymouth. At half-time South Africa led by 13 points to eight, but within the last few minutes England staged a brilliant recovery to win by 21 points to 18. Thousands of spectators, wildly enthusiastic, swarmed on the field to carry the Englishman off shoulder high. “It was a thrilling spectacle,” said Mr Grant. Value of Frankness Experience had taught him the value of frankness, said Mr G. H. Mackley, general manager of railways, in an address at New Plymouth. A man needed to be a good bluffer and liar to see a bluff or lie through to the finish. He had found that it paid to take people into his confidence, and trust them. An odd one might let him down, but the majority would not. Fairness

Reference to the unassailable fairness of the Press of New Zealand, and of Dunedin in particular, was made by Mr E. E. Nicolson at the annual meeting of the Dunedin Manufacturers’ Association, when he thanked the Press for publicity granted throughout the year. In connection with manufacturers’ problems, the Press at times did not see eye to eye with the manufacturers themselves, but any criticism was fair and made with unimpeachable intentions. He added that in the recent parliamentary elections the Press was equally fair and generous to both its supporters and its opponents. The Last Straw A letter-box at a Napier South home was selected by a pair of starlings for home-building operations recently (states the “Telegraph”). For several days they met opposition from the occupiers of the house, who, as idly as material for the nest was assembled in the box removed it; but, when the birds still persisted, they were eventually allowed to remain. Building operations continued merrily until one day one of the birds was imprisoned by a letter which blocked the entrance to the box. A few days later a similar occurrence resulted in both birds being shut in, but they still cheerfully carried on. Last week, however, another letter came, and the birds, tiring of this continual interruption to their efforts, flew away and did not return. It may, of course, have been mere coincidence, but the letter which finally broke the birds’ resistance was the circular from the Napier City Council giving a reminder that rates for the current year were due.

Transport Control The opinion that the Government’s regulations in regard to transport tended to create monopolies and to eliminate the small operators was expressed at a meeting of th 3 Ellerslie Borough Council. Advice was received from the Minister of Transport, the lion. R. Semple, that representations had been made to him regarding towncarrying licenses. It had been stated that the number of licenses was being increased to a level which made it impossible for those engaged in the business to secure a reasonable standard of living. The Government was anxious to avoid that situation and requested the council to co-operate by refraining from granting further licenses except where justified to meet a genuine expansion in business. Several members said that the regulations would prevent anyone from starting in business. They did not consider that a desirable condition. Mr A. Vause said the Minister’s objective might be attained by limiting the number of vehicles that any one firm might put on the road. That would leave young men and others free to set up in the carrying business if they desired. It was agreed to send a resolution in such terms to the Minister. Paper Money “As far as paper money is concerned. I have no hesitation in Sayillg that you will be using it to boil the billy,” remarked Mr J. R. Franklin at a meeting of the Wanganui Provincial Executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union (reports the “Herald"). He considered that after all the land ;.nd farming was still the lending industry of the Dominion.

Narrow-minded Attitude j “Some local authorities adopt a very j narrow-minded attitude regarding (swimming clubs, and it is our intention j to use every endeavour to have it al- ! tered; we are seeking the eo-operation i of the Minister of Internal Affairs (the j Hon. W. E. Parry) to have anomalies j removed ” That was the answer given by the president of the New Zealand Swimming Association (Mr F. G. Dunn) at a meeting of the Canterbury Centre when asked if the association could help where clubs were hampered in securing the use of baths. “We have had many complaints.” Mr Dunn added, “concerning charges made by local authorities for the use of baths. In some places baths were not obtainable free for the last ’Learn to Swim’ Week, and in some cases instructors had to pay to get in to the baths." “Spending to Save"

The opinion was expressed by the Minister of Internal Affairs (the Hon. | W E. Parry) in Christchurch that a great deal of money would be requirjed before the goal of the National Council of Physical Welfare and Rej creation was reached. “But, What we ; spend at one end we will save at the | other,” added the Minister. "It is easy to get £50.000 for hospital purposes, and ; it is hard to obtain £SOOO for purposes that will reduce hospital costs. We may ; spend a lot of money in producing a physically fit nation, but when the health of the people has bfcen improved ( we will begin to save on the hospital bills.” Rubbish Good Firing Rubbish makes good firing. As long as there is plenty of miscellaneous refuse from the city, the destructor at the Wellington City Corporation yards can develop a full head of steam for driving the air compressor units for the sewerage system, which are due for retirement shortly (states “The Post”), ft is true that a certain amount of coal is consumed by the destructor furnaces, but that is only during weekends and holidays, when the refuse supply becomes depleted. Since the 40-hour week has been adopted rather more coal than formerly has to be used to keep up the steam pressure. Possibly the destructor consumes about 1000 tons of coal per annum. This is one of the costs that will cease as soon as the electrical units for the sewerage system are in commission. “Gas” Fatalities Frequently, bright paragraphs are contained in the weekly circular sent out to mebers of the Christchurch Rotary Club. This week's trite comment reads:—ln the U.S.A. it is reported that last year 39.000 people were killed by gas alone. Sixty inhaled it, forty lighted matches in it, and 38.900 stepped on it.—" Wolverhampton.” Peaceful Objectives

“There is one fundamental difference oetween the physical fitness campaign in Germany and the campaign we are launching in New Zealand,” said the Minister of Internal Affairs (the Hon. W E. Parry), when he addressed representatives of sports organisations in Christchurch (reports the “Star-Sun”), “The German campaign is based on a theory that there is fighting to be done sometime and that there is a potential enemy to the State somewhere. Ours has no such basis. There is no compulsion about it. and the people are at liberty to take part in it or to leave it alone, just as they wish. We helve peaceful objectives, and we seek only to inspire the people to take up recreative education for their own good and for the development of a better national physical standard.” Forget It! “I suggest we forget taxation, or. failing that, wc should be optimistic and say it will hot be more than 15s in the pound,” remarked Mr C. V. Smith joculalry at the annual meeting of the Dunedin Manufacturers’ Association. “It is here whether we like it or not,” he continued, “and We know for a fact that it will be increased next year on account of the social security scheme, and we have to thank Mr Chamberlain that there is not a war to pay for as well.'* Deer Skins for Overseas A consignment of three thousand deer skins will be shipped Overseas from Christchurch within the coming few days to be manufactured into shoes and other leather goods. The pelts were inspected by the Minister of Internal Affairs (the Hon. W. E Parry), who also saw some excellent samples of deer skin leather that had been tanned in Christchurch. Revenue from the export of the skins helps to provide the cost of the warfare that is being continually waged between man and deer in Canterbury. Time to Get Busy "The Centennial Exhibition next year is going to be in every sense worthy of the occasion,” declared the Mayor of Wellington. Mr T. C. A. Hislop. when speaking at the opening of [the rose show in the Town Hall. Every fealuret of it would be Of the highest possible type, and some features would be entirely new to the Southern Hemisphere. It was to be hoped, he said, that all horticulturists would join in making the Dominion flower show which is was intended to hold an outstanding success. Whether this j would be held in the Exhibition buildings or elsewhere, it was impossible to say at preseht; but wherever it was held, now was the time for horticulturists to get busy in preparation for the great event.

What Is a Millibar? The term “millibar” has become familiar to New Zealanders through its daily reiteration in the broadcast weather reports. Although there is a general suspicion that it relates to barometric pressure, its exact meaning has been somewhat obscure. Dr. W. A Macky. officer in charge of the Government meteorological office at Auckland, informed the “Star" that a millibar was the international unit of pressure, being based on the metric system. It had been introduced into New Zealand several years ago, and was now practically universal, although the United States adhered to the old system based upon inches of mercury. The relation of the new system to the old was that 1000 millibars was the equivalent of a reading of 29.53in on an ordinary barometer Normal atmospheric pressure was 1015 millibars, and though readings below this indicated an area of low pressure, it did not necessarily follow that there would be bad weather; often the reverse was the case. Abandoned Farms Speaking at a meeting of the Taumarunui County Council, the chairman. Mr H. R. Stree.t Said that in his opinion the Government Departmeht had taken i the wrong view in connection with abandoned farms. “It did no good.” 'said Mr Street, “to allow these properties to go back to forest, or, more likc- | ly, become infested with blackberry J and noxious weeds. A man ought to be able to make a living on. say. 600 acres ; of this land if he had it free of rent and taxes, and it would be better to put men on rent free than to allow the land to go to waste and become a menace to other farms.” Control of Broadcasting A change in the control of radio station 3ZR. Greymouth, was forecast by the director (Mr M. E. Spiers), during the children’s Session at Hokitika a few nights ago (states the "Star”) j Mr Spiers said that he had been asked ( not to make a statement, but he indicated that a change was to take place at the end of this month. He added that ha hoped the children's session would be continued. In conversation with a “Star” reporter subsequently. Mr Bpiers said that, as from Ist December, the Government would take control of the station, and he would relinquish control. So far as the staff and the various artists were concerned, he said that he had no information as to Whether they, and the various special sessions, would be retained. That would be a question for the new controller to decide.