GENERAL ITEMS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 24 January 1939, Page 4

GENERAL ITEMS

Import Restrictions “Unwise” Interesting comment on the New Zealand import restrictions is contained in. a letter received by the Wellington representative of a big Birmingham manufacturing Arm. “British financial interests have for some considerable time now been exceedingly doubtful as to the ultimate issue of the New Zealand financial policy, and the present action in limiting imports from their best customers is, to say the least, unwise,” says the letter. “The immediate reaction to your own Government’s plan is a proposal to restrict imports of mutton and to allocate the difference between past and future purchases to subsidising the British farming interests to develop livestock on a much larger scale. That, as you know, cannot be made effective without consultation with the New Zealand Government under the provisions of the Ottawa Agreement, but it seems inevitable that if the British Government ‘propose to discuss such a delimitation, then it is a foregone conclusion that ultimately it will happen.’ It is a most unpleasant business all round, because so far as I can make out the general population in New Zealand seem to believe that their country is New Utopia, and some day they will have to pay the bill.” A Good Scout “He was a true Scout," said Dominion Chief Commissioner Hector Christie on his arrival from Sydney yesterday, , when speaking of Lord Hampton, the representative from Imperial Head--1 quarters, at the big Scout Jamboree.

“He insisted on doing his own camp work, and when he was supplied with someone to look after him he declined. ‘Bring me some hot water first thing in the morning, and I will look after myself,’ he said.” Lord Hampton thoroughly enjoyed the Maori feast cooked in traditioi.al style. Under the guidance of Scouter Alex. Gordon, of Rotorua, Lord Hampton was met with due ceremony at the gate of the pa, and after the usual hongi and hakas of welcome and friendship, the hangi was opened with the appropriate haka, and Lord Hampton and the other guests were treated to a real Maori feast. This was considered by the many onlookers to be the star turn of the camp, and the poi dances by the lady cubmasters were received with long applause. Malaria Control The important part the Australian eucalyptus plays in the stamping-out of malaria was emphasised by Dr. Denis McCarthy, malariologist to the Zanzibar Government, who arrived by the Awatea yesterday from Sydney on a visit to New Zealand. Dr. McCarthy is a Southlander by birth, and has been in Zanzibar for twelve years. In the control of the malaria-carrying mosquito the draining of swamps was of great help, he said, and one of the most effective ways of draining swamp land was to plant it with eucalyptus. The trees were usually planted four feet apart, but were later thinned out to eight feet spaces, and by this method swamp lands which had four or five feet of water were dried. The use of oil on water, and the blowing of a specially prepared dust compound over infested areas were other means of tackling the problem. The clearing of undergrowth and scrub so that the dust could penetrate freely was esesntial. It was possible, with sufficient money, to free a country of malaria. Zanzibar, he considered, was about 08 per cent. free. Interest in Tuataras Keen interest in the tuatara lizards at the Auckland Zoo was shown by members of the expedition from the American Museum of Natural History, New York, during a visit at the weekend (says the “Herald”). One of the party who has discussed the tuatara in lectures over a period of many years had never before seen a living specimen, having handled museum exhibits only. He hopes to secure permission to take a live one back to the United States. Including one captured at Northcote recently, the Auckland zoo possesses three of these rare New Zealand reptiles. Few overseas zoos have them, the sole specimen at Regent’s Park Zoo. London, for many years being one presented by Sir George Grey in 1868 It was still alive some years ago. Three Times the “Wedding March” The strains of the “Wedding March” filled a Feilding church one day last week The guests stirred and showed the customary eager anticipation of the wedding party. But neither bride nor bridegroom appeared. The strains of the music died down. The guests stirred. Still no olushing bride or happy bridegroom. so manfully the organist returned to the "Wedding March” again. The minutes sped on and the guests became anxious. The organ stopped its pealing and a telephone call revealed that no wedding ring could be found. Frantic search disclosed no ring and still time marched on. Then at last it was suggested that the wedding ring of the bride’s mother be used. The suggestion was acted upon and after a rush to the church the "Wedding March" pealed forth a third time and this time everything went in the traditional manner. The original ring was found the next day in the bridegroom’s bedroom.