GENERAL ITEMS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 14 June 1939, Page 6

GENERAL ITEMS

Unemployed in England “There is something lacking in the politicians of Great Britain when there are men walking the streets with nothing to do.” said Mr H. R Best, speaking to members of the Christchurch Accountant Students’ Society < reports "The Press"). Mr Best, who was speaking on his impressions abroad, said that ’ seeing men in England with nothing to do had put a damper on his trip. Tt had taken him some time, he said, to get over it. Mr Best also expressed his disappointment with the New Zeaj land display at the Glasgow Exhibition, i "The New Zealand exhibit was very in- . significent compared with some of the other Dominions’ displays.” he said Decorations Cost £50,000 In 30 years there has been a vast improvement in the city of Naples, according to Mr H. R. Best, who addressed members of the Christchurch Accountant Students' Society on his impressions abroad. On his first visit to Italy. Mr Best found Naples a dirty, unattractive effy: but when he arrived there last year shortly before the visit of Herr Hitler, he said he saw a wonerdful improvement. The streets of the city were gaily festonned for the visit of Herr Hitler, and it was said that j £50.000 had been spent on the decor-

Qualily of New Zealand-Made Goods Several instances of dissatisfaction with the quality of New Zealand-made fine skin gloves have been brought under the notice of Auckland retailers during the past week or two (says the "Star"). The purchasers have been women who were formerly accustomed to buy imported makes, and in each case the price was higher than that paid within recent months for gloves of equal or better quality made overseas. One of the purchaser; was the wife of an Auckland member of Parliament. and when .her husband was informed of the complaint he decided that the matter was one of such importance as to call for immediate investigation. Retailers informed him that glove-making was a highly-skilled craft, in which a number of European countries had specialised for a long period. Britain had been unable to compete in certain types of gloves, and it was therefore impossible for New Zealand manufacturers to provide a reasonablypriced substitute of good quality.

Sheep Judging at Show A suggestion that rams in one or more sections at the Centennial Royal Show at Invercargill in December should be led out for judging was referred to the grounds committee at a meeting of directors of the Southland Agricultural and Pastoral Association. Mr W. Falconer said that sheep were led out for judging at important shows in England, and he thought it could be tried in one section in Invercargill. He did not think it would make much difference to exhibitors, as rams were usually haltered. Mr A. S. Holms said sheep were led for judging at the Sydney shows, and this made the judging more interesting to the spectators, who had no opportunity to watch when he work was done in the pens He hesitated to .raise the question at a time when exhibitors were in difficulties because of the shortage of labour, he though it was quite practicable. It was decided to refer the question to the grounds committee for favourable consideration if there was enough space near the pens. Praise for Police Methods Praise for the methods adopted by the Auckland police during the Piha case was given by Mr Matthew Cowley, president of the New Zealand Mission of the Church of Latter Day Saints, who addressed the Auckland Rotary Club this week on “War Against Crime in America’ (reports the “Herald”). He said all the evidence in that case was secured and thoroughly investigated before the accused were arrested or the full facts were published. It was a contrast with American methods, whereby the press had permission to publish anything it could discover, and even claimed access to police files, before any arrest was made. Criminals thus became aware of 'every move made against them.

Government Posts A statement that the Government had committed an illegal act in appointing Mr C. L. Hunter, who had unsuccessfully contested the Manawatu seat at the last election, to the position of liaison officer to the Labour Department was made by Mr S. G. Holland. M.P., speaking at Cambridge. Mr Holland said the question was not a personal one and he had no doubt Mr Hunter was highly qualified. Nevertheless. the Electoral / ct, 1927. prohibited the appointment of a defeated Parliamentary candidate to the public service within 12 months of an election Such appointments struck at the very foundations of the civil service. There was a penalty of £SO a day for appointing discarded members of Parliament to the civil service. A voice: “Why don’t you try the law out?” Mr Holland: "That is the Government’s job.” The speaker also criticised the appointment of Mr D. Barnes to a position in the State Advances Corporation after having lost his seat at the last election. Cat Shepherds Poultry A Rotorua householder was amazed on a recent morning to see hi 6 cat, a completely untrained animal, quietly round up several of his neighbour’s hens and work them bock into their own property like any veteran sheepdog. The cat made no hurried endeavour to take them all at once, but ushered them through a hole in the fence, one after the other, making no flurry, and doing the job efficiently. Moreover, he waited several minutes to make sure that the birds did not come back.