BRITISH-ITALIAN DIFFICULTY ADJUSTED

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 11 March 1940, Page 4

BRITISH-ITALIAN DIFFICULTY ADJUSTED

THERE will be general satisfaction and feelings of relief except in Germany at the announcement of a settlement of the dispute between Britain and Italy regarding the detention of ships bound for Italy laden with German coal. Control of the sea by the Allies makes possible the contraband control which is one of their most powerful weapons—a weapon differing vastly from the Germans’ murderous methods by U-boats and from the air, in which all vessels are liable to ruthless bombing and machine-gun attack. The Scandinavian nations have suffered most, but Italian vessels have not escaped. One Italian ship was a victim last week of Nazis’ indiscriminate sea murderfare. This incident may or may not have affected the attitude of Italy in the coal ships dispute. It is more likely that Italy, with her traditional friendship for Britain in mind—admittedly not merely platonic friendship—was awake to the fact that she herself was an approving partner with Britain and France in the last war when Britain proclaimed similar contraband control conditions, and enforced them, with Italy’s assistance. However, possible reasons influencing a settlement do not call for speculation. Great Britain has agreed to release the German-coal-laden ships she had detained. They would have been released after their cargo had been discharged—financial adjustment to be made later—but now there appears to have been an agreement for immediate release. Italy, it is stated, was under a genuine misapprehension regarding the date upon which the contraband control was to apply to the coal shipments. Apparently there has been the good will on both sides that was hoped for. Italy has agreed not to send any more ships to pick up German coal at neutral ports, and vessels awaiting coal in those ports will return home in ballast. It is reported that Herr von Ribbentrop, who is visiting Italy, had hoped to make the most of the dispute between Britain and Italv. but it was settled, in a friendly way while he was travelling to Rome. The Italian Press has also given much more prominence to the settlement than it did to the visit of the German Foreign Minister, and it continues to insist upon Italy maintaining an attitude of non-belligerency.”

Farmers and Enlistment From a discussion which took place at a meeting of the Wellington District Council of the Federated Young Farmers’ Club last week, it was made clear that many young farmer were uncertain as to whether they should enlist for overseas service or remain on the farm for production purposes. | states “The Post’s” Palmerston North I representative. There was before the j meeting a remit from the Waipukurau ! Club which asked that the Govern- • rnent be requested to indicate definitej]y whether service in the forces or i production was the more esesntial at j j the present time. The remit viewed ' the situation of young farmers en- J 1 listing “with alarm.” it being reported i r.hat at least one-third of the memI bers had either enlisted or gone overj seas. The following motion was carj vied:—“Tha in view of the uncertain- i tv in the minds of many Young Farmers’ Club members, this council requests the Government to indicate definitely whether service or primary ! production is the more essential at 1 present.” I Tree Surgery ; In his report to the Devon port j Borough Council last week the borough ! engineer, Mr A. T. Griffiths, referred to I a remarkable piece of tree surgery carj ried out by the borough gardener, Mr H. S. Poynter, on a fine puriri tree in , {the Dominion, which had been badly ring-barked by some mischievous person (reports the “Star”). By grafting ! i on strips of bark from another tree of 1 11 the same variety, the damage had been ; . remedied ancl the tree had fully recov- j , ered. The council expressed its appre- j ’ j ciation of the gardener’s skill, particu- ' r larly with reference to the preservation ; of such aa valuable sample of New Zea- j . land shade tree. [ Te Anau Scenic Beauties The undeveloped scenic beauties at the southern end of Lake Te Anau, particularly a nest of beautiful little lakes at the foot of Mount Luxmore, were * referred to by Dr. J. A. Pottinger at . a meeting of the Southland Progress League, reports the “Southland T rues.” The area was a glorious scenic one 1 which could be opened up—with a - track of four or five miles providing a : most enjoyable walk, he said. It would » be an added attraction to toruists from [ Australia, of whom there should be ‘ large numbers when the Homer Tunnel i was opened up and after the war. The » league decided to approach the Minis- £ ter in charge of tourist resorts and ask him to consider opening up certain *, scenic country at the southern end of t Lake Te Anau. l ( Wool-pack Industry 3 Comment, which could only be deli scribed as caustic, was expressed in t Auckland on Thursday concerning the proposed Government control of the ’ wool-pack industry in New Zealand. states the “New Zealand Herald.” The 1 general opinion was well summed up r in one statement that it was the last . straw in a series of incidents which have made the industry nothing but a costly farce. “Why farmers put up « with a system which forces them to * pay for an industry which is uneconot mic, to say the least, is more than I , can understand,” said one man who is ' prominent in the stock and station 1 agency business. “If it were left to the - normal channels, farmers could save more than 6d a pack, which amounts . to hundreds of thousands of pounds over the whole of New Zealand in one season alone.” Quite apart from the * price question, astonishment was exs pressed in financial circles that the t Government should wish to gain control of an industry which had been proved to be uneconomifc in spite of the greatest assistance. The Government apparently was determined to carry out its programme of socialisation, even if it meant carrying on a non-paying concern, notwithstanding the fact that the farming community was paying for the venture.

Bonus Offered for Houses In desperation some Auckland people are now offering a bonus to secure a suitable house to live in. In one case as much as £ls is being offered for a house to let on the outskirts of the city, reports the “New Zealand Herald.” Houses to let at a reasonable rental and within a convenient distance from the city are reported to be almost unprocurable. A few months ago it was thought there would be some easing of the situation, as a result of homes being broken up with the entry into camp of married men and changes in the living arrangements of their families. So far there is little evidence of this affording relief to the housing shortage. Might Be a Guess “This question of ‘last opportunity’ is now reduced to split seconds in being applied to motor cars moving so fast that you have to guess what the other car is going to do,”’ remarked Mr Justice Blair when a motor collision case was being reviewed before him in the Supreme Court at Auckland in an argument for a new trial. His Honour said the test was borrowed from maritime practice, but ships on a course were slow moving and distinctive in their motions to change course in comparison with motor cars on a road. So that in discussing last opportunity as applied to motorists one realised that in a split second a driver sometimes had to make a decision on some other driver’s doubtful action, and it might be a guess that was wrong. A harn-up ball will be held in the Stoke Dance Hall next Wednesday night. Intending patrons are requested to wear any old clothes and a great evening’s fun is expected. There will be novelties and prizes and the person having the best hard-up costume will receive a prize. Music will be by Mr Harold Williams’s Dance Band. Prooftex Tweed Skirts! The ideal Skirt for Golf or everyday wear. The material is definitely waterproof. Shade* are Airforce and Teal. S.W. and Wms. 25/6.—McKay’s.* See the latest in Gay Striped Georgette Blouses! The conventional Blouse for Evening and Bridge wear. Very full Bishop sleeves and turn-down collar. 25/6. At McKay’s.* At McKay’s: Wool lined Locknit Princess Slips, fully gored. Brassiere up--14/6 *astel shades S.W.. W., 13/6; O.S. It has often been asked why some of our beautiful New- Zealand native woods are not utilised in the manufacture of tobacco-pipes. But it was done half-a-century ago. In 1884 an Auckland firm of tobacconists after years of experimenting produced a variety of*pipes fashioned from puriri and other sweetsmelling native woods and which were proudly declared to be “equal to the best imported samples from Europe.” Yet no pipes of this kind are to be had now. But there are no fewer than five brands of New Zealand grown and manufactured tobaccos which connoisseurs pronounce equal to anything imported. In fact, in one most important respect these tobaccos are actually superior to the imported because they are practically free from nicotine—eliminated by toasting—and are thus safe to smoke to any extent, even to excess. The five brands of (he genuine toasted: Cut Plug No. 10 (Bullshead) Navy Cut No. 3 (Bulldog), Cavendish, Riverhead Gold and Desert Gold richly merit their immense popularity. Their fame has spread far beyond these islands.*