GENERAL ITEMS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 76, 23 April 1941, Page 4

GENERAL ITEMS

No Publication on Anzac Day. “The: Mail” will not be published on Anzac Day (Friday). Water Power Development For the development of water power at the Upper Takaka sub-station just over two acres of land nave been taken under the Public Works Act, according to a notice in the “Gazette.” A final reminder is given to dance patrons of the combined dance to be held in Richmond to-night. The social committee of the Basketball and Football Club has arranged a novelty programme, and a dainty supper. Houston’s orchestra has been engaged, popular prices are being charged, and an enjoyable evening is assured.

Outward Mails The Postal authorities advise that outward Wellington steamer mails for Friday, 25th April, close on Thursday, 24th April, at 7.45 p.m. Memorial at Mercury Bay Arrangements have now been made by the Government to erect a memorial to Captain Cook at Mercury Bay, according to advice received by Mr James Thorn, M.P. for Thames, who is chairman of the National Historical Committee set up by the Government. The memorial will be constructed from rhyolite stone from the district, and the work will be done by the Public Works Department. Meicury Bay is one of the landing places of the great navigator that is to be commemorated. While there between sth and 17th November. 1769. he observed the transit of the planet Mercury, ran up the flag, and took possession of the place in the name of King George 111. Outsize Apples The apple crop in the Waikato this season is considered good, and some of the cooking varieties produced for inspection have exceeded 16oz in weight. While these are considered larger than usual, they do not come up to the record one grown at Katikati, which was declared to weigh 41b 2oz. Forest Museums The opinion that if the destruction of forests continued the New Zealander of to-morrow would not know what the Dominion’s native bush was like was expressed at the annual meeting of the Forest and Bird Protection Society by Mrs E. M. Gilmer, who suggested that forest museums be established. The society should protest, she said, against the cutting down for timber of forests that should be national parks. The Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr Parry) said later that he preferred a tree as a* memorial to a brick-and-mortar memorial, and when the final figures were available everyone would be pleased with the number of trees planted in the Centennial year.

Pressure on Switzerland. A letter which has been received by a Dunedin firm from its Swiss agent gives some indication oi the extent to which the people of Switzerland must submit to German pressure. The letter states that it has been necessary since 18th December last to have a special permit from the Axis authorities to export from Switzerland articles such as watch materials, watchmakers’ tools, watch movements, chronographs and clock movements for use on motor cars and aeroplanes abroad. The writer explains that the regulations requiring the permits to be obtained represent a j kind of counter-blockade against the Allies and have as their object the prevention of the use of the articles mentioned by the Allied armies, navies, and air forces or in the manufacture of munitions. British Medical Students for America A plan under which the rockefeller Foundation would bring young British medical students to the United States to complete their education is being worked out with the co-operation of schools both in the United States and in Canada, it was revealed recently in the 1940 report of Raymond B. Fosdick, president of the foundation. “While medical students in England are not subject to draft, the air raids in London and elsewhere throughout Great Britain have imposed excessive demands on all medical schools and teaching hospitals,” Mr Fosdick said. “Destruction has been extensive. In London, at this writing, only one teaching hospital has escaped bombing.” The programme to bring the students to the United States for the remainder of their education was first proposed by the late Lord Lothian, British Ambassador to the United States, who asked the foundation whether it would consider the plan. “Lord Lothian’s suggestion,” Mr Fosdick said, “was warmly supported by leading British medical authorities, and as a result the foundation has appropriated 100,000 dollars to initiate the plan.” Hours of Work. “No general extension, of hours of work has been agreed to, nor will it be agreed to,” the National Executive of the Federation of Labour stated when reporting on the Industrial Emergency Council, which met on seven occasions during the last year. ! “The council had before it an application from the New Zealand Employers’ Federation for a general extension of hours to 44 a week,” the report said. “This was turned down by the council. At the meeting of the council held on 17th December, 1940, a further attempt was made to bring this matter before the council by way of general business, but no formal resolution was presented. The council dealt with a large additional number of applications for the extension of the > 40-hour week at ordinary rates of pay, and for some modification of awards These were first dealt with by the Hours Committee, which recommended that they be not granted, and the Industrial Emergency Council endorsed the committee’s recommendations. A number of other applications have been held over for further information. The work of the Industrial Emergency Council and its Hours Committee has been of the utmost importance. The interests of our members have been carefully safeguarded, and at the same time alterations necessary to maintain and in some cases increase production have been approved.”