General News

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 24 October 1942, Page 4

General News

Publication on Monday “The Mail” will be published as usual on Monday next (Labour Day). Ice Cream Prices It is expected that the Price Tribunal will shortly issue an order increasing the prices of ice creams. Mild Cheese 1/- a lb. Commenting on the maximum retail price of Is per lb. just issued for mild cheese by the Price Tribunal, it was stated by the tribunal that from the results of a comprehensive price survey it had taken there would, on an average over-all basis, be no increase in the price to the public, but on the other hand the operation of a generally even price would supersede the present varying prices, from shop to shop and place to place.

Happiness Club Activities The annual report of the Nelson Happiness Club stated that the membership total was 315, an increase of 77 during the year. Since February 169 soldiers’ parcels had been sent and the members on two occasions helped with the packing of the Nelson Provincial Patriotic Council’s parcels. A further 20 parcels were forwarded to relatives of members. Many appreciative letters had been received from soldiers who had received the parcels. Wheat Prices and Costs At a meeting of the South Canterbury executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union strong support was given the Otago proposal suggesting the payment to wheatgrowers of an increase in the f.o.b. prices of wheat to meet rising transport costs. A communication was received from the Otago Primary Production Council suggesting that the attitude of the Minister and the wheatgrowers’ organisations in not conceding this measure of justice to the wheatgrower in the back country was not sound. “This is regrettable,” says the secretary of the Otago Council, “in view of the fact that a good deal of the wheat being produced in the back country areas is being grown purely out of loyalty to the Government in its recent appeal for an increase in our principal foodstuffs.” It was decided, says the “Otago Daily Times,” to support the proposal to ask for relief on all charges in excess of 4d per bushel, f.0.b., and on cartage charges exceeding 6d per bag. New Aeroplane Detector The ability of many dogs to identify their owners’ motor cars by the sound of their engines when they are still a considerable distance away is common knowledge, but an instance of even keener intelligence on the part of a dog is related by Sapper Johnston, who is attached to a New Zealand engineering corps in the Middle East, in a letter to his parents in Portobello. Sapper Johnston states that this dog, a small terrier of no particular breed, can distinguish unerringly between the sound of an Axis aeroplane and a British machine. When an Axis aeroplane is approaching in the distance, Sapper Johnston writes, the terrier sets up a loud and excited barking, and it is then time to bolt for cover, while if the machine is a British one the dog is quite undisturbed and remains silent.

Need for Architects A suggestion that the Government should assume the responsibility of establishing bursaries of sufficient value to maintain students of architecture at the university during the required four years of full-time attendance was made by Professor C. R. Knight in a • peciai report pre ented to the Auckland University Council. “It is obvious that there will be an unprecedented demand for architects after the war,” staled Professor Knight in his report. “Even if New Zealand escapes destruction of its buildings by enemy action, two factors influence the situation—the anticipated acceleration in building in this country and Empire reconstruction. Returned soldiers and other students unfit for active service should, therefore, be encouraged to enter the university School of Architecture. Finance is the major factor in this matter. At present it is easy to obtain employment at good salaries, and the only undertake a full-time course* of training would be to grant bursaries of sufficient value.” Potato Problem New Zealand is not alone in suffering a potato dearth. The Australian Food Council has indicated that civilians will be able to obtain about slb of potatoes each week by November. In the following month the ration would probably exceed lib, and by January it would be between l£lb and 21b. After January the existing shortage would disappear, and there would be no recurrence. The chairman of the council, Mr Beasley, declared that the public should be told of the position. The shortage was due to the fact that, until the Government appointed a food council, there was no organised control of potato production. During the last six months, however, potato plantings had been rigidly controlled, and the effect would be felt within the next two months. Tribute to Chinese Clerks “Chinese are among the finest clerical workers we have in our service,” said Mr James Morton, general manager of the South British Insurance Company, in returning thanks for a vote of appreciation passed to the staff at an annual meeting. “To the Chinese the task is always more important than the reward, and their loss is a severe one,” he added. There was no news of the fate of many of them since the Japanese occupied the territory where they were engaged, but all who could be found would receive the bonus that had been voted to the staff. Imports of Dates The Dominion’s date requirements for the year will be imported by the Government for distribution by the Food Controller, and seventh period import licences should therefore be surrendered. This advice (says “The Press”) has been received by the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce. The charber has also been advised that in the case of salt, excluding salt in pack-

ages under 51b, it has been decided to grant licences for imports in the seventh period from the United Kingdom and Australia for amounts equivalent of those for which licences (to import from the same sources) were granted in 1942. Applications to import from other sources will be considered. Valuable Community Effort A group of men and women students from the University of Otago have established a Co-ed. Club, with a view to providing some form of recreation on Sunday evenings for boys and girls from 14 to 18 years of age, many of whom have previously had no way of occupying their time. The Y.M.C.A. has placed its hail and cafeteria at the disposal of the club, which arranges a programme usually consisting of games, community singing, supper, and a short talk, followed by a discussion. Prayers are held at the conclusion of the evening for those who desire to participate. The sponsors hope that the effort will do much to foster among the members of the club a sense of responsibility for the welfare of the community. Considering the difficulties that have been encountered, the meetings have been of a very orderly character.