General News

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 14 April 1945, Page 4

General News

Rearing Heifer Calves Grave concern was expressed by members of the Rotorua Primary Production Council at the shortage of dairy stock in the Dominion. A request was made to the National Council to urge on the Government the advis-. ability of implementing a plan whereby dairy farmers would be encouraged to lear more good quality heifer calves, the surplus of which could be acquired by the Government for grazing land development scheme and be available for purchase by rehabilitated returned servicemen. Exaggerating? "Where is the shortage ol’ clothing?” asked the employers’ representative (Mr R. T. Webb) in the Industrial Manpower Appeal Committee in Christchurch during the hearing of an appeal. "There seems to be plenty of stuff in the shops. Are not you people exaggerating?” "I am giving you the exact figures of staff shortages,” a woollen manufacturing company’s representative (Mr R. T. Bailey) replied. "I think there is a little exaggeration at times,” remarked Mr Webb. Replying to a question by the chairman (Mr J. E. Jones), Mr Bailey said 46 machines were idle in the clothing factory, 23 in the frock and costume factory. 25 in the shirt factory, and six*in the cap factory. Mr Webb: Yet with that shortage we are still clothed. "And well clothed, too.” interposed the employees’ representative (Mr P. J. Kelly). A “Gas Episode” While he was delivering a lecture entitled "Lucretius. Philosopher and Poet.” at a meeting of the Christchurch Classical Association at Canterbury University College. Mr L. G. G. Greenwood of Cambridge University, inadvertently turned on the tap of a gas faucet attached to a demonstration bench on which he was leaning. There was a sharp hissing sound audible throughout the room, as jho gas escaped, apparently unnoticed by the lecturer. Eventually, a member of the audience left his seat and turned the tap off. The incident was repeated towards The end of Mr Greenwood s address. The president (Professor L. G. PocQck), in thanking the speaker, apologised for what he termed the "gas episode,” and suggested that the ghost of Lucretius might have had something to.do with it. Visits tq Prisons The appointment of prison justices was the subject of a remit passed at the annual conference of the New Zealand Justices of the Peace Association. In moving that future appointments should be referred to the local justices’ association for approval, Mr G. J. Errington, of Otago, said that the associations were the most competent bodies to make recommendations. The seconder of the remit. Mr G. Stratton, of Otago, said that the resolution should also apply to such appointments as official visitors to mental institutions. Justices would be the most suitable persons for this work. The motion was tarried, Prisoners’ Lives Saved How the intervention of Pope plus in Madrid had save the lives of about 200 Gormans who had been captured with the Communist International Brigade during the Spanish revolution was related by the Rev. Dr. O. Snedrlep to the Catholic Men’s Luncheon Club at Auckland. At. the end of hostilities the Nazis demanded that the Germans should be sent back for trial in German Courts, Dr. Snedden said. Pressure was brought to bear on General Franco, and it was the protest of the Pope to Madrid .against handing over the prisoners that prevented their return to a fate it would be easy to imagine.

Entertainment of Passive Sort "The partial success last year of the attempt to form voluntary classes in artistic, scientific and constructive hobbies has encouraged another attempt this year,” said the principal of the Rangiora High School (Mr J. E. Strachan) when making his report at the monthly meeting of the High School Board. "We are devoting a little less time, however, to these activities, and have rearranged the timetable so that no other lesson is missed. One tendency we have had to restrain in these voluntary classes, as, indeed, in any ordinary class work, is a predilection for entertainment of a passive sort, rather than personal development or active participation in a significant activity. Another discovery we are making as teachers is the utter inadequacy of the ’bookish’ or academic kind of education most of us had in our day.”

“No riacc for Low' Standards” "Let there be no mistake about our responsibilities as teachers.” said Mr Hawke, Senior Inspector of Schools for Southland, in an address to the Southland branch of the N.Z.E.I. "Wc arc part of a social scale and all are not of the same calibre, but there should never be at any time in our schools any place for low standards and shoddy work. The parent has the undoubted right to ask that his child be given a sound training in the basic skills, fundamentals and tool subjects, taught to read intelligently, calculate quickly and accurately, have a good knowledge of tables and table items, with an understanding of their practical application, and that he reach under our direction a reasonable standard in writing, spelling and written expression.” Coal Carbonisation Industry The preparation of a case for the establishment of a coal carbonisation industry in the South Island for submission to the Minister of Mines Mr P. C. Webb) and Government departments was decided upon by the coal carbonisation committee of the South Island Local Bodies’ Association. Members of the committee present were the Mayor of Christchurch (Mr E. H. Andrews), Mr J J. Hurley, the Mayor of Greymouth (Mr F. A. Kitchingman), and Mr F. W. Archer dnangahua County Council). Mr Andrews said, after the meeting, .that analyses of various coals had been obtained by the committee, which was composed of men who knew something of coal and its treatment. While certain coals in themselves might not be suitable lor carbonisation, blending could probably produce the right grade. "If such an industry were established, it would.be of immense benefit to the Dominion,” he said. "A host of valuable chemicals are produced and the industry would give direct and indirect employment to large numbers of men.” “No Professionals” The matter of payment to members of iocal bodies for attending meetings was touched upon in the report of the New Zealand Farmers' Union to the Parliamentary Committee on Local Government. "The union is of the opinion,” it said, "that there should be some reasonable payment for out-of-pocket expenses, but that the payment should not be such as to create a class of professional local body politicians.” Care of Children A number of remits relating to young people and children was passed at the annual conference of the New Zealand Justices of the Peace Association. One remit dealt with loitering on the streets at night and it was decided to ask the Minister of Justice to enact a law giving the police authority to question young people and to order them to return to their homes. Concern was expressed at the harmful effects young children might suffer as the result of giving evidence in open Court and it was resolved to ask that the law be amended so that magistrates could interview children privately in their rooms. Another remit asked that magistrates be permitted to use their discretion regarding corporal punishment in cases heard in the Children’s Court. Local Government Inquiry The Parliamentary Committee on Local Government finished its present sittings in Wellington yesterday. No more Wellington evidence will be token till the end of next month. Beer-gluss Bterill|tttion Compulsory use of violet-ray sterilisers for "handles” and glasses in hotel bars was advocated by Mr G. P. W. Hurley before the Royal Commission on Licensing yesterday. They were already used in some milk bdrs. he pointed out. The chairman. Mr Justice Smith, directed that his evidence be referred to the Health Department. The marking of glass* and "handles” used in bars with their capacity, as he said was done in some countries. was advocated by Mr F. *H. Grecnhwav. who gave evidence based on his observations abrouc.*