SIFTINGS

Northland Age, Volume 3, Issue 52, 28 September 1934, Page 5

SIFTINGS

Russia’s annual subscription to the League of Nation’s finances will equal Britain’s, which is fixed at £225,000 for the 1935 Budget—the largest contribution made by any single State to date.

“Tea cannot be produced in New Zealand. If we can reduce the tax on beer, we can surely remove it altogether on tea.”—M. J. Savage, M.P. The “Hokianga” will in future make regular weekly trips to Hokianga from Auckland, instead of from Onehunga as she previously did. On a charge of overloading with bobby calves —62 on a vehicle with an ordinary capacity of 30—a Dargaville carrier was fined £lO and costs.

As a result of a divergence of opinion between the central executive of the New Zealand Legion and the Dunedin executive, the members of the latter have resigned in a body. It is expected that Colonel Closey will be in the district speaking on “Currency Reform” in about January. In October, Colonel Closey, will start on an extensive tour of the North Auckland district.

“Summer-time” will come into operation throughout New Zealand at 2 a.m. next Sunday. It will then be necessary to advance all clocks 30 minutes.

“The revenue from tea approximates £150,000 per annum, and I am going to say clearly and definitely that we cannot at this stage contemplate a reduction in the duty.’”— Minister of Customs (J. G. Coates). The British Ministry of Agriculture announces that it is reducing foreign egg imports and initiating discussions with the Dominions and the Irish Free State with a view to arranging for reductions. “Where there were industries in the Dominion the Labour Party is prepared to assist them in proportion to their efficiency, but where there is no industry in the Dominion and where the commodity is in general use the Labour Party believe there should be no duty.”—P. Fraser, M.P. “Japan is the best-governed country in the world, but I do not like its method of Government. Italy and Germany are the most governed countries. Denmark is the country with the most simple and effective form of Government. Italy an I Java are the most beautiful countries.” — H. Rosenburg, Danish Author.

“You have all expressed approval of wool research, but you want somebody else to pay for it.”—Professor Alexander, director of Canterbury Agricultural College, Lincoln, at a meeting of the general committee of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association.

A wee fly from Aberdeen with a greedy taste for ragwort is expected by scientists ultimately to rid New Zealand of this troublesome weed. It is a parasite, and takes the easiest way to multiply and nourish its kind. Attracted by the flower of the ragwort, it lays its eggs therein, and the maggots live on the seeds. Contending that those directing the affairs of the New Zealand Legion have been responsible for ideas which are too nebulous, Mr. J. Hislop, of Devonport, has resigned from the chairmanship of the Auckland executive of the organisation. Mr. Bernard Morris, who was secretary, also has resigned. The minority report of the Parliamentary Monetary Committee found support at the executive meeting of the Auckland branch of the Farmers’ Union. A resolution was carried last Friday expressing thorough approval of the minority report and according heartiest thanks to Mr. H. M. Rushworth, M.P., for his sterling work on the committee.

“We particularly noticed in various places we visited that margarine was produced in such excellent form and appearance that in many instances it was hard to distinguish it from butter. The price, of course, of margarine pure and simple was less than half the price of butter, but margarine mixed with butter was roughly twice the price of pure margarine, but at the same time cheaper than the real article.”—A. G. Blair, of Wellington, just returned from visit to Britain.

Other countries, including Italy, are following Germany’s campaign to find substitutes for raw materials. An Italian professor at Ueda has patented a new “silk wool,” while Italian rayon manufacturers are reported to have invented a new material named “national cotton.”

Voting carried on for two days at the recent Wellington Horticultural Society’s show resulted in kowhai easily topping the poll as New Zealand’s national flower. The voting was Kowhai, 586 votes ; pohutukawa and rata, 389 ; clematis, 228 ; manuka, 124.

The directors of the Hikurangi Coal Company have decided that, as operations in the present locality of the shaft colliery were fraught with so many difficulties, they were not prepared to continue the operations. The company controls the adjoining Waro colliery and will continue work there as long as possible. The New Zealand Dairy Produce Board has again this year made arrangements by which residents in the Dominion can have delivered to friends in Britain a Christmas gift of 41b. of finest New Zealand butter.

The Hobson County Council decided at its last meeting to make representations to the Government in regard to the rebate on rates.