CLOSER LINKS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 24878, 27 April 1944, Page 6

CLOSER LINKS

TRANSTASMAN TKADE DEVELOPMENT IN FUTURE Trade and economic questions affecting New Zealand and Australia wore discussed when the Hon. T. G. de L.. D'Alton, High Commissioner for Australia in New Zealand, met members of the executive councils of the Auckland Manufacturers' Association and the Auckland Chamber of Commerce yesterday. Mr. F. G. Baskett, president of the Chamber of Commerce, presided, and associated with him was Mr. W. J. Truscott, president of the Manufacturers' Association. Welcoming Mr. D'Alton, Mr. Baskett said that war had brought New Zealand and Australia closer together than any other factor could have done. Cooperation between the two countries was vitally necessary in the future, and he was glad to see that already they were shaping toward having one mind in matters political and economic. "One of the aims of my mission is to sort out problems which both coun- , tries have, and which for so long have ; been marked by so many misunder-1 standings," said Mr. D'A ton. Australia is pleased with the Canberra j Pact, and we think that it will help i considerably to solve the difficulties ot ] both countries. There should be as much consultation as possible between US, and regular exchanges oi views should bo made.. "Trade has been disrupted a great deal since the war started, but with the very favourable trend of matters in these areas recently there is a distinct possibility of trade being re ~ opened between Australia and JNew Zealand on the same basis as in peaceThe meeting then took the form of: an informal gathering, and many sub-j iects dealing with trade between the two countries were discussed liankly. At the suggestion of Mr. I) Alton, these proceedings were taken in committee. CHARGE OF DESERTION ENLISTMENT IN AIR FORCE SERVICE IN MERCHANT SHIPS (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday The story of a soldier who deserted from the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force in England, enlisted tor living duties in the Royal Air *orce while on leave, was subsequently discharged from _ the service and then served in various ships until he was arrested in New Zealand, was told at a general court-martial at Irentham. 'The accused was Ronald Twentyman Anderson, aged 31, a married man, formerly of the anti-tank unit in the Second Echelon. The Court s finding will be announced later. Anderson stated that arrested at Auckland he was donkeyman on a coastal ship. In January, 1940, he volunteered for the Army, going to England with the Second Echelon. After six months he concluded he was a misfit in the Army, and while on leave enlisted with the R.A.F. as a wireless operator-air-gunner. He could not stpnd up to the course and was discharged. He had told the R.A.F. authorities that he had come to England as a seaman on a transport from New Zealand. After his discharge he signed. on with a trawler of the fishing fleet. Then he transferred to another ship which picked up high explosives in Canada. He subsequently went in other ships to South America, New \ork and Jamaica, and then joined yet another ship in which he came to New Zealand. In conclusion, he said he did not desert the Army through fear. He simply did notlike it. SOUND FINANCES ' ONE THEE HILL BOROUGH "The sound financial position revealed by the report and accounts may be regarded as satisfactory, but it should be kept in mind that a good deal of essential work could not be done during the year," stated the annual report of the treasurer, presented at a meeting of the One Tree Hill Borough Council last night. The cost of the postponed work would impose a considerable strain on the borough finances at a later date. The net cost credit of the combined revenue accounts stood at £15,130, compared with £11,841 at the close of the previous year. Current municipal rates paid were 98.2 per cent of the net levy of £31,261, compared with 97.2 per cent for the previous year. Expenditure on streets and reserves totalled £7642, compared with £8344 for the previous year, but deterioration of streets and footpaths was continuing because of the labour shortage To meet the heavy cost later to be incurred on that account £ISOO was transferred from the general account. Cash receipts for the year totalled £53,304, and net revenue receipts £50.920, compared with £48.389 for the previous year. Building permits to the value of £224,074 were issued during the year. The report was adopted, the Mayor, Mr. I. J. Goldstine, pointing out that local authorities must have regard to the difficulty in obtaining materials and labour and the consequent saving in expenditure when considering the financial position. However, the position was good, and he congratulated the staff on the year's work. MOUNT EDEN REVIEW SATISFACTORY POSITION A review of the borough finances was presented to the Mount Eden Borough Council last night and members expressed keen satisfaction with the position disclosed. It was shown that the general account, opening with a debit balance of £657 at the beginning of the financial year, 1943-1944, had closed with a credit of £1529. This was mainly accounted for by an increase of £1483 in heavy traffic licence fees, the sum yielded under this head being £3869. The credit balance in the district fund account had grown from. £5170 to £B3BO during the period under review. 'The estimate based on a 95 per cent collection of rates had been exceeded by £l6lß, showing 98 per cent collection.