SAVED FROM SEA

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 25047, 10 November 1944, Page 6

SAVED FROM SEA

BATHEBS IN BANGER BOUGAINVILLE RESCUES (R.N.Z.A.F. Pacific News Service) ' BOUGAINVILLE, Nov. 0 Seven men who got into difficulties in a tricky surf were saved during one lunch-hour on the beach at Bougainville. Their rescue by an R.N.Z.A.F. life-saving team provided much excitement for a large crowd of onlookers. Fortunately when the alarm was raised the life-saving team was actually in the water carrying out instructional work. Two men were brought in suffering slightly from shock. The others were in varying stages of exhaustion. The swimmers got into difficulties because of a sudden change of tide which was accompanied by a strong rip. Two men, an American and a New Zealander, neither of whom could swim, were first noticed in difficulties by the life-saving team. Four men swam out to the men in trouble, and by the aid of the line they were able to make their way to the beach. While the two men were being given assistance, five other men were seen further out beyond the breakers. They were all in trouble and were more than 250 yards offshore. One who was calling loudlv for help managed to keep himself above water by clinging to an inflated mattress cover. The remaining four were making an effort to reach the beach, but could make no headway against the rip. The man who called for help was the first to be rescued, and help was then given to the others. Leading-Aircraftman (!. M. Connor, of Christchureh. with Flying-Officer M. R. Hamilton, also of Chrisfcliurcli. in support, played a conspicuous part in the rescue work. They were assisted by L. .T. North, of Auckland. K. V. Bliss (Hamilton). (■'. Fugle (Auckland) and .1. (\ Barber (Wanganui), who did the swimming in the second rescue. Life-saving was inaugurated at Bougainville in September, and altogether L'S* men have been given assistance, and ( )f that number six were definitely saved from drowning. MANUFACTURERS MEET MANPOWER CONTROL POPULATION QUESTION (P.A.) DU2JEDIN. Thursday The annual meeting of the New Zealand Manufacturers' Federation was held in Dunediu today. The president, .Mr lan Matheson, of Wellington, presided. .Mr Matheson, also the vice-presi-dent, .Mr W. J. 'I iiiscott, and the treasurer, Mr .). Abel, were re-elected. The annual meeting was concluded at lunch time. A meeting of the council was held this afternoon and will be continued tomorrow. ft was resolved that the federation should at the earliest moment make strong representations to the Minister of Manpower, Mr McLagan, and the Controller of Manpower, Mr It. L. Beckett, asking for strong and definite enforcement of the manpower regulations in respect of all parties. Another resolution favoured the setting up of a Royal Commission to investigate population trends and the taking of steps to encourage the natural increase of the Dominion's population. It was further resolved that the Government be asked to facilitate the permanent settlement, first, of war orphans from Britain and, secondly, those from other European countries. LABOUR CONFERENCE VARIOUS REMITS CARRIED (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Thursday The Labour Party conference today, after hearing the report of its Land and Agriculture Committee, unanimously adopted the following remit: "That the Government be complimented on its policy of assisting the farming industry in .so many valuable ways, which policy has made possible the New Zealand farmers' splendid record of wartime production." Another remit endorsed by the conference was: "That reafforestation and control of indiscriminate burning be given full attention for the prevention of soil erosion." Another portion of the same remit which was before a committee was: "That unearned increment in land be returned to the community." The committee's recommendation was that, while it endorsed the principle involved in the remit, it considered the matter should be held over while the Land Sales Act, 1913, was in operation. The conference adopted this recommendation. It was decided to refer to the Native Affairs Department for favourable consideration a remit to the effect that Maoris be given settlement on Maori long-term lease lands, the leases of which are about to expire. STATE HOUSING PROVISION AT DEVONPORT Advice that State housing construction was to be expedited at Devonport has been received - by the Devonport Borough Council from the Minister of Housing, Mr Scmple. Referring to the council's suggestion that the Narrow Neck military camp site would provide an ideal location for State housing, the Minister said the question whether the camp could be moved and the site made available was one for the .Minister of Defence to decide. Should the site become available, he would start, as early as possible, the necessary investigation as to its suitability for housing purposes. Mr Semplc added that the Director of Housing Construction had been requested to review the matter of any other vacant Crown lands in Devonport which were now being held for defence purposes and which might bo suitable for housing.