SURPRISE EXPRESSED

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25160, 24 March 1945, Page 6

SURPRISE EXPRESSED

FISH FOR AMERICANS NO THREAT EVER MADE "As far as I know, no threats have ever been made by any responsible American official in New Zealand, nor, indeed, has there ever been occasion for threatened retaliation of any kind," said the United States Consul, Mr H. A. Boucher, who expressed surprise yesterday at a statement made by an officer of the National Service Department before the Industrial Manpower Committee on Thursday that the American authorities threatened last year to bring their own fishing craft into New Zealand waters if the local fishing industry could not maintain a sufficient supply of fish for the American forces in the Pacific. Mr Boucher said that in January, 1943, experts of the American Board of Economic Warfare came to Auckland on a general survey of the South Pacific area, but with particular reference to islands north of New Zealand, to ascertain ' in what ways agricultural - and other production could be increased in the war effort. While here the group conferred with fish packers, among other food producers, and learned that no great increase in fish products would be possible without additional fishing craft, equipment and manpower being furnished by the United States or elsewhere. The group considered this impracticable. _ . The following quotation from an official report transmitted bv the_ group to its headquarters in Washington, through the American Consulate, was I given by Mr Boucher:—"We have had j most gratifying co-operation from New | Zealand authorities and received their | full authorisation to operate in their island territories." PATRIOTIC APPEAL SUM OF £760 COLLECTED The street appeal conducted by the Auckland Provincial Patriotic Council yesterday for servicemen's comforts resulted in the collection of £760. There are still several small returns to come. The Birkenhead borough and the Takapuna borough each yielded £BO, and £420 was collected in the city area. ALDERSHOT HONOUR AUCKLAND OFFICER CADET LONDON. March 22 The King presented the Belt of Honour, by a medallion, to an officer cadet from Auckland, D. G. Whiting, at the passing-out parade of infantry officer cadets at Mons Barracks. Aldershot, MINERS' HOLIDAY NO WORK OVER EASTER (0.C.) HUNTLY, Friday All coal mines in the Waikato district, including the open-cast, will observe the Easter holidays this year, following the decision of the Mining Controller. Mr C. H. Benney, and the Miners' Federation, to which the Northern Miners' Union is affiliated, that the miners will not be asked to work over Easter, as they did last year. Good Friday and Easter Monday will be observed as holidays. The miners have not worked on Saturdays since December. RELIEF OF DISTRESS AUCKLAND DISBURSEMENTS "While the original function of the Auckland Metropolitan Unemployment Relief Committee was the relief of distress arising through unemployment,, it is gratifying to report that appeals for assistance on that ground have practically ceased," says the Mayor, Mr J. A. C. Allum, in his report as chairman to be presented at the annual meeting of the committee on Monday. "Disbursements are now made with the equally worthy object of alleviating distress generally." The report shows that the year began with accumulated funds totalling £9056 and closed with a reduced balance of £7588. Seven allocations of £4OO eßch and one of £5lO had been received from art union profits. It is expected that the committee will continue to receive grants of £4OO from each allocation of art union profits. Grants for the relief of distress during the past year totalled £4756 and were dispersed to necessitous cases through 25 approved organisations. Mr Allum suggests that the committee reaffirm the principle of establishing reserves over and above the sums required for immediate distribution and that the list of grants be revised with the object of keeping individual distributions down to a minimum Consistent with the needs of the district and the amelioration of distress. ELDERLY WOMAN INJURED A fractured arm was suffered bv Miss M. Ross, aged 70, of 359 Parnellßoad, when she fell at the corner of St. Stephen's Avenue and Parnell Road last night. She was admitted to the ~nd Hospital. KNOCKED DOWN BY TAXI Alighting at the intersection of the Great South Road and Beach Road, Papakura, from a bus travelling to Pukekohe, shortly after 8 o'clock last night, Leading - Aircraftman C. H. Davy, aged 34, was knocked down by a taxi, He suffered bruises and possible concussion, and after receiving medical attention was taken to the Auckland Hospital. His not serious..