CURRENT TOPICS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7852, 14 July 1911, Page 6

CURRENT TOPICS

STTNDAT ENTERTAINMENT'S. Councillor Atkinson asked the ActingMayor (Councillor J. Smith) at last night's council meeting whether ho knew that, in spite of the "by-law preventing any charge for entertainments on Sundays, the law was being violated in a wholesale fashion. He considered a report should be obtained from the council's officials and the necessary proceedings taken against offenders. The ActingMayor said the matter would be attended to. It seemed that some persons had gone a little beyond the mark and a stop would be put to the practice. APPLE PRODUCTION AT MOTUEKA. Motueka is fast developing its fruitraising industry, and a very practical illustration of what the prospective returns will be is given in the value of land suitable for orchards in that district. Land that could bo obtained al about eight shillings an acre six yeare ago has since changed hands at a minimum of .£lO, while in some cases JB2O i& quoted. Planting is going on so rapidly this winter that on one day over a hundred tons of fruit trees were landed at Motueka wharf. It is estimated that growers have imported 200 tons of Tasmanian anph trees this year. Production has already reached such proportions that it is hoped to get a complete cargo away from the district to England next season. I nothing but fruit is carried in the refrigerating space it is considered that thedifficulties met with in trial shipments will be easily surmounted, and the apples be landed in juat as good condition a Tasmanian apples are. THE LACK OF LABOUR. Employers throughout the Dominion are complaining that they cannot secure a sufficient number of factory hands to enable them to keep pace with the demands of their business, and this, according to statements made in the annual reportof the Wellington Employer's’ Association, is resulting in a very large increase of importations by traders and a corresponding decline in Local manufactures. The two chief causes of the shortage, eays the report, are the , declining birthrate and the disinclination of young people to accept work in factories or ux>rkrooms. The committee believes that there are in the orphanages and charitable institutions of Great Britain large numbers of young people capable of being trained in industries who could be engaged to come to permanent positions in New Zealand, and whose lives would be brightened and outlook enlarged by the change of environment and the prospect of being able to earn their livelihood. It is suggested that the Government should be asked to assist in furthering this project. MUNICIPAL CONGRESS IN WASHINGTON. An International Municipal Congress and exposition, under the auspices of the Association of Commerce, will be held in Washington, U.S.A., from September 18th to 30th next. The Congress will be thoroughly international in its scope, and will be the first one of its kind ever held in the United States. It is intended to set forth by municipal experts the advancement of municipalities by showing the possibilities of making city government an asset, and of capitalising a city's attractions. In a communication to tho City Council, read at last night's meeting, signed by Mr P. C. Knox, Secretary lor State, it is stated that all cities should participate in the congress and exposition if they have anything to olfer in the way of advanced ideas along such tines as charters, forms of government, municipal accounting, parks, playgrounds, taxation, schools, libraries, police, etc. "It is hoped," continued tho letter, "that each city may be represented, by a personal delegation, and by some contribution in the shape of models, charts, photographs, etc." Formal invitations would at a iter date be forwarded directly to municipalities by the Chicago Association of Commerce. Tho question of delegation from Wellington was referred to the Municipal Association. THE OTAKI SEAT, With the advent of an additional candidate in the field for Parliamentory honours, matters political are beginning to show signs of activity in the Otaki electorate. So far Mr Byron Brown, tho "unofficial" Opposition candidate is lying, low, but Mr Monckton, the "official" candidate, is busily engaged in his campaign. His friends profess themselves satisfied with the amount of success they have so far achieved. The new candidate, Mr Robertson, is described as a Labour man, and his appearance in tho arena‘has caused considerable feeling in Shannon, especially among the flax bands, most of whom support Mr. Murdock. The Opposition will probably prevail upon Mr Massey to give a polical address. In tho meantime the Government forces in the electorate are marshalling themselves for the fray. It is an extraordinary thing, but there are voters who throw the whole of the blame of the Racing Commission's report upon the shoulders of the Govern* ment, and it is likely that this will be used as a we%jn of attack by tho Opposition. Of course, the Government is powerless in the matter, but none the less the statement is one that requires to be disposed of and at once. Mr W. H. Field, M.P., will have an opportunity of replying to the Government critics in Levin Town Hall on Friday, the 21st insfr., when, in recognition- of his services to tho district, he will be made a public presentation. Mr Field has greatly strengthened his position in the electorate, and, although it would be folly to hold the scat cheaply, those best qualified to form a reliable estimate regard Mr Field's return as a'certainty. Since the pugilistic encounter between Messrs Brown and Monckton, the former, like Achilles, has been in his tent.