NEWS OF THE DAY

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 10085, 26 September 1918, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY

A oTiestion put to Mr C. W. Tanner at hi s election meeting last night was whether, as females were becoming numerically stronger than males, he would be in favour of polygamy, "I have only had one wife," said Mr Tanner, in reply, "and I never want another." (Loud laughter.)

It is understood that the Mascotte Picture Company at Petone has disponed of its interest in the Empire Thnatre to the New Zealand Picture Supplies, Ltd.

Iflie British Post Office, cable companies, and Paciflo Board notify they have discontinued advices of _ non-de-livery or re-direction of soldiers' expeditionary force messages (E.F.M.Js).

A charge of causing actual bodily harm to Phillip McLaughlin was preferred against Walter Savage in the Magistrate's Court yesterday- On the application of the police, Savage was remanded on bail for one week.

It would seem that the movement to eliminate Saturday work, as adopted recently by various factories in Auckland, is destined to have a wider application. The firm of Chandler and CcL, Ltd., advertising contractors, has also decided to give a trial of the five full days' week with it s employees, and this decision not only covers the paint a-ooin and electrical departments, but also applies to the professional and clerical staff of the firm.

A correspondent writes inquiring: ''Can we not fight our own internal fights and run our own affairs without continuously 'Calling the other side Germans and Huns and making reference to scraps of paper, etc." He.suggests that , such tactics are smallminded, and urges: "Let us out out aJI reference to Berlin when we have our own little troubles to consider. Let us consider the merits of each case, and not diesoend to abusing each other."

The questions put to Mr C. W. Tanner afc his election meeting last night Were many and varied. One questioner wished to know if the candidate would introduce into Parliament, if elected, b. measure for the suppression of wowserosm. ' Wowserism, said the questioner, was becoming a very active element in the country, and if not subdued it would be* impossible shortly for any clean-living .man to stay in the Dominion. ''lf fou elect me," shouted back Mr Taliner, in reply, "it will be the greatest knock wowserism liias ever had."/'-; (Great enthusiasm.)

A picture of considerable interest is on view at' the present time. This is an oil painting by Mr J. E. S venison (late of ,M<jrrißon r s Bush), of what is now known as Lamhton quay, with Pipitea. Point in the distance, as seen from Flagstaff Hill in 1842. Flagstaff Hill, as old' settlers know, was just behind Stewart Dawson's corner, the hill having been cut away considerably since tfee year mentioned. This picture was bequeathed to the Early Settlers an-S Historical Association by the late Mr "W. T. Dunn, of Greytown, and at the time is to be seen in Messrs Yeitoh and Allan's windows, 1 Cuba str«et.

A meeting of the executive council of the Wellington Competitions Society was held', last evening, Mr Helliwell presiding.. The secretary reported that entries •n-ere coming to hand from all parts of. New Zealand, and the council's estimate of probable entries would be greatly exceeded. Messrs S. Kelly, E. E. Hammond, and Captain' Macfarlane were elected members of the executive council. It was resolved to allow competitors in the children's action songs 'to- have their, own accompanist. Mr W. Brown was appointed official piper feer the Highland dancing. A number of applications. for enrolment as honorary members has been received, and as the number of members will be limited, the council advise early application to prevent disappointment.

A case that came before the War Relief Association last month was mentioned by Mr G. Shirtcliffe at yesterday's meeting of the executive. He said that Mr J. Lewis was reported ae having mentioned the case of an experienced farmer who waß unable to obtain land because he had no security to offer. The man in question called upon Mr Shirtcliffe some days afterwards, and wished to remove what he considered was a wrong impression. Mr Shirtcliffe related the true position, which ->raß, in effect, that the pig farm which ■'•he man had in view was considered- unsuitable by the authorities, and tha,t the Government had since provided for him in a proper manner. The department had treated the man very well, and there was no cause for complaint. Mr Lewis concluded stating that "ttie facts I have placed before you were exactly as given to'me."

M.any residents of Hutt and Petone are fully convinced that the_ time has arrived when the amalgamation of the boroughs should be brought about. Somo time ago a conference took place between the representatives of the respective cotmcils, but beyond discussing the ciuostion nothing was done. Petone 'has only a small rating area compared J with Hutt, and it is questionable if it ; amounts to more than 600 acres after the Government-owned land, on which no rates are paid, and that taken up in * street formation, are deducted. The population is increasing to such an extent, that tho timo ia approaching when Petono will burst its present bounds and flow over into the Hutt borough, where there is an abundance of unoccupied privately-owned land. Amalgamation, it is contended, would doensase the present administrative expenses to an appreciable extent, and help in developing the district. A ratepayer has suggested the matter of amalgamation, and has written to each council on the subject. Petone has signified its willingness to discuss the matter, but Hutt has turned the suggostioin down, on the ground that no good will come out of it.

Referring to the announcement of the withdrawal of ..ships from .the. Australasian trade--in-order-to- transport food from North America to Europe, a correspondent signing himself "Returned Soldier" observes that to cut the commerce of this country off for, say, two years, would bring • the, people to a true sense of what war really .means..

A draft of men for the CI Camp assembled at Buckle street Drill Hall yesterday afternoon. There was not an absentee unaccounted for, and the men, to the number .of over forty, after being addressed by Lieutenant Thomson, in the absence of Major A. A. Corrigan, Group Commander, wero given leave until this morning, when they will parade at the Lambton railway station and entrain for camp. The majority of the reoruits are married men, and from their apeparonce they should, in a short while, swell the ranks of the fit A' Division. " '

Lord 'Pirrie. interviewed this month after a visit to the shipyards, said forty-nine yards are now exclusively engaged an cargo shipbuilding. A large reduction has been effected in outfitting after the vessels have been launched. "The nuestion of urther concrete construction," he said, "requires serious consideration." The principal reason for the adoption of it last year was the shortage of steel "and the lack of skilled labour. It is now found that a larger proportion of skilled labour is required than originally considered necessary.

In an address delivered by Professor Maxwell Walker, at Auckland, on "Woodrow Wilson: "The Man and His Work," he stated that there could be no doubt that our. opinion concerning this great man had uhdergpne a change during'the past two years. Our. opinions of him two years ago -were coloured by considerations of national advantage, and were formed because he would not. at that time, consent to fight and throw His weight into this great struggle. We had arrived at a stage now when most people in the world recognised that he stood forth as one of the predominant figures in the world.

The Red Cross "Our Day" flag drive is proving very popular, and the canvassers for sale of, flags have met with a hearty response. Many of the heads of various establishments have made a point of having every window in their premises carrying the emblem of the Bed Cross. A start is being made shortly to induce the owner of every motor-car to have affixed to-the- windscreen the Bed Cross flag, arid it is anticipated that there will 'be a ready response to the idea. Every window with a Bed Cross flag bears silent testimony to the appreciation of the good work done by the Red Cross in succouring our sick and wounded.

"Anxious Relative" writes to the Dunedin "Star":—When.; the Fortieth Beinforcement left the Dominion "it was Btated that there were Wer 1200 men on board: that the' usual 'fittings' had been removed and replaced mocks in order to . provide, enough sleeping accommodation; and that there 'was practicably .no room on board* apart from a little deck .space, for anything in the • nature of- social functions. The epidemic of influenza would,doubtless be much more difficult to combat. under .the above circumstances. It is. too .-late.-, to .-remedy matters as-, regards the.;4oth,/.but.;l,,trust the Minister for Defence ■ will see that future transports have .sufficient ..air, space per capita. ....'•- ...

The much-discussed question of the Thorndon reclamation was -once again introduced . by the chairman of the Harbour Board (Mr C. K Daniell) at last night's meeting. He stated that Mr Hiley (General Manager of Railways) had advised him that the intricate plans for the new railway' station and large reclamation a scheme" were now nearly completed/-' He incited Mr Daniell aid the- Mayor- to- meet • him about the end of'the month" arid 'discufes the whole scheme. Mr Daniell considered that when the matter came" to be considered they should also take into account the position of the Te Aro railway station and"j£ho7',council's require-;' ments in the. vicinity'of , the destructor. The attitude of the board throughout the lengthy negotiations had been quite definite, so there should be no difficulty with regard to the area to he reclaimed. • . _ ;' .'. .

The litigation ; which was occasioned by what is known as"tne Monowai' explosion has been concluded. It wiU be remembered that some sulphurio acid which formed part of the cargo of the Monowai exploded while the vessel was being discharged „ ; at Auckland, with the result that several cargoworkers were seriously injured. Action was taken against the company who shipped the acid at Melbourne, and resulted in favour of the men; An appeal was made to a higher tribunal, and the men were- I 'again successful.' The defendant company then ' gave notice that they proposed sending -the case on to the English Appe'al Court.' Yesterday Mr P. J. CPEegari, who acted as counsel for the injured men both in New Zealand and Australia, received a cable , L message, stating that the company had abandoned the appeal and was paying the costs.

The Wellington grocers' dispute (country district) probably will reach finality before the Arbitration Court at Palmerston North to-day. Mr McKeen, secretary to the union, stated yesterday that this will be the first timo that the Wellington industrial district will be -under the operation of an award. The employees throughout the district can expect to benefit by the award, and its advent will be awaited with enthusiasm. The two points which will come before the court to-day are wages and notification with preference. In regard to the first point, the employers agree to. grant the Wellington rate of wages for male, employees, provided the union gives a lower rate of wages for female employees. • The other point in regard to preference is a proTision for the employer notifying to the union the appointment of any employee. The new award will operate for the whole of the Wellington district outside of a radius of thirty miles around the city.

Tenders are invited . by the Public Works Department up. till October 4th for the construction of tho Khandallah Telephone Exchange. Tenders' will be received at chief post offices until October 12th for the conveyance of mails for periods of one, two, or three years from the beginning of the New Year.

Kirkoaldie and Stains. Ltd., are offering a special line of Hand-made "Glossy" Lace, made from the finest mercerised ootton yarn, in a wonderful range of pretty designs. The prices are 25 ner cent, under,, present yalup. See window, diaplayt—Ad,vt.