NEWS OF THE DAY

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10211, 22 February 1919, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY

"There was never a greater demand for British and colonial stamps than at the present timo,'' a London paper was informed in December. War stamps are specially sought after, and some of the keenest enthusiasts are the American , and Anznc men, who throng the stamp dealers' premises daily. A wave of postage stamp patriotism seems to hav© swept over them. There is no demand, however, for the stamps of our enemies, and some firms announce that even if there were they would not fulfil it.

The hearing of tho divorce suit, Philip D. England v. Daphne H. England and another, was continued in the Supreme Court yesterday before Mr Justice Edwards and a jury- There was also a counter petition. Mr J. K. Reed. K.C., of Auckland, and Mr H. F. 0 Leary appeared for the petitioner and Mr P. W* Jackson for the respondent and co-respondent (Lieut. R. A. fc>. Jtidd). Tho case was heard in camera. After an hour and a half's retirement the jury returned affirmative answers to the issues put to them on tho two petitions. A rule nisi was granted in each case without_ costs, apart from the amount paid in and security on the wife's account

The emergency relief committee of tho War Relief Committee meots_ daily to attend to claims demanding immediate attention, and applicants freciuentlv appear either at the office or that of a member, particulars of the claim and its previous history being telephoned to the latter, for his guidance. If required tho honorary visiting staff are requested per telephone or° telegram to call personally, upon the applicant, and disburse whatever financial assistance is urgently needed, reporting in what direction further action should bo taken. By this means the associa'tion can deal with a claim within less than half an hour of receipt of tho letter or message.

A local noet, Robin Blochairn, whoso verses "Sfngin' to the Weans" had a pood reception, both in the Old Country and Maoriland, has another book m tho publisher's hands. This is entitled "The Fireside Chime" (a phrase of Burns), and will consist oi.domestic and childhood poem„. "Robin Blochairn' is tho pen name of Mr Bobert Hogg, formerly on the staff of tho "Times," who has been a writer of verses in tho Scots dialect since hw early years! but only recently published any of his works in book form. He has another book of verses on war subjects coming out, entitled "Hell's.fleir and Other Poems." His books will he published by Mr Alexander Gardener, of Paisley.

During tho hearing of a case in the Ma"itsrate's Court yesterday, Inspector Marsack said the stealing or coming very prevalent ln Persons took the cars and went tor £y r des, and in the past tJiey baa not hee;i prosecuted, as mischief had not been afteged; hut it would be well if the court issued a warning in regard to the seriousness of the offence. Mr p V Frazor S.M., replied that when he was in Auckland he dealt with a number of .similar cases, m each or which mischief was proved. There was a. heavy penalty provided where guilt was established, and as far as he was concerned he would do his best to prevent tho offence from becoming rife in Wellington.

In their annual report, tho executive committee of the Wellington War Relief Association pays the followinghigh tribute to the officers of the Discharged Soldiers' Information Department: —"From close contact with the officers of this department we can vouch tor the excellent work it has performed. The most harmonious relationship exists between us, and now that it has become merged into tho State Department of Repatriation, this opportunity is taken of assuring its officers of our cordial goodwill and of our heartiest, co-operation with it in the onerous duties it will bo called upon to fulfil." Tho committee also desires to officially record the unvarying courtesy shown to its officers, to its correspondence and numerous telephone inquiries, by Mr G. C. Facho, Commissioner of Pensions, and his staff. In the main, states the report, representations to his board have proved successful, and evory ease receives careful consideration, s

The Applications Committee of the Wellington War Relief Assoication had, until November 30th, 1918, dealt with 8096 applications, and had authorised payment of £18,276. Of these claims 3039 were lodged during tho year under review, 1370 being new cases, and 1660 reconsiderations, renowals, etc., etc., and amongst them were applications from Canadian and Australian soldiers, and French and Italian Reservists, and their dependents; 3301 in 1917, and 1786 in 1916. Had it not boon for tho cessation, as at December 31st, 1917, of advances against pay, and requsets to supplement the mufti allowance, the number of applications last year would have been considerably increased. Grants supplementary to pay, to pensions, foi special purposes under exceptional circumstances, to soldiers proceeding to employment, for union fees, for board and lodgings, and under many other headings, are authorised by this committee, for it deals with the soldiers and their dependents from the date of enlistment, and even after resumption of civil employment, until, in fact, holp is no longer necessary.

The correspondence of the Wellington War Relief Association is of a very extensive character. Approximately (states tho annual report) applications for relief are, to the extent of fifty per oent. the responsibility of other societies. This means that each application, in detail, must be recorded, duplicated, and posted with a covering letter, or wired or telephoned through to the society concerned. If we act for them, payment must be recorded on finance cards and in ledger. Tho volume of correspondence' and financial adjustment thus entailed is very extensive. The association is fortunate in being able to personally approach Refonco Hendquarters, obviating a mass of correspondence, but nevertheless tho mail is still very heavy; for requests from Canada, Australia, and England reach us, requesting information regarding pay and allowances of our soldiers, with total assistance they may receive from other sources, scale and rate of pension awarded, etc., etc.,' whilst societies throughout the Dominion seek advico on all sorts of different subjects of importance to the soldier and his dependents. During tho year we despatchdo 5,068 outward letters,, telegrams, and cables; received 4,540, duplicated 231 letters, and issued 962 memoranda —a total of 10,801, exclusivo of circular letters amounting to nearly 1,000.

It is announced that record entries have been received for the parade or pedigree dogs, to bo held at Kelburii Park this afternoon. Canine aristocrats from various parts of the Dominion will be on exhibition. Judging commences at 2 o'clock sharp.

Members attending tie civil engi neers' conference in Auckland went to Nihotupu yesterday to inspect the waterworks and new dam mow -n course of construction. The engineer were the gueste of the city at lunch at Nihotupu (reports the Press Association).

The University Senate agreed to the recommendations of the Board or Studies to provide for the study or anthropology in the university by the establishment of a diploma ot anthropology, and that third-class honours be uo longer awarded.—Press Association message.

The National Bank of New Zealand gives formal warning to the public against negotiating bank notes recently reported to have been stolen. The numbers of the notes—which are dated January Ist, 1918, and have not been issued by the bank—are avertised in this issue.

Those who saw the cars of the Voluntary Motor Corps pass to and from in the streets yesterday are convinced of one thing—that the garlands of flowers with which thoy were decorated lent an air of welcome hitherto absent. The war-wearied men, after their monotonous voyage through many days, must have felt more than delighted on observing that not only bad cars been kindly placed at their disposal, but they had been beautified in the only way possible., in order to make the welcome home more spontaneous and sincere.

A meeting of the New Zealand Press [ Association is being held in Wellintgon to-day. Those present are: Messrs H. Brett (Auckland "Star"), G. l''enwick ("Otago Daily Times"), H. Horton ("New Zealand Herald"). L. P. Blundell ("Evening Post"), P. Selig (Christchurch "Press"), F. Piram (Feilding "Star"), and C. S. Smith I (Dunedin "Star"). In the absence through illness of the chairman (Hon. Gilbert Carson, M.L.C., of the WaugaiVii "Chronicle"), Mr Selig is presiding. The annual meeting ot tne association will bo held next week. ■ * The Acting-Prime Minister lias received a cahle messago from the High Commissioner, dated February 18th, stating, on the authority of the. Local Government Board, that the indications of the recrudescence of inHuenaz in Great Britain are not sufficient, so far, to justify alarming reports. The aggregate number of deaths in Mb great towns during the week ended February 18th was 604, and the total in the preceding "week was Wl, in the height of the autumn epidemic the total of deaths went to 7560 in a week.

Grocers' assistants in Wellington ars very anxious that the shops in. which they work should close at 5.30 o'clock each day instead of 6 o'clock, as at present. So far all efforts in this direction have been in vain, but the Grocers' Union sees a ray of hope. In the majority of the country districts 5.30 closing is now the rule, and som» of the leading grocers in Auckland City have voluntarily agreed to adopt the plan. Auckland is thus the first city in which the idea has been put into operation. The Wellington Union wants Wellington grocers to iollow suit, and to tiiis end is endeavouring to arrange a conference with employers next month." The question of closing grocers' shops on Luster Saturday is also receiving attention, and there is said to be every possibility that this will be agreed to.

On April 22nd, 1916, the Kaiser received a deputation ot Socialists and assured them that ho sympathised with their aims. "Germany is the leading Socialist State," he said to them. •'France' has had Socialist Ministers who did nothing to advance Socialistic legislation, while oiiicial Germany quietly nationalised the railways, passed all insurance schemes and factory laws, and interfered on behalf of the interests of the working olass. It has now\practically nationalised industry. Nothing remain,;; to be settled between the Government and the Socialists except Ithe question, of the possession of power, and if the Socialists had a majority in the Reichstag, or could create one with the aid of other parties, nothing could prevent them from getting a measure of administrative power." There is a note of prophecy in this utetnraco of thirty months agol