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Otago Daily Times, Issue 17328, 30 May 1918, Page 4

That the hopo held out that a largo number of our men recently reported missing might be prisoners ot war is not without some basis in fact is borne out in the case of Private Lawrence Frederick Rudd. Mr M. Rudd ,of Mount Eden, communicated with Sir James Mills, and received a reply stating that Private lludd was slightly wounded in the left arm, and was a prisoner of war in Germany. A Press Association message from Auckland states that a deputation representing the Fruitgrowers and Farmers' Union waited on Air G-uthrie to urge the settlement of soldiers upon small areas for fruitgrowing. The Minister replied sympathetically.

A Press Association message from Auckland states that the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association passed a resolution that men undergoing treatment should have blue uniforms, and that anyone supplying liquor to men so dressed should be rigorously dealt with; also that it should be suggested to tho Defence Department that it should formulate a scheme whereby returned men becoming addicted to liquor could be suitably placed under control and discipline, to give them a chance to find their feet and regain their lost will power. It is reported (says the New Zealand Times) that members of tho 'ihirty-eighth Keintorcements took part in a pcacutul demonstration at Trentham on Monday night, their object being to bring prominently under the notice of the authorities a grievance on tho subject of leave. Tlio men, it is said, have made two requests for final leave, in addition to tho Easter leave they have had already, but both were refused. On Monday night a number, estimated at 503, marched through the camp, headed by a scratch band, and, proceeding in a perfectly orderly fashion, drew up outside the headquarters office. The commandant being away, a deputation was sent to interview tho officer in charge, who urged tho men to wait until the next day. The procession was re-formed and marohed quietly to tho parade ground, where the position was explained to tho rest of the men. Some speeches are said to have been made, in the oourse of which indications were given of what might hapne:i should tho request not bo acceded to. Tho men claim that, as they are more or loss "marking time'' in their training, they may as well be given a few davs' leave.

Tho New Zealand Times states that drastic action has been taken by the Wellington boft Goods limployees' Union in connection with the refusal of the Arbitration Court to grant an award in the Auakland soft goods employees' disputo At a meeting of tho'executive the judgment was placed before members, who expressed the opinion that the decision liad violated all the principles embodied in tho Arbitration Act. It was decided to write to tho Minister of Laibour and the Minister of Justioe, pointing out tho facts in connection with tho case and demanding the removal of Mr Justice Stringer from his position as President of the Arbitration Court. The judgment is to bo placed m the hands of all other Labour orgauwtions in the country, with a vjow to nm«ruu; their 00-opora^jfln.

In view of tho authority which the United Federation of Labour arrogates to itself to .sjH'd-k on behalf of organised labour through out tho dominion, it is interesting to note that, according to the twenty-sixth annual report of tho Department of .Labour (issued in 1917), tho total number of industrial unions of workers then was 378. with a inemboiship of 71,338. At tho annual conference of Mew Zealand trade -unions and tho United Federation ot Labour, held in 1917, the fieeretary (Mr Hiram Hunter) stated that there were BO unions, affiliated with the federation, representing 16,000 workers. The Lhjiuxiui Presbyterian .Sabbath School Association held its monthly meeting on iUesduy evening. 'the president (Mr iVI. W. .Johnson) occupied the eniur, and there was a lair attendance, several visitors trom the country being present. 'L'ho subject of

"Praise in Uio Sunday School" was discussed, the chairman leading with a paper on tho subject. 'llie views of members wero freely given, and the consensus ot opinion was that special attention to the service of praiso was of the utmost importance in procuring that atmosphere which was so necessary in tho Sunday school. Singing also played an important part in the scholar's education by appealing to his emotions. It also had a marked etfeet on tho discipline of a school, and ono of the speakers proved that with wise handling during the service of praiso a largo school could be kept in perfect order. It was thought necessary in the interests of all concerned that wherever possible the singing in a Sunday School should bo in the hands of a leader specially set apart for the work. It would be his or her duty to lead the singing either directly or through a choir composed of specially-selected scholars. A Suggestion was mado that tho violin and the flute might with profit be introduced under suitable guidance and control. Altogether, the evening proved most instructive and enjoyable. One of tho cases beiore the Military Servico Board at Gore yesterday was tnat ot a country baker and coniuctionur carrying on lousiness with his wife at Waikaja. The nearest other bakery was at iliversdale, 15 miles away. 'the suggestion of Captain Free (military representative) that suen a business couid easily bo dispensed with, drew something in the nature of a protest from Mr A. D. Bell. As the country representative on the board, he said he had groat sympathy with these small oountry businesses, such as saddleries, bakeries, and blacksmiths' shops, and he knew the trouble and inconvenience it caused when they were closed down. He had a special interest in these local businesses which took carts out and catered for long distances round. ; Captain Free said he had sympathy with these businesses too, but his recollection went back to the time when baker' 6 bread in country districts was absolutely unknown. As a small boy he never tasted it unless when on a visit to town. Mr Bell: And then you wero very glad when the baiker did start!—(Laughter.) Captain Free: We wero not at war then. The board decided to gTant conditional exemption in the case under consideration.

At a meeting of the Presbyterian Sal> bath School Association on 'luesday night regret was expressed during a discussion on "Praise in the Sunday School" that large choirs of children were not being trained in the city. The feeling seemed to be that there was at present a splendid opportunity for the right man to organise a combined choir of children's voices, with a view to giving a children's choral festival for some patriotic object.

The Southland Hospital Board lias decided to try to arrango with tho Southland A. and P. Association to take over tne dining-room and grand staud at the show ground and convert them into a hospital ward to relieve tho congestion in the present hospital. Tho board will also shortly be moving cases out to Lome Farm, where accommodation was arranged for last November. The consumption sanatorium at Jvew is now practically ready for occupation. At a special meeting on ; Tuesday evening the board decided to initiate a comprehensive scheme, and it is about to ask for Ministerial sanction for the purchase of an additional hlock of land at Kew. This is to bo used to establish the nucleus of a new hospital for Southland, as there is no room available for extension on the present site. The board has instructed its architect to draw up a scheme of buildings for submission to a subsequent tweeting. The Queenstown Red Cross Fete Committee has dccided to endow a cot in the Red Cross Military Hospital at Montecillo. Our London correspondent writes that at a meeting of the Hull Chamber of Commerce and Shipping a letter was read from a New Zealand dairyman stating that no New Zealand producer knew the name of a single importer at the port of Hull. To this tho director of a local seed-crushing firm rejoined that tho key to the whole position was that the London people made advances, or, rather, London bankers did. The matter has been referred to a subcommittee.

The Wolverhampton Board of Guardians has completed all formalities for receiving from the Publio Trustee in New Zealand a sum of money duo under the will # of a relative of an inmate of the Wolverhampton Asylum. Having satisfied himself as to the validity of the claim, the Public Trustee has prepared an agreement including provision for an indemnity, which has been sealed by the board, and the money will be applied to the maintenance of the inmate. Our London correspondent states that the Live Stock Journal considers a certain amount of Shorthorn propaganda is required in New Zealand. " There is a distinct revival in Shorthorn breeding in New Zealand; but the two islands cannot agree as type—more's the pity. Putting the islanders straight should bo a nice little tasis; for Messrs Powell and Tilley." James William Miles, a marine fireman, was brought before Messrs N. Dodds and A. Cahle, J.P.'s, at Port Chalmers on Tuesday, on two charges of theft. On a charge of stealing billiard balls and an overcoat from a billiard saloon he was fined £4, in default 14 days' imprisonment, and for tho theft of two razors from a boarding-house 20s or seven days' imprisonment.

A Press Association message from Wellington states that at a send-off to Main Body men returned on duty furlough, a resolution was passed deprecating the calling of such men back to service after only threo weeks' lcavo in New Zealand. It was contended that they should be given at least three months in New Zealand to recuperate after nearly four years of service. The resolution was intended to apply to members of the Main Body and reinforcements up to the Fifth.

Dr Valintine (director of military hospitals), accompanied by his secretary, Mr A. C. Porrin, returned to Dunedin from Irivercargi.ll last night. Dr Valintine, who journeyed to Invercargill on Monday, met tho Southland Hospital Board, and considered with it the treatment of returned sick and wounded soldiers. He also held a conference with representatives of the various patriotic associations in Southland with regard to the establishment of a convalescent home. 110 met members of tho Riverton Hospital Board on Tuesday night. Dr Valintine will meet the Dunedin Hospital authorities hero to-morrow afternoon, and will proceed north on Saturday morning.

Our London correspondent states that tho Guardian, a leading English Church newspaper, devotes a leading article to tho caso of a New Zealand officer who recently answered in Pearson's Magazine tho question " What Comes After This LifeHo says that, " brought up in the narrowest circle of mid-Victorian thought, ho had arrived at a feeling of boredom at the thought of an eternity of monotonous worship of an Unapproachable but in face of " the marvellous unselfishness in everything" displayed by the men around him on tho Anznc Beach, this attitude of mind foil away, and he fixed his faith in " an actually present spirit of Divinity on Anzac Beach."

Major-general Sir Alfred Robin, commanding the New Zealand Military Forces, wroto to tho City Council hist night that it had been decided to allot tho following war trophies to tho City of Dunedin: — 3.08 in field gun, field gun carriage, casing of barrel cover, a machine gun, and one 3in trench mortar. These trophies wero captured by the 4th (Otago) Regiment and the 4th Battalion Rifle Brigade, whose headquarters were at Dunedin. The Mayor remarked that when tho trophies arrived the council would be able to allocate a suitable okca for thorn.

At last night's meeting of the City Council the Mayor (Mr J. J. f'lurk) welcomed ( V (Jrcen buck to a seat nt, tile council table.' Cr Green, he said, had in the past dons good work for the citizens, und possessed the friendship of the gentlemen associated with liini in tho council. O* Green thanked the Mayor and councillors for their expressions of goodwill. The council agreed to appoint Or Green as a member of the Tramways, 'Water, and General Committees. 'lhe Otiigo Art Society's udiibition of paintings mid art-crafts was visiusd by large ■lumbers of interested visitors yesterday und in the evening. The collection is a very largo one, and the greater number of tho pictures aro of New Zealand landscapes, seascapes, and country life. One notices, however, tho absence of any attempt to put on canvas tho New Zealand bush and its feathered inhabitants. J'he following sales were made yesterday:—"An Algerian Archway ' and " Milking Time," K. H. Smith; "Regent Arch, Edinburgh," A. F. Nicoll; " Mount Cook" and " Mount Sefton, C. 11. Ilowarth; "Otugo Harbour near Burkes," "0. 11./' "The Last Glimpse, " Diamond Lake," " Ocoan Beach from Lawyer's Head," "After Glo ," and " Kinloch, Lake Wakatipu," G. W. Carrington; "Tho Oreti River," F. Brooksmith; "The Nuggets and a Bit of Balch.itha," " Rocks on Nugget Beach," \Tm. Smaill. The exhibition will bo onen till Saturday night. At tho monthly meeting of the Clutha branch of the Farmers' Union, held on Saturday, Mr J. Crawford Anderson (Stirling) moved, in accordance with, notice:—"That a thorough investigation bo made by an impartial authority into the cause of resignations of so many of the permanent hands of the railway staff—2soo exclusive of casuals having resigned in a short time prior to October last; and that staffing the railways with raw or partially trained men was not conducive to 6afoty or efficiency, and is viewed by the general public with considerable alarm and concern." Mr Anderson, in support of his motion, made a lengthy speech dealing with the " pin-pricking" methods of the railway "bosses" and the general alleged mismanagement of tho service. He said the railway servico at the present time was a seething mass of discontent, brought about chiefly by the policy of espionage and irritation that had crept into the department the last few years. The Minister of Railways was showing a dourness and obstinacy in regard to amendments ajid improvements in railway traffic and management that no one oould understand. Mr P. A. Watt (Warepa) said he disagreed with Mr Anderson's statements. There was a great amount of similar agitation in every Government department, and a great many of the men employed were disloyal to the heads of departments. Why could not the men themselves demand an inquiry. After further lengthy discussion members decided not to support the motion in its present form. If, however, an amended resolution were put before members at next meeting support might be given. The auxiliary schooner Fairburn had a narrow escape from foundering at midnight on Friday when on her way from Whangarei to 'Auckland. The pumps when tried at 11 p.m. showed very little water, but an hour later it was discovered tlmt there was 3ft of water in the hold. Investigation showed that the water had found its way through the stern tube, owing to the propeller shaft becoming uncoupled and slipping aft, this not being observed before owing to tho fact that the vessel was then under sail. To make matters worse water found its way to the lime cargo, which began to burn. It became so hot below that the crew could not stay in the cabin until some of tho hatches had been removed to allow tho heated vapour to escapc. The stern tube was plugged up, and the vessel was pumped out. Eventually tho vessel reached Port Fairburn. It had on board 135 tons of oement and 15 tons of lime, valued at £1000, and it is thought that nearly half the cargo is ruined. There is no 'nsurance on the cargo, but tho vessel is partly covered for £1000.

The Government's decision to apply compulsion to the Waikato Maoris resulted in a native named Taiwhai appearing before Mr E. Rawson, S.M., at Te Awamutu on a charge of making disloyal utterances. This is the first case of the kind applying to natives under the War Regulations. ITie police 6aid the majority of the members of the Waikato tribe are hostile to conscription, and only those located by the police had been registered. Accused was one of a party at Ivihikihi. Recently, when it was suggested what a fine soldier he would make, he retorted, the evidence stated, that if he received £1000 he would not fight, and expressed a desire for a German victory and the German occupation of New Zealand. Cautioned by the police, ho twico repeated his words. Accused was convicted and sentenced to one month's imprisonment, with hard labour, but a warning was issued that leniency would not bo shown in future. At Thursday's meeting of tho committee of the Southland League, the following letter from the Hon. W. H. Herries (Minister of Railways) regarding the proposal to reinstate the through express between Christchurch and Invercargill was reoeived: — " In reply to your representations (the letter is addressed to the Minister of Education) with respect to the running of a through express service, Invercargill-Lyt-telton and Lyttelton-Invercargill, on three days in tho week, I wish to state that the situation has not changed since I wrote to you on February 18. In my letter of that date, while fully recognising the inconvenience caused the residents of Invercargill desirous of travelling to the North Island, I explained tho difficulties that beset tho granting of the desired service. At the present time I regret that I can give you no other answer than what I gave to a deputation which waited on me in Invercargill on the Eth ultimo. The answer was that the desired alteration couid not be considered till I knew the position I would bo in with regard to further demands for the release of men for tho front in consequence of Mr Lloyd George's appeal, and also till I could be assured of an adequate monthly supply of coal sufficient to run the present curtailed services. I may say that tho coal position is even more acute now than it was at the time of my visit to Invercargill, and that tho possibility of still further reductions in train services, owing to shortage of eoal and to the necessity of releasing moro men for the front, is greater now than it waa then."

The thirteenth <mnual meeting of the Otago Fartßcre' Union Mutual Fire Insurance Association, and the eighteenth annual conforenco of tlio New Zealand Farmers' Union (Otago Provincial Council), will bfe held to-day. Wo have to acknowledge rcceipt of Stone's ABC Guide for June. An illustrated lccture, entitled " Canada and the Canadians," will be delivered by Mr F. C. Every in tire Y.M.C.A. Assembly Hall on Satu-day. Mr Every, who has spent many years in Canada, has a ~nagni.ficent eollcction of views. Stuart WiLson for splendid range secondhand motor cycles.—Advt. Houses are becoming soarce in Dunodin. but Tamblyn, M'Kenzie, and Win ton, 42 Princes street, can show you what you want. Call and see them.—Advt. Men's Ceylon shirts, 10s 6d quality for 5s lid (size 16i only), on sale to-day at Mollisons May Bargain Fair.—Advt. Ladies, lighten the labour in your homes by using a "Hotpoint" Electric Radiant Grill for all light cooking. Users state. "As indispensable as an electric iron, and so inexpensive." Call and inspect.—Turnbull and Jones (Ltd.), electrical engineers. Advt. Watson's No. 10 is a little dearer than most whiskies, but is worth the monev — Advt. For children's hacking cough at Wood's Groat Peppermint Cure. 1« m 2s 6d. —Advt. °°- A. E. J. Blakeley, dentist. Bank of Australasia, corner of Bond and Rattrav strrof. (next Telegraph Office). Telephone 1859 — Advt. The run is on "No Rubbing" Help and "Golden Rule" Sof P ._wSl Broe. and Co. will supply you.-Advt Eyestrain!—Consult Mr Peter Ci n,„LD.8.0.A.. F. 1.0. (London), consulting and cculmts optician. Peter Dick. jeweller, etc 490 Moray place, Dunedin.— Advt