THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1924. THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19351, 11 December 1924, Page 8

THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1924. THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT.

No untowa'rd incidents interfered with the opening of the Imperial Parliament this week. Rumours of Egyptian Nationalist plottings in London fortunately remained rumours, so far as the public knowledge is concerned. The Speech from the Throne contains no surprises. It follows very much the lines that might have been expected. A definite announcement is now made of the intention of the Government to proceed with the establishment of a naval base at Singapore. The Government’s proposals in this connection had been, however, freely foreshadowed, and it Would seem that fresh encouragement was given to them from the conclusions of the Imperial Defence Committee within the last few days. . That the Government would reverse the policy of its predecessors in another direction — namely, in declining to recommend the ratification of the Anglo-Russian treaties, was the subject of an earlier announcement, and the reasons governing it were traversed in a Note to the representative of the Soviet in London. The confirmation of the decision in the King’s Speech is accompanied by the statement that “normal intercourse between the two countries would be possible by the strict fulfilment of the conditions of friendly intercourse which have repeatedly been submitted to the Soviet Government.” As long as the Soviet makes no effort to put an end to anti-British propaganda, or to dissociate itself from, or repudiate, the activities of the Third International, the conditions of friendly international intercourse must perforce remain unsatisfied. The great mass of the British people, as the members of the. late Socialist Government doubtless now realise, liave no confidence in the professions of the Moscow politicians. Nor have they any faith in the kind of agreement with them to which Mr Ramsay MacDonald, under pressure from extremists of his own party, was prompted to subscribe. The Government’s guiding principle in Empire politics will be the closest co-operation with the Governments of the overseas dominions and India. Empire settlement and mutual trade proposals granting further preference to Empire products, are mentioned in this connection, and in this respect the policy of the Government is in keeping with the lines oi the general policy of the Conservative Party. The theme is one upon which the Secretary of State for the Colonies has been enlarging, and already he has given notice of the introduction of legislation that will enable effect to be given to the recommendations of the last Economic Conference. Protective proposals, such as those upon which Mr Baldwin wrecked the prospects of his Government a year ago, have been dropped, and, while there are in the Conservative Party die-hard protectionists who will be dissatisfied with the position, Mr

Baldwin will no doubt be quite prepared to await very clear evidence that public opinion is disposed to reconsider its judgment on this question before he again dabbles in general tariff proposals. It is stated in the King’s Speech that the Peace Protocol is under the consideration of the Imperial? and dominion Governments. It remains to be seen what the precise issue will be of the close scrutiny to which it is deemed necessary to subject certain clauses of the Protocol, relating to aggression and questions of domestic jurisdiction, in the interests of the British Commonwealth. The brief forecast of the domestic legislative proposals of the Conservative Government introduces, as was to be anticipated, such matters as the safeguarding of industries, unemployment, and housing. It has been the policy of the Conservative Party to hold itself free to safeguard by special measures any efficient industry which is subjected to unfair foreign competition as, a result of systematic dumping, depreciated currencies, dr other postwar conditions. It is the conviction of the Government that the housing problem can be solved only by a policy which will encourage by all possible means the initiative and participation of private enterprise. The housing proposals of the Labour Government were most strongly criticised on the score of the burden which they would have placed upon the local and the national finances. As for unemployment, the only real remedy, Mr Baldwin has affirmed, is “the re-establishment and maintenance of our trade at home and overseas.”

The Otago University has received a munificent gift. The sura of eight thousand pounds has been contributed by an individual donor towards the permanent endowment of . the chair of Surgery. The announcement has been reported in a terse matter-of-fact -way, in deference to a personal desire that special publicity should not be given to the incident. We shall not be ignoring this consideration, or trespassing on the claims of honourable privacy, if we pointedly note the fact that the chair of Surgery will henceforth bo known as the Ralph Barnett chair, and that*the name will signalise a pathetic tribute of paternal affection. Ralph Barnett, in the prime of, youthful manhood, gave his life - for his coufftry. His father, who himself served in the Great War, has for more than 50 years been one of the most distinguished surgeons in New Zealand, and has devoted a great deal of time to ( the honorary performance of hospital duties. Without trenching upon that private province to which allusion has already been made, we do certainly f eel that the very liberal gift ,of eight thousand pounds, in aid of a worthy scientific and humanitarian object, should not be allowed to pass without definite notice. It may be hoped that it will serve as a precedent, a signal example to those who have the will and the power to help the great cause of curative enterprise.

Some interesting disclosures were made m the annual report of the Federal Public Service Board relating to the health of public servants in Australia and the cost to the country of their physical-deficiencies. It was shown that 63 per cent, of the service was absent for varying periods during one year, excluding absences of single days up to three days. Of a total staff of 25,375 those who absented themselves owing to illness numbered 16,029. The number of- working days that were lost was 218,317, and the amount paid in salary to employees whilst absent was £132,307. It - is stated that, after allowance was made for three weeks’ recreation leave and for 12 public holidays, on an average Commonwealth public servants worked last year only 46 weeks In New South Wales an effort has been made to reduce the sick leave among female telephonists. It was arranged that a departmental medical officer should visit every absent employee. The effect of this was remarkable. In addition, medical certificates supplied by private practitioners were checked, and it was found possible to reduce the sick leave recommended by 1208 days in the year. “It is nob unreasonable,” the board observes, “to expect that medical men shall consider the matter of their moral responsibility to the Commonwealth Government and exercise some discretion as to the period of absence which may probably be necessary.” The board pronounces strongly in favour of the appointment of permanent medical officers in all cities where the number of employees is sufficient to warrant such a course. Incidentally it quotes figures relating to the absence of female employees, and arrives at the following conclusion:

The arguments put forward from time to time by the advocates of equal pay for women with that granted men for similar work are clearly invalidated by the fact that female officers as a class do not, because of constitutional and physical reasons, perform equal work to that ordinarily done by men. In all occupations .in which women are employed the absences on account of sickness are usua’ly heavy.

The peace negotiations between the Spaniards and the Biffs in Morocco are said to have been abandoned owing to the magnitude of the demands made by the Riffs, who are credited with holding some 1200 Spanish prisoners. The captures made by the tribesmen have been no unimportant factor in strengthening their powers of resistance. The heavy defeats inflicted by them on the Spanish forces over two years ago brought them large quantities of arms, ammunition, and stores. Thus ttyey obtained better weapons than they had ever possessed before, and the ransom of their captives furnished them with money to keep up the supplies. Mr Lloyd George, who was a visitor to Spanish Morocco early in 1923, has written.an article in the Daily Chronicle, in which he summarises the situation in his characteristic way. While believing that if Spain were prepared to face the necessary expenditure of life and treasure she could undoubtedly win a complete victory in Morocco, he considers it to be more than doubtful whether the result would be worth the cost, especially as it must be questionable whether any victory achieved in that wild country could be permanent. He points to the loss of Cuba by Spain as an unmixed blessing to the Spanish people, as the taxes extracted to maintain the necessary forces to suppress Cuban rebellions were impoverishing the land. He writes further: —

If a foolish military pride impels Spain to attempt the subjection ot the Atlas Mountain to her will, her Cuban experiences will be repeated. Money and men will pour across the seas and get lost in the African fastnesses, while the urgent needs of the homeland will be neglected. I doubt whether any dictatorshin or dynasty could long survive under such conditions. The other alternative is to hold and fortify the coast, with enough hinterland to guarantee elbow-room and security. That is all she needs for trade, nmtsetion. oz honour.

General Prime de Rivera’s present plans point to his adoption of a much modified objective in Morocco.

The “wonders of wireless” have not ceased to excite wonderment, for either in fact or in promise they are in steady supply. Photo radiograms transmitted between London and New York have furnished the latest novelty, accompanied by the usual prediction of great developments. There is going to bo instantaneous trans-Atlantic transportation of so many things that there is no telling what will next be “in the air.” Some of the predictions respecting the possibilities of control by radio must be rather disturbing to people who have a preference for the old order. An Italian engineer, Signor Fiamma, the inventor of a device for directing and steering ships and aeroplanes at a distance by means of radio-magnetic waves, makes very bold claims respecting its potentialities. The time is to come, it seems, thanks to his apparatus, when there will be thousands of aeroplanes, airships, and boats racing about the air or on the water in all parts of the world without any human being on board, and all going safely and surely to their destination, and, with the same facility, returning to their point of departure. The flight of these craft will be directed by somebody in an office somewhere. The inventor draws a picture of cross-Ohannel transport by ships entirely covered in, andl proof against any storm, carrying goods or mails to Boulogne, or Ostend, and returning at schedule time without any crew onboard or risk to lives. Is this a threat against the fine old art of navigation? Signor Fiamma claims, moreover, that his apparatus will enable a person sitting in an office in any part of the world to write at hi* desk as on an ordinary typewriter a message that would be instantly received agid typed in other offices thousands of miles away.

A fine performance was registered by the Otago Harbour Board officials yesterday afternoon, when the oversea steamer Port Hunter, of 8437 tons gross, was piloted safely through the Victoria Channel on a fast ebbing tide, and berthed at the Victoria wharf. The feat was accomplished without any difficulty, which speaks well for the skill of the board’s pilot staff. The Port Hunter made a fast passage from Wellington direct. She left her berth at the northern port at 1 pm. on Tuesday, and steamed the 327 miles from Pencarrow Head to the Otago Harbour entrance in exactly 25 hours. The average speed was 13 knots. The vessel was boarded by: tha> pilot outside the Heads shortly 'Before o p.m. The Port Hunter left London on October 19 laden with general cargo, explosives, and live stock. She discharged the explosives at the Auckland powder anchorages, and then proceeded to Wellington to land a large portion of her general freight. Her cargo for Dunedin amounts to 2500 tons. Ine average speed registered on the voyage from London to Auckland was 12.1 knots.

What may be termed a plucky and heroic action was witnessed at the Otautau Swimming Club’s pool one day last week (writes the correspondent of the Southland Times). Mr M'Bride, of Invercargill, got out of his depth, and was in difficulties, when Miss Molly Arthur came to the rescue and succeeded in getting him to the bank. Her bravery was rewarded with the gift of a handsome gold wristlet watch, together with a letter of appreciation from Mr M‘Bride, for so pluckily coming to his rescue.

With a view to effecting economy it is now required (reports our Wellington correspondent) that the purchase of stores tor Government departments shall be effected through the agency of the Stores Control Board, which calls tenders for supplies, and negotiates as to prices. Some idea of the « volume of business which is transacted by the board is given by a return presented to the chairman of the board (the Hon. J. G. Coates), showing that during the quarter ended September 50 last the value of store? purchased totalled £1,136,396. Amongst some of the larger items are the following Railways, £497,252; Post and Telegraph Department, £256,330; Public Works Department, £189,019; Mental Hospitals, £40,947; Naval, £18,235; Defence, £20,538; Health Department, £16,056; Government Printer, £14,344; Lands and Survey, £12,031; and Industries and Commerce De-* partment, £11,336.

Heavy consignments of assorted cargoes reached Dunedin yesterday by the steamers Port Hunter (from London), Navua (from Auckland), and the Holmdafe (from Wellington). The last-named vessel brought an exceptionally large cargo, her holds being practically filled to the combings. Several gangs of waterside workers were engaged throughout the day and until a late hour last night in discharging and loading operations on this' fast coastal packet. The Holmdale is carrying an equally large consignment, mostly Dunedin products, for Wellington and Wanganui, and an effort was made to complete operations in order to despatch the vessel at midnight last night for Oamaru, Timaru, and Lyttelton, at which ports she will lift additional cargo, but this was not possible, and she will not get away until this evening.

To commemorate the work done by the Hon* G. M. Thomson for the Technical School, the director (Mr A. Marshall) at the meeting of the Board of Managers yesterday asked it to accept a framed portrait of Mr Thomson, lie stated that the full-time teachers of the school had subscribed the amount, and the portrait was presented on the understanding that it would be hung in a prominent position. The chairman (Mr T. Scott), m accepting the, portrait, said he did so with the greatest of pleasure. It wohld certainly be placed in a prominent position, and would, in years to come, be looked upon as the portrait of one of the founders of technical education in New Zealand. Prices for sheep showed a distinct advance at the Burnside sales yesterday. The demand was Very keen, with the result that values improved from Is to 2s per head.. The entry totalled 15,003 head, all being shorn with *the exception of two or three small pens. The quality was fair to good, but a. good many indifferent ewes were offered. Prices for prime light wethers were on a basis of per lb. Forty lambs were offered, which was a smaller entry than the previous week. The number was not sufficient to meet butchers’ requirements. The smallness of the yarding was accounted for by the fact that the export works have not commenced operations, and freezing buyers are securing supplies outside at higher prices than are being obtained at Burnside. The quality of yesterday’s entry was very fair, and the demand was very keen at im* proved values. The prices obtained were equal to Is 3d per lb. The yarding of fat cattle was considerably below the number offered at last week’s sale, only 244 being .penned. The quality was of a mixed description, a number of unfinished steers and plain cows being included, with a few choice lots. Country buyers were amongst the operators, and the sale was a fluctuating one. The demand at the opening was rather better than was the case last sale, but eased to the previous week’s values for medium weights, heavy weights being cheaper by 15s a head, while light primes showed no appreciable change. The prices obtained for extra choice beef were equal to 38s, and for prime heifers to 30s per 1001 b. The entry of store cattle totalled 2co head, consisting mostly of cows, with a few pens of medium weight steers. The latter were passed unsold. The demand was slack throughout the sale. There was a large yarding of pigs, particularly fats. The supply was far in excess of the demand, and most classes were cheaper to the extent of about Id per lb. The prices obtained for prime baconers were on a basis of from 6£d to 7d, and for prime porkers from 7d to 74d per lb. Advice received by the postal authorities states that New Zealand mails which were despatched from Wellington bv the Maunganui on November 11 for the tJnited Kingdom, via San Francisco, arrived in London on December 9.

Of the 52 relieving teachers in the Otago Education District, eight were on sick leave during the month, and four on ordinary leave.

Several head of pedigree stock and pigeons and fowls were brought out from London by the Commonwealth and Dominion Line steamer Port Hunter, which arrived at Dunedin yesterday afternoon by way of Auckland and Wellington. The stock now on board consists of two Clydesdale fillies and one mare, consigned to Mr J, Young, of Outram. The horses came from Scotland originally, and are in excellent condition, having stood the long sea voyage well. Three pedigree Sealyhan dogs, six pedigree pigeons, and three prize fowls {one cockerel and two hens) were landed at Wellington.

An amusing incident occurred at one of the harbour bays last week-end. A launch which had been immersed for some considerable time, and which had just completed an extensive overhaul, was relaunched in the presence of a large number of interested spectators. Among these was a leading Dunedin professional man, who expressed an opinion, and backed this up with a side bet, that the qualified engineer in attendance would not be able to get a burn out of the launch engine. His look of surprise was greatly enjoyed by the assemblage when the engine commenced running after the first turn of the wheel. The engineer had carried out his work of overhauling and repairing the engine so well that he had it running smoothly as the launch was going down the slipway into the water. Local supplies of fresh fruits were supplemented yesterday by the arrival of tho Navua from Auckland. Tho vessel brought 2280 cases of bananas ex the Torfua, from Fiji, also 40 cases of pineapples, 30 cases of lemons, and 10 boxes of cherries, shipped at northern ports. The Navua’s freight also included 400 tons of sugar from Auckland, 100 sacks of potatoes, and nine cases of cucumbers. A large consignment of cargo from Australia will reach Dunedin to-day by the Moeraki. Her freight includes 1004 sacks of onions, shipped at Melbourne. There has been a shortage of this product locally for some days, and tho Moerald’s shipment will be quickly absorbed. Other cargo by the Moeraki includes transhipments from several oversea vessels.

A fortnight ago the Artillery Band held a bag day in an endeavour to raise funds to send the band to the Auckland contest in February. The result did not prove as satisfactory as was anticipated, and tomorrow the band is launching another bag day. There are 5000 bags to be sold, and it is hoped that the public will generously respond to this final effort. Owing to the fact that the City Council has forbidden the use of lorries, all parcels will bo handed out at Burns Hall.

In his report submitted to the monthly meeting of the Otago Education Board, the attendance officer (Mr J. ih. Ryan) stated that for the month the general attendance, especially in the city and suburban schools, was much affected by an epidemic of measles. The south end schools seemed to be affected mostly. Caversham had approximately ,100 absentees, Forbury 80, Macandrew Road 50. St. Clair was now almost back to normal conditions. Of the north end schools, those mostly affected were North-East Valley and Albany Street. Several of tho other city schools were more or less affected. So tar as he was aware the country schools were not at present very much affected. A campaign is in progress over the territory of Hawaii to raise money for the improvement of the rest house, situated on the summit of Haleakala, on tho Island of Maui. Haleakala is the largest extinct volcano in tho world.

Representatives of local bodies in the Grey, Westland, and Inangahua districts met at Greymouth last night (reports a Press Association message) and decided unanimously to set up local committees to arrange for a joint West Coast at the New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition.

The annual report of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association states that in the Auckland Centre there are 10 affiliated clubs, in the Wellington Centre 28 clubs, on the West Coast (INorth Island) Centre 7 clubs, in the Canterbury Centre 11 clubs, and in the Otago Centre 14 clubs. At tho Wellington Education Board meeting (states a Press Association message) Mr White moved—“ That the granting of special favours (holidays) to city children is unfair and opposed to the best interests of the whole of tho children; that the action of the chairman and the secretary in conniv ing at the breaking of the board’s by-laws is deserving of censure.” The mover pointed out a discrepancy between the holidays granted to country and city schools’ children. Country children were given one holiday for tho local show, but not moie. In the city, however, a special holiday was granted during the month or November, when conditions were unsuitable for holidays. In seconding the first part of the motion Mr Loudon regretted that anything might be inferred from Mr White’s allusion to a holiday granted to city schools on the departure of Viscount Jellicoo. Mr R. A Wright considered the motion a reflection on the late Governor-General, who had a great affection for tho children, among whom he was exceedingly popular. Other members spoke in a similar strain, and the motion was lost, only Mr White voting for it.

The City of Honolulu will commence the construction soon of a great “Aloha tower to be built on the water front facing the sea. The tower will cost approximately 170,000 dollars, ana will De nnished in a design typical of Hawaii. The building of the tower is the result of a suggestion made by Honolulu residents to the effect that a symbol of Hawaii’s hospitality and friendliness to the world should be expressed in a public memorial.

A successful cooking demonstration was given yesterday afternoon at the premises of Messrs Laidlaw and Gray, Rattray street, before a large attendance of ladies. The demonstration, which was under the charge of Mrs Gillanders, was given on a class of oil-cooking stoves extensively used in seaside cribs and country residences. Various articles were cooked and sampled by those present, who expressed their satisfaction with the fare. It was demonstrated that these stoves are very useful in the summer season, as they are clean and economical, and obviate the necessity of using the kitchen range. Tlie demonstration will bo continued this afternoon and to-morrow afternoon.

A movement is at present afoot at Middlemarch for the purpose of inaugurating an electricity supply scheme for the town and surrounding districts, and a public meeting will be held in Middlemarch at an early date. The commencement of a, successful electricity supply scheme on modern lines would bring the district into line with other progressive towns in Otago Central.

Port Chalmers. —At a meeting’ in tho Mayor’s Hoorn last evening a committee was set up to arrange for a citizens’ presentation in Town Hall, 8 p.m., on Monday, 22nd inst, to Mr John M‘Laughlan. Mr R.. Young was appointed secretary.—Advt. Christmas Gifts. Household electric equipment should bo up-to-date for satisfaction’s sake. Call and see the newlyimported anplianccs at the Barth Electric Supplies, 61 Princes street.—Advt. A. B. J. Blakeley, dentist. Bank of Australasia, corner of Bond and P.attray streets (next Telegraph Office). Telephone 1859. Advt.

Christmas Jewellery. Compare our values. Choice selection diamond rings, watches, brooches, bracelets, pendants, and silverware.—Peter Dick, Jewellers, etc., 490 Moray place.—Advt.