THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1927. AFFORESTATION COMPANIES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20287, 21 December 1927, Page 8

THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1927. AFFORESTATION COMPANIES.

Tun charge was laid against the Government and the newspapers yesterday,- at the annual general mooting ot the Dunedin Stock Exchange, that neither would assist in the exposure ol some unspecified wrong-doing on the part of the companies which have been formed for the purpose of promoting afforestation in New Zealand. It is to be regretted that the charge was not made in more definite terms. One member of the Exchange boldly declared that the Government knows that

■•something in the nature of a swindle is being worked.” He omitted, however, to mention either the grounds on which ho based his statement respecting the Government’s knowledge or tho.-e on winch ho based the accusation against the afforestation companies Niu did the speech by Mr E. R. Smith, who stated the case against tiio companies, warrant any sweeping condemnation of those concerns. It i.-, not inconceivable that the expenditure on roadmaking and bridge-building, to which he referred, is necessary to the development of the areas that arc to be used for afforestation, and if it be the

case that there is a perfect army of people on the companies’ pay rolls that may itself be evidence of a commendable activity in pursuance of the objects for which the companies were formed. The whole allegation against the companies was loosely and vaguely expressed and, it will bo observed, made no distinction between the different classes of afforestation companies. There are more than u score of these companies in existence. Some of them are, more or less, private enterprises, about the operations of which not a great deal might be expected to be known. A few of the companies, on the other Hand, are operating m a largo way, and it may be noted that upon two of them favourable comment was made in Parliament during the recent session. If there are any of the companies that are victimising those who have entrusted money to them, it may be surmised that the wronged investors have their legal remedy. But so far they do not seem to have aired any grievances or to have afforded the newspapers the opportunity of learning that there was any cause for complaint. It is easy to accuse the press of lacking a sense of its duty to the public. As, however, a member of the Stock Exchange has thought fit to indict the newspapers on this account with reference to the afforestation companies, it is pertinent to inquire of the Stock Exchange, as a guardian of the interests of investors, whether it has ever expressly directed the attention of the press to any act of omission or commission on the part of the afforestation companies of which an exposure was desirable. Moreover, it may bo pointed out to the Stock Exchange that a vague allegation such as was made yesterday is distinctly unfair, and that unless it is held that all the companies are equally open to condemnation, the uaidiscriminating nature of the allegation made it doubly unjust.

THE APPOINTMENT OF GOVERNORS-GENERAL.

The appointment of Mi James M'Neill as Governor-General of the Irish Free State, and successor to Mr Timothy Healy in that office, involves a departure from the traditional practice in respect of the filling of such positions. Mr M’'Neill has received his appointment from the King solely on the recommendation of the Free State Government. The Imperial authorities, while admitting that the Free State is instituting a new order of procedure, and is thereby probably establishing a precedent for the other dominions as vacancies in tha office of GovernorGeneral occur, suggest that the change is more in form than in fact, because hitherto these appointments have not been made without the explicit concurrence of the dominions or States involved. This reply bears pertinently upon the suggestion that the appointment of a Governor-General is now to bo regarded as entirely a matter for the dominion Government concerned, Mr M’N’eill’s case being cited by way of illustration. For many years past it has been tiie practice of the British Government to consult the Government of the dominion interested before making an appointment of this character, and in the selection has been guided by its acceptability to the community concerned. It has been a system of consultation that has been followed, and in the experience of New Zealand it would be impossible to hold that this has not, on the whole, worked satisfactorily. There is room, on the other hand, for doubt whether, if the recommendations respecting the appointments to be made had come from the Government of this Dominion, upon its own initiative, we should have had equal cause for satisfaction in our succession of Governors and Governors-General. The example of the Irish Free State in breaking away from the traditional procedure is pro)ly not one which other parts of the Empire win nave much disposition to emulate. The precedent that is created in Mr M'Neill’s appointment represents a development that is likely to be attended with more satisfactory results in the case of a dominion which, like the Irish Free State, is contiguous to Great Britain, than in that of one which is many thousand miles distant from the heart of the Empire There was a time when a Governor was appointed solely on the advice of his Majesty’s Ministers in London and acted also as their representative. The Inter-Imperial Relations Committee, reporting to the Imperial Conference last year, recommended that, instead of the Governor-General of a dominion being the formal official channel, of communication between his Majesty’s Government in Great. Britain and the Government of the dominion, the recognised official channel in future should be between Government and Government direct. The committee observed: “In our opinion it is an essential consequence of the equality of status existing among the members of the British Commonwealth of Nations that the Governor-General of a dominion is the representative of the Grown . . .

and that ho is no representative or agent of his Majesty’s Government in Great Britain or of any department of that Government.” The appointment of Mr M'Neill certainly emphasises this declaration.

MR .AMERY’S DEPARTURE.

The Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs entered upon another stage of his Empire tour yesterday when be took his departure from Auckland on route for Vancouver. Into his stay in the Dominion, lasting a month, Mr Amery crowded a wealth of activity that fully bore out his reputation for energy and vigour. Ho found time to leaven the official aspects of his mission with some sight-seeing and even with some mountaineering, and altogether wo may rest assured that he carries away with him a very sound impression of the country itself and of its people. In his public utterances, at once instructive and encouraging, in our midst Mr Amery struck a strongly practical note, and was invariably tactful The results of t'te discussions between himself and the New Zealand Government on immigration, trade, and other questions of more or less Imperial import should bn of permanent value. Such a visit as that of the Secretary of State for

Dominion Affairs must be of benefit both to the Government which he represents and to the Government of this country. His tour of New Zealand should generally be of distinct Imperial value. As Mr Coates has observed, Mr Amery will return to the Old Country with a wider grasp of our problems and difficulties, and will be able to interpret our point of view, to the Government and to the people of Great Britain in a way that would be impossible if ho had not made this world tour. This statement involves no exaggeration of the advantages of personal observation and contact. Mr Amery has proved himself the possessor of the kind of temperament that is most valuable in an ambassador of Empire. It is conducive to confidence in the maintenance of the best Imperial relations to have had in our midst the representative of his Majesty’s Government who presides over the department in the conduct of which New Zealand is particularly interested. It would be advantageous to the Empire and helpful to its advancement along the lines of present-day policy, which aims at a closer measure of co-opera-tion and mutual support among the countries which compose the British Commonwealth of Nations, if it could be arranged that members of the Home Cabinet could make more frequent. visits to its widely-separated parts.

THE WOOL SALES,

The first of the season’s wool sales in this city, which was commenced on Monday afternoon, was not concluded until an hour when it was too late for a complete report to appear in yesterday’s issue. It is, fortunately, possible to express great satisfaction with the results of the sale. There was an unusually large catalogue, but not many lots were passed in, and this in itself furnishes an evidence that the prices that were offered were acceptable to the growers. As a matter of fact, the level of prices that was reached recently at the successful sales in northern centres was, except in respect of samples "of wool that is not as a rule greatly in demand in this market, well maintained. It may be conservatively estimated that the proceeds of the sale will amount to about £500,000, a distinctly substantial return for the growers that may be expected to be reflected in the general trade conditions since a benefit that is enjoyed by one section of the community is inevitably, even if indirectly, shared by other sections. The activity that' is ,being shown in the dairying industry, as illustrated in the' heavy shipments of butter and cheese that are being made, and the demand that exists for wool constitute between them a highly favourable augur;. it should be with a good deal of confidence in a restoration of prosperity that the people of the Dominion will enter upon the New Year.

At last night’s meeting of the Otago Rugby league a sum of money was voted to each of the local orphanages for their Christmas Cheer Fund.

There was renewed activity on the waterfront yesterday, when four steamers provided employment lor a largo number ot waterside workers. One oversea steamer is expected to-day, and at least two or three more are due before the end of the week. With the addition of three or four coastal vessels, which are expected tomorrow, the waterfront should be fairly busy for the remainder of the week. Tomorrow's arrivals will include the Rimutaka, from London, via Wellington. She has a large cargo to land, and as the holidays will intervene, the ship will be in port for,about seven days. The Dunedin waterside workers will work all vessels in port up to 5 p.m. on Saturday, when operations will cease until 8 a.m. on Wednesday next. At New Year the only holiday to be observed will be Monday. January 2, so that work on the waterfront will cease at 5 p.m. on Saturday, December 31, and will be resumed at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, January 3.

Under the will of the late Mrs Meek, of Ravensbourne, who was at one time a resident of Oamaru, the sum of £IOO is bequeathed to the Salvation Army and the sum of £250 to the Oamarji Hospital. The late Miss Grace Lilian Mitchell, of Dun edin, bequeathed half of her estate (the full value ■ of which is over £40,0001 “ 1o the benefit of such charitable organisations, institutions, or objects in Dunedin and surrounding Dunedin as her trustee (the Perpetual Trustees Estate and Agency Company) may think fit. The deceased lad v. by her will, expressed the wish to assist

"any organisation, institution, or object as shall have for one of its objects the assistance of persons adversely affected by the Great War of 1914-1918,” and empowered her trustee to create or endow an institution for that purpose to be known as the “ Lilian Mitchell Institute.”

Mr Justice Sim has granted probate in the estates of the undermentioned deceased persons:—Richard Lambert, late ot Oamaru, farmer (Mr H. J. Grater); James Finlay, late of Heriot, farmer (Mr J. A. Moyle); Thoma s Timblick. late of. Oamaru, poultry farmer (Mr A. G. Oreagh); Maiy Ferguson, late of Helensbrook, near Milton, married woman (Mr Rutherford); Patrick M’Grath, late of Oamaru, retired police sergeant (Mr I. L. Hjorring) ; Mary Ann Barry, late of Dunedin, married woman (Mr W. F. Forrester) ; Annie Sturrock Closs, late of Dunedin, widow (Mr J. N. Thompson) ; Anne Jane Isabella An derson, late of Dunedin, married woman (Mr P S. Anderson); Jane Thorann, late of Dunedin, married woman (Mr P. S. Anderson); Mary Day, late of Dunedin, spinster (Mr A. G. Neill) ; Mary Newlands. late of Anderson’s Bay, married woman (Mr W L. Moore) Isabella Gray Morton, late of Pounawea, spinster (Mr J. Wilkin son); and Man-ion Galloway, late of Dunedin. widow (Mr A. I. W. Wood). Letters of administration were granted in the estates of Edward Hedges, late of Oamaru, fellmonger (Mi A. J. Grave); Jacob Shacklcton, late of Maheno. wool classer (Mr A. G. Creagh); and Annie Gray lato of Hillend, widow (Mr Rutherford).

At the conclusion of yesterday's meeting of the Dunedin Fire Board, the Chairman (Mr J. Wilson), in extending the season's greetings to the members, said he hoped they would return to the next and subsequent meetings full of vigour for tho work to be accomplished next year. The Chairman also conveyed the board’s greetings to Superintendent A. G. Napier, his officers, and men. These greetings were reciprocated by tho superintendent. The Danncvirko Power Board yesterday (says a Press Association telegram) considered the amendment passed last session to section 119 of the Electric Power Board’s Act, 1925, whereby money payable to a board in respect of any electrical fittings or equipment installed by it on any land or n any building thereon shall not be a charge on such land or recoverable as a rate un loss prior to such installation consent in writing to such charge is given bv tho owner of such land whore it is not subject to mortgage or by the owner and mortgagee or mortgagees where the land is subject to mortgage or mortgagees It was contended that this restriction was >uch as to render almost impossible the satisfactory operation of this important part ot the board’s functions. It was decided to take the matter up with other beards ana the Power Boards’ Association with a view to stimulating united notion and modifying the existing law.

The gentlemen whose names follow wera yesterday admitted by Mr Justice Sim as solicitors of the Supremo Court of New Zealand:—Norman William Allan, Frank Colo Dawson, and William Murray xropkins, all of Dunedin.

In his annual report for the year ended June HO, last, Mr T. T. Hugo, Government Inspector of New Zealand fire , *.igado?, states that he inspected the Dunedin Brigade on January 17. The inspection drills and turn-out at the Central and outstations were performed smartly, and the various appliances were put to work in an efficient manner. The stations and equipment were in their usual .good order. The 20 horse-power motor runabout car had been purchased as additional to the brigade equipment. The section on which a new fire station was to be erected, for the protection of the Anderson’s Bay district, had also been purchased. The inspector considered that better provision for protection of the Mornington district was very necessary. The report was read at yesterday’s meeting oi the Fire Board, and noted without comment.

The Finance Committee of the University Council held a meeting yesterday afternoon, Mr L. Deans Ritchie presiding. Tho council gave the committee power to act in a number of urgent matters pertaining to the Home Science Department, and after giving consideration to these th* committee decided that Miss Todhunter be appointed assistant in the Chemistry Department ; that a part-time student assistant be appointed for one year from February 1, 1928, and that a student demonstrator be appointed for one year from February 1, 1923 It was also resolved that Miss Barker bo appointed junior office assistant at a salary of £75 as from January 1, 1928. As a result of a meeting of delegates from the councils of the university colleges of New Zealand, held in Wellington in October, a revised scale of fees to be paid by university students was agreed upon. It was considered by the delegates that the scale of fees paid by students all over New Zealand should be equal in amount. The suggested scale came before the Otago University Council at its meeting last week in the form of a report by Dr Inglis ana the Registrar (Mr H. Chapman). The council adopted the scale and resolved to bring it into force provided the other universities in New Zealand were agreeable to take similar action. Intimation has now come to hand that all the colleges are agreeable. Increased fees will therefore be charged in several branches of university work next year. Writing on November 16, our London correspondent says : —A valuable testimonial to the quality of New Zealand honey, and incidentally also to the value of the exhibitions of New Zealand produce which the High Commissioner is holding in Great Britain, was contained in a letter whch Sir James Parr received from the hon. secretary of the Cheshire Bee-keepers’ Association this week. The writer says: “ I should like to express my opinion of tho sample of honey which your representative at the Imperial Fruit Show (Manchester) gave me. I consider it very excellent honey, good flavour, and very nice even granulation. If New Zealand can maintain this quality she should enjoy a good sale for the commodity in the Home market.”

Having concluded his campaign in the interests of the Redcastle College funds, during which the very satisfactory sum ot £4050, exclusive of the Hart Scholarship (£1000), was realised, the Rev. Brother Moore will leave Dunedin this morning for the north. Ho will do so, he informs us, full of gratitude for the assistance (monetary and otherwise) which he received, not only from members of his own faith, but also from numerous non-Catholio friends in Dunedin and throughout the Dominion. He is uncertain as to his movements during the ensuing year, but ha states that wherever he may be he will not forget the kindness that was extended to him, and it will be his earnest wish that his new found friends may be blessed with prosperity. , On Monday Guides Brustard, Pope, and Williams, ,of the Mount Cook Hermitage, climbed Mount Cook in the fastest time that has yet been accomplished from the Hermitage, and this notwithstanding that on the downward journey they were compelled to make a detour which occupied two hours owing to the collapse of a snow bridge after they bad crossed it on the upward journey. In addition to this (says a Press Association telegram from Timaru) there had been a fresh fall of snow just before they set out, and a southerly wind and rain prevailed. On reaching the top of the mountain snow was falling, but this ceased briefly, enabling them to get an excellent view. Crampons were used in climbing all but the summit rocks, which were in excellent condition for climbing. Skis were used on the homeward journey as far as the Haast hut. The guides left the Hermitage at 10.30 a.m. on Sunday and arrived back at the Hermitage at 4.15 p.m. yesterday.

The Otago Boys’ High School party. that left for Mount Cook on Saturday morning returned to Dunedin by the second Express last night after experiencing fine weather and having made th e very best of the time at their disposal. Twenty senior boys and three masters made a two days’ trip to Ball Hutt and the Hookstetter icefall, and reached within a short distance of the Tasman Glacier. The junior party made shorter excursions to the Stocking Glacier and Sebastapol. On two nights concerts, which were much appreciated by the other guests, were given by the boys’ concert party. The bright sunny weather made Mount Cook stand out clear, as a memorable proof of Mr Amery’s claims for our wonderful alpine scenery. Charges for telephones were the subject of a letter received by the Christchurch City Council on Monday evening from the Postmaster-general (says a Press Association telegram). The Minister wrote in reply to the council’s letter relative to the reduction of telephone rates, stating that the question had received careful consideration. The Minister pointed out that telephone charges in New Zealand compared very favourably with those in other countries, and the margin of revenue over expenditure in the telephone service waa not sufficient to warrant any reduction at present.

Reference to the discontinuance of visits to New Zealand of American tourist parties is contained in the annual report ot the New Zealand Tourist League, which says: "Since last annual conference the executive has met regularly, and given close attention to many phases of tourist business. The opening of direct tourist services from America, that began so auspiciously with the visit of the Carinthia in December. 1925, was followed by a repeat visit from the same boat in 1926, and by a call from a steamer under charter by Messrs Thomas Cook and Son in February, 1927. Unfortunately the experiment has not been so successful as hoped, and temporarily, at least, the world-cruising boats from the United States will omit New Zealand from their places of call. The complaints made by the American companies of unfriendliness to visitors seem to have had more point in Australia, but it is possible that financial considerations may have had some influence in curtailing the tours.”

“ We arc now again approaching the time when a large number of boys will be leaving school and seeking to commence their life’s work. Many of them will be seeking apprenticeships to our skilled trades. These boys are an asset to the Dominion.” This remark was made by the employers’ representative (Mr 3. E. Wright) at a sitting of the Arbitration Court in Auckland last week. Mr Wright added: “Their education up to the present time has been freely provided at the tax-payers’ expense. Is this great asset to be allowed to stagnate or degenerate for lack of opportunity to build up on the ground-work already laid, or is the schoolboy to he given the opportunity to develop into a highly skilled tradesman? Th e argument that i s so often used by union officials in these cases, that there are unemployed journeymen in tho trade, is not singular to any trade or walk of life. At times there are. unfortunately, periods of slackness, but no man is worse off because he has learned to become a tradesman. The fact that he i s a tradesman does not debar him from taking up temporarily another occupation within his capacity, but it mo.-t certainly gives him an advantage over the unskilled worker, lie has a second string to his bow which the unskilled man has not.”

A parasite to combat the weevil which is damaging trees of the eucalypt species in Canterbury plantations has been successfully introduced by the Sclwyn Plantations Board. The process (says the Press) is a novel one. The parasite punctures the case containing the wepvll eggs and deposits its own therein. When noth reach insect stage the war begins The weevil referred to causes an immense amount of damage to the various eucalypts by partially or totally defoliaging the trees. The valued stringy bark is being specially singled out for attack in certain plantations. The parasites are known as “ Mymarids.” They wer e liberated in boxes containing about six tubes in which were four to six egg capsules of the weevil. The parasites, had oviposited in the.weevil eggs and on hatching the weevils were attacked by the emerging wasp-like parasites which multiplied greatly. Ihe Super intendent (Mr K. Robinscn) said that the parasites were comparatively new to the South Island. The weevil hatched from the capsules but the parasites punctured the capsule and laid their eggs. It had been proved that the parasite insect? emerged from the capsules. They were about double the size of a pin’s head. It was a little too early to forecast the com plele results, but it was certain -they would mutliply and attack the pest in good numbers. The parasites were imported from Australia.

There are considerably more houses let in Auckland than there have been for the past five or six years, especially in the outlying parts of the city (says the Auckland Star). In the Avondale dis trict, which was recently merged into the city a revaluation is now in progress, and the number of unoccupied dwellings is fairly noticeable. In the city business area it is reported that there are plenty of offices to let, and the supply has overtaken the demand, so that tenants are now , n the enviable position of being able to pick and choose, and practically dictate their terms. Owners of new buildings may not expect more than a 5 per cent, return on their capital outlay for the next two or three years, except in the case of Anzaf avenue, where values show a tendency to harden as a result of a probable early start with the building of Auckland’s new railway station, and there is a keen demand for premises.

The question whether a motor car is such a necessity as to give a wife implied authority to order repair work to be charged to her husband was considered by Mr J. S. Barton, S.M., at th e Magistrate’s Court at Wanganui last week in connection with a claim of £ls for repairs. The defendant had, since his wife took the family car to the garage, separated from her. He set up as a defence ■to the action that he did not authorise the contract made by his wife. His wife did not make any reference to payment when she left the car for repairs, but both she and the repairing firm expected her husband to pay. Judgment was given against the defendant for the full amount claimed. The Magistrate said it appeared that he used the car regularly in his business and that it was therefore not a luxury, thus giving his_ wife ■implied authority to pledge his credit :n connection with it.

Attention is directed to the railway advertisement appearing In this issue giving rji_: „;ouiars of the train services during the Christmas and New Year holidays. Orders to the value of £lO will be to-night at the euchre tournament in the Waratah Tea Rooms. Christmas and New Year greetings from the editor and staff of the Press, Christchurch, the chief detective and members of the Dunedin detective staff, the executive officer of the Otago district, M.U.1.0.0.P., the district executive, United Otago district, A.0.F., and the chairman, councillors and staff of the Manlototo County Council, tire chairman (Mr W. B. S. Knight) of the Otago Hospital Board, the Mayor and councillors of the borough of St. Kllda, Mr John Farrell. " Royal Court,” Auckland, the officers of the General Post Office, Wellington, and the directors and staff of the Colonial Motor Company, Ltd., are heartily reciprocated.

The new “ Dorothy ” Wedding Ring is the popular shape. It’s comfortable, too. At Williamsons, next the Bristol.—Advt. Rheumatics, Neuritis. —Arthur Malcolm, the rheumatic expert (for over 38 years), now consulting daily at 377 Leith street. See advt. on another page.—Advt. Many years' experience, plus the most up-to-date equipment scientific optometry ca. suggest, entitles W. V. Stunner. G A.0.C., D. 5.0.1., Octagon, Dunedin, to guarantee complete satisfaction irf all eye troubles. Advt. A. E. J. Blakeley and W. E. Bagley, dentists, 8,. k of Australasia, corner of Bond and Rattray streets (next Telegraph Office) Telephone 12-359.—Advt. Xmas Jewellery.—Compare our values. Just landed, large selection Diamond Rings, Reliable Watches, Jewellery, and Silverware. —Peter Dick, the most reliable jewellers, watchmakers, and opticians, 490 Moray place, Dunedin.—Advt.