RELIEF WORK AND THE FARMER.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21198, 2 December 1930, Page 8

RELIEF WORK AND THE FARMER.

The decision of the Unemployment Board to pay wages on relief works at the rate of 14s per day has not been allowed to pass without challenge. Already the Southland County Council and the Ashburton County Council have expressed their disapproval of thb rate fixed by the board, and it will not be surprising if the sentiments expressed by these bodies are endorsed by other local administrative authorities, especially those in rural ( districts. The contention of the Southland and Ashburton County Councils is that the gravity of the financial position in the Dominion, particularly as it affects the primary producer, is such that the payment of relief wages at 14s may be definitely .prejudicial to the interests of the employer, and it is suggested that farm labourers, tempted by the rate that is offered, may even join the ranks of the unemployed in order to obtain work at it. The contention appears to be not without justification, for it is common knowledge that many farmers are at present unable to pay 14s per day, or its equivalent, to employees. Against the severely practical viewpoint of the county councils it may be atgued that the rate of wages fixed by the Unemployment Board is not unduly high in the case of a worker who has to make provision for a wife and family out of his pay. On sentimental grounds, also, it may be suggested that the proposal to reduce the relief rate of pay is inopportune at this particular season of the year. Unfortunately, however, sentiment can hardly be allowed to override stem realities in the case of the taxpayers in a critical period, and it has to be recognised that the Unemployment Board’s funds have been contributed under direct levy with the purpose of relieving those who are actually out of work, not with any idea of even necessarily maintaining the rates of pay that have prevailed in more favourable times. The lot of the primary producer is a matter of moment to every section of the community, and it is notorious that he is presently facing grave difficulties and that his personal reward for industry has been reduced to a minimum, if not actually to zero. If the wages offered on relief works will have the effect of adding to the perplexities of the farmer, it is desirable that they should be subjected to revision, however much the consequence may embarrass the Unemployment Board. The postal authorities advise that the steamer Remuera, which arrived at Wellington on Sunday from London, brought 42 bags of English mail and 81 parcel receptacles for Dunedin. The mail will reach the local Post Office this afternoon, and the parcel portion to-morrow morning. Our Oturehua correspondent writes that the rainfall registered there for the mouth of November was 208 points. For the past three months the total was fi.SOin, In spite of this, however, the continual cold winds have had a hardening effect on the soil, and a heavy downpour of rain would be very welcome. When the proposed alterations to Knox Church .are made it is hoped to install an accousticon for the benefit of those who suffer from deafness. Finance has been the difficulty in the way of providing this most necessary equipment, which is now found in most large churches, but two members have already promised to contribute to the cost of the installation, which will be about £6O, and it is expected that little difficulty will be experienced in raising the balance. After successful official trials over the harbour course at Auckland the new wooden motor vessel recently built by Mr George Nicol has been sold to the Anchor {shipping and Foundry Company, of Nelson. She has been named the Taupata by her new owners. ' The Taupata will leave early in December for Norfolk Island {says a Press Association telegram from Wellington), and will then be taken to Nelson. The Anchor Shipping Company intends to use her for the carriage of fruit from Motueka, Mapua, and Nelson to Wellington, and in other cargo services for which her shallow draught—eight feet —makes her especially suitable.

The following are the returns.of.infectious diseases at the Dunedin and Fever Hospitals for the week ended at noon, yesterday:—Scarlet fever —admitted 1, discharged 2, remaining 12; actinomycoses—discharged 1, none remaining; ophthalmia neonatorum—remaining 1. Totals: Admitted 1, discharged 3, remaining 13.

The balance of the raffles held in connection with the Manufacturers 1 Exhibition were drawn in Mr J. W. Smeaton’s board room last evening under police supervision, the winners of the three big prizes being Mr-.J. ’Gould, 7 James street, North-East Valley; Miss Neilson, 45 Moray place; and Mr C. Buchan, 85 Stuart street. The names of the winners of the other raffles will be found in an advertisement appearing in this issue. Winners may receive their prizes at the exhibition office in the Drill Hall until noon to-day, and thereafter at the office of Mr James Taylor, Imperial Buildings, Dowling street. When visiting Wellington , towards the end of last week, Mr J. H. Duncan, manager for Messrs H. L. Tapley and Co., had the privilege of inspecting the world tourist ship Malolo. Mr Duncan told a Daily Times reporter that the Malolo could be described as a remarkable vessel. While her accommodation was perhaps not so elaborate as that of the large British Atlantic liners, every possible comfort for passengers was to be found on the American ship. The Malolo, for instance, was equipped with 600 telephones, with a central exchange. There was a wonderful swimming pool, Turkish baths, gymnasium, barber’s shop, and printing works. Three of the most striking features of the large liner were the spacious promenade decks, including a Bun deck. The Malolo was also equipped with a theatre, where moving and talking pictures were screened. The ship, which gave one the impression of being a magnificent floating home, had a sea-going speed of 21 knots.

An allegation that some unemployed men were selling orders on the Christchurch Hospital Board for 33 1-3 per cent, less than their face value and using the money so obtained to go to the pictures was made by Mr W. W. Scarf! at yesterday’s meeting of the Citizen’s Unemployment Committee (reports our special correspondent). Mr J. G. Barnett said that publicity should not be given to such statements unless they werp- definitely proved. “I do not make those .statements unless I know what I am saying/' retorted Mr Scarf!. He quoted another case of a man who obtained relief work with the Heathoote County Council, and after earning £4 4s 4d in one week did not work on the Saturday morning. so that he could obtain his rations from a certain depot. Mrs Annie Freer: "We are not open on Saturday, so it could not have been our depot.” The chairman (Mr E. H. Andrews) here called - the committee’s attention back to, the order paper, and the discussion was dropped. At a meeting of the council of the Otago Art Society held last evening, the re&ulta of the recent exhibition were reviewed, and gratification was expressed at the successful outcome of .the first public effort of the newly reorganised body. The treasurer’s statement showed that after the deduction of all expenses there was a net profit of over £25 accruing upon the exhibition, and that the society, having now a satisfactory hank balance to its credit, should be able to look forward with confidence to the future. It was decided that the society should purchase for presentation to the Dunedin Public Art Gallery the picture "Isle of Breckon, Sark,” by Rhona Haezard, one of this talented artist’s most admired contributions to a Dunedin exhibition. That this early gesture from the new society will be appreciated by the citizens should go without saying. Using the experience of Mr Stannage on ■ the Atlantic- flight with Kingsford Smith as an example of the value of wireless in aviation, the Director of Air Ser. vices (Wing-commander Grant Dalton) referred (says ■ a Press Association telegram from Wellington) to possible future developments in this way in Hew Zealand, He stated that he,had asked the Government, if it was going to give any money' to commercial aviation, to spend it on wireless and night landing equipment. He hoped to have wireless direction posts as far east and west as possible—for example, at New Plymouth and Hastings. The idea was that a machine might fly despite weather, and link up. the whole Dominion.

Regret that the home played go email a part in the life of the younger generation was expressed by Judge Henry C. Gesford, for 18 years a judge of the Superior Court of California, who was a passenger on the Malolo. “ Youth to-day is no worse than in-the time of its parents, but young men and women now have more'to fight, as there are more temptations,” said Judge Gesford to a Dominion' reporter. " However, parents in many cases do not make sufficient allowance for any slips that might I do not want it. thought I am exonerating any wrong-doers, but I do think a certain amount of mercy could be shown. Home is the sweetest place on earth, and .this should be. impressed, by fathers and mothers. It used to" be the best place, but now it is' merely a resting place for the night, and in many cases is even then not availed of until the small hours of the morning. The home. should be the gathering place for all the - family, where troubles can be ventilated, and right advice given children by their parents. It is a pity that this grand idea has slumped so much.” From a dairying point of view Australia' is having a wonderfully productive season, particularly in the northern part of Hew South Wales,” said Mr A, J. Heighway, editor of the New Zealand Dairy Exporter and the New Zealand Radio' Record, on his return to Wellington by the Maunganui yesterday from a sis weeks’ business visit ,to the Commonwealth. “ Exports to England,” he added, K are showing tills year a big' percentage increase over last year’s figures.” Mr Heighway was, of course, greatly interested in Australian dairying, and he studied the conditions of the industry while in Victoria and New South Wales. The growth of broadcasting also impressed him, and he said that the system of broadcasting ball by ball the test matches played in England had resulted in many thousands of sets being bought \and a fair proportion of the population keeping very late hours while the broadcasts were on. “ There is no doubt,” he said, “ that radio was given a great fillip at that time.”

Mr Ernest Drake will give a concert in the- Concert Chamber, Town Hall, on Sunday next, the net proceeds to be divided equally between the Mayor’s and Citizens’ Relief Committees. As this timely and gratuitous offer on Mr Drake’s part will materially assist the depots to function a little longer, it is hoped that the public will respond liberally, the method of giving being by collection.

W. V Sturmer. G.A.0.C., D. 5.0.1. optician. Consulting room, 2 Octagon, Dunedin. Most modern scientific equipment for sight testing.—Advt, A. E. J. Blakeley and W E. Bagley, dentists, Bank of Australasia, corner of Bond and Rattray streets (next Telegraph Office) Telephone 12-359.—Advt.

S. E, Ferguson, G.P.0.C., consulting optician, watchmaker, and jeweller Consult us about your eyes; , our advice and long experience are at your disposal Optical repairs a specialty; done at shortest notice.—4s George street. —Advt. The Plymouth all-electric radio, £22 The World’s best value set. Barth’s Electrical Supplies, Ltd., 56 Princes street, Dunedin.—Advt.

Call in and select your Christmas presents and we will put them away for you, All new stock from England and France Latest perfumes powders, and creams.— Q L. Sprosen, Ltd., chemists, toilet specialists, and photographic dealers, corner Octagon and George street. —Advt. We succeed by successful testing.— Peter Dick, jewellers, watchmakers, and opticians, 490 Moray place Dunedin.—Advt.

George Mcllor, a 19-year-old hairdresser’s assistant, travelled from York to Scarborough, a distance of 42 miles, on roller skates, in 7hr Smin, -