A CRITIC OF OTTAWA.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21733, 26 August 1932, Page 8

A CRITIC OF OTTAWA.

Criticism both of the principles observed at Ottawa and of the agreements reached on the basis of these principles was to be expected, and it has not been difficult for the most part to anticipate both the sources from which criticism would comq and the reaisons, for it. It is, however, somewhiit surprising to find a leading Australian banker, /Mr A. C. Davidson, joining those who expect no good to come from the Ottawa agreements, and basing his apprehensions upon a decidedly controversial premise. Mr Davidson condemns the conference as “ai serious attempt by politicians to pursue a policy of interference beyond their own bounds.” It is a not unfamiliar view which he expresses, and it is one that has at times been most usefully employed to frighten Governmejnts back from their intentions when thtsy showed a design to obtain a hold .on! private enterprises. State interference in business and industry is, as experience in New Zealand has shown, generally to be regarded with disfavour. But a certain measure of State control of trade, especially of overseas trade, is to be recognised as necessary antd, when wisely applied,' as even beneficial. The arrangements that were made at Ottawa for the regulation of trade introduce no novel principle, and it! is difficult to understand why we should be specially warned now against a ;system that has been in operation within the Empire ever since the dominions enjoyed the right of selfgovernment. Tariffs are indubitably a jform of political interference with trade, and every nation in the world relies on them either to give protection to its industries or to ' provide itself with revenue. Quotas are a form of political interference with trade, but while it may be possible to exaggerate their merits, they are not necessarily vicious. ’lf it had been possible to buiid the Empire on a magnificent scheme of Freetrade, Mr Davidson’s objections to the Ottawa resolutions would be understood. The Empire has, however, perhaps unfortunately, not been developed on a basis of free interchange of products and manufactures, and the “political interference ” approved at Ottawa is designed, not so much to give the Empire Governments greater control of; trade, though it may have this effect, as to assist traders to exchange goods more freely within the Empire. Near does there seem to be substantial ground for Mr Davidson’s assumption thast the Ottawa agreements will isolate the, Empire countries from world commerce. The immediate effect of the announcement of the results of the Economic Conference has been to products an anxiety on the part of some foreign nations to preserve their trade witli British countries by an adjustment of their tariffs to meet the altered conditions. The Danish Government is reported—strangely enough from Montreal —to be about to institute sweeping reductions in tariffs, and if report is true in this respect, the example of Denmark may incite other European countries to tear down some of their barriers. The States of Eastern Europe are said to be striving, to reach agreement upon a policy that, will counterbalance the effects of Ottawa. These developments do not justify any fear that the Ottawa agreements will disable Gre&t Britain and the i dominions in their world trade connections, but rather the reverse. They are a first indication that the effect of the conference may be to destroy those restrictions that have prevented trade expansion throughout the' world. There is a further consideration respecting the Economic Conference to which banking authorities in Australia might have been expected to pay particular attention — namely, that the flow of British capital into developmental enterprises within the, Empire may be encouraged.

Mails for New Zealand The tanker New Zealand left Melbourne yesterday for Dunedin with four parcel receptacles for New Zealand. ■ The mail is due here on Monday next. Motor Car Stolen The loss was discovered early yesterday morning by Mr A. Sim, of Caversham, of his Morris Oxford single-seater touring car, which he had left at the parking area in Cumberland street, opposite the Early Settlers’ Hall. The registered number of the car, which is painted a light brown, is 93-173.

Counter-move by Railways Owing to some farmers who have ordered lime having their produce transported by motor lorries competing with the railways, the Railways Board has decided ' (says a Press Association telegram from Wellington) to enforce the regulation which authorises the department to withdraw from such offendors/the benefit of the free carriage of lime by rail. Forest Products Mission A Press Association telegram from Wellington states that while in Great Britain Mr A. R. Entrican, engineer in forest products, will inquire into other avenues of utilising forest products, besides investigating silver beech for motor-body building, which is the primary object of his absence. Provisions for Chatham Islands As there has been no connection by steamer between the Chatham Islands and New Zealand since the Tees made a trip in April it has been decided to despatch the Government lighthouse steamer Matai to the islands with provisions for the inhabitants, who are running short. The Matai will leave Wellington at midday on Monday, and Lyttelton at 6 p.m. on Tuesday for Waitangi, and will return direct to Wellington. Repairs to Arapuni Dam Mr F. W. Furkert, engineer-in-chief of the Public Works Department, said yesterday that he expected that the work of making the coffer dam at Arapuni watertight by means of tarpaulins would be finished within a week, and that the dewatering to enable repair work on the tiled lining of the head race to be proceeded with would then commence. The protracted preparation of the* tarpaulin covering is due to its awkward shape. Fish Drifting South Another fish common in Auckland waters has been attracted to Otago waters, where it has rarely been seen in the past. Mr David Graham states this' fish is known as the silver dory, and that at least half a dozen have been taken by trawlers outside' the Otago Heads during the last week. It has a silvery - body with brightly red tinted fins along its back and tail, giving it a striking appearance when first caught. It is of interest, Mr Graham . says, to note the trend of northern fish to our waters. The fish is of no commercial value and does not grow to more than eight or nine inches. It is closely allied to the John Dory and the boarfish.

City Police Court At a sitting of the City Police Court yesterday morning, before Mr J. R. Bartholomew, S.M., Richard Haslan Smith was charged with being intoxicated whilst in charge of a motor car. The accused pleaded guilty to being drunk, but said that he had not been in charge of the car. Sergeant Boulton said that at 1.50 p.m. on Wednesday, whilst Traffic Inspector Mann was driving along Forbury road he saw the accused lying over the wheel of a motor car which was standing at the side of the roadway. The accused, who was in a drunken condition, said that he,had run out of petrol. He and a companion were taken away in the inspector’s car, the inspector telling them that he was taking them to the Police Station. The accused then attempted to switch off the engine of the car, and nearly caused. a collision. The two meh got out of the car, but the accused was subsequently arrested; ‘ Sergeant Boulton said he understood that the accused and four others had hired the car and were selling goods round the city. In evidence the accused admitted having been drunk, but depied that he had been in charge of the car, stating that he could not drive a motor car. The man in charge of the vehicle had gone down Forbury road to get some petrol. The accused was remanded until to-day in order that he might secure evidence in support of his case, bail being allowed in his own recognisance of £2O and one surety of £2O. Trade With” Scotland .

Jhat Glasgow is determined to open tip a door to Scottish markets for the producing countries of the Empire was demonstrated 12 months ago when the Clyde Navigation Trust, which controls the port of Glasgow, despatched Mr Harold M. Ford on a tour of the dominions for the purpose of interesting exporters, in the possibilities of Scottish markets. Mr Ford visited New Zealand, and in the course of an extended stay spent a fortnight in Dunedin, In an interesting article in the new official guide book published by the corporation, he deals with his tour, and asserts that the enterprise shown in connection with Australia and New Zealand has resulted in an increase of trade which is still growing, and is confident that success can be attained if a strong effort is made to develop trade with South Africa. “ Trade with Australia and the Glasgow markets has been nearly trebled,” he says, “ and that of New Zealand increased by 75 per cent. —yet only the fringe of the possibilities in Scotland has been touched. Glasgow is- #ot only the commercial gateway to 'Scotland, linked up by every ocean route with all parts of the world, but backed by its great markets is the natural feeder for overseas supplies to a population of 6,t)00,000 in'' Scotland, the north of England, and Northern Ireland. Jt is a realisation of this factor, more important to-day than at any time, which is so necessary on the part of our dominions if they are to see trade in their primary industries firmly established throughout Britain.” A Case of Bigamy

Because of unusual circumstances surrounding the ease, Charles William Kitson, aged 48, who had pleaded guilty to a charge of committing bigamy, was allowed by Mr Justice Hcrdman, in the Supreme Court at Auckland on Monday, to retain his liberty. Kitson was married in Yorkshire in 1905 to Mary Emily Buxton, and on January 30, 1924, he went through a form of marriage with Olive Ruth Baldwin, at Avondale, Auckland. His Honor said he had given a great deal of consideration to the case because the offence of bigamy was a serious one, but the circumstances were quite unusual. After serving in France at the war Kitson had been separated from his wife, and when he came to New Zealand he endeavoured to communicate with her over a period of two years and failed to receive a reply. The police report was strongly in his favour, and his Honor came to the conclusion that he could treat the case as an exceptional one. Kitson would be ordered to come up for sentence - if called on and to pay the costs (£2 9s) within three months. His counsel mentioned that Kitson had four children in New Zealand.

Demand for Coal Decreasing With the rapid approach of warmer weather household fuel requirements are being curtailed (repox-ts our special corcorespondent in Auckland). There has been a noticeable falling off in the demand for coal won from the Waikato coalfields, with the result that the companies operating in the area are working short time. It is said to be inevitable that as a consequence of the shortage of orders a number of miners will be dispensed with almost immediately. Notices terminating their engagement, it is understood. will be sent out to-day or tomorrow, and it is expected that all the mines in the area will be affected by the reduction of hands proposed.

Shop Girl Alleges Attack | Some excitement was caused in George j street yesterday morning by the story of a girl clerk in Mr J. Jackson Purdie’s receiving depot, Miss Winnie Smith, who stated that she had been struck' a heavy blow on the head and rendered partly unconscious by a man who had entered thq shop. Miss Smith could give only a very vague account of the assault, and was totally unable to describe the man. Moreover, shopkeepers in the vicinity saw no one enter or leave the shop about that time, but it was discovered later that the sum of £l7 was missing from the till. The girl was attended by Dr Falconer, of Ashburn Hall, who was unable to find' any injuries. The matter was reported to the police, 'and detectives commenced investigations, but they are reticent. Shipment of Bananas A Press Association cablegram from Suva states that the Waipahi sailed yesterday for Auckland with 7200 cases of bananas. Disarmament Conference At a meeting of the Otago branch of the League of Nations’ Union, held oh Tuesday, the following resolutions were passed:—(l) “That we urge the Government to do all in its power to secure the abolition of those weapons of a peculiarly' aggressive nature which were forbidden to Germany and the defeated nations by the peace treaties, such as monster warships, submarines, mobile land guns, heavy artillery, tanks, naval and military bombing aircraft, and that flame projectors and chemical and bacteriological' warfare be abolished.” (2) “ That we respectfully urge that when the Disarmament Conference reassembles more active steps be taken towards large-scale and practical disarmament, and that President Hoover’s recent proposals for a 33 per cent, reduction in air, land, and naval armaments be given serious and sympathetic consideration." The State of Australia New Zealand passengers by the Aorangi, which arrived at Auckland on Monday, seemed agreed that prospects were rather brighter in Sydney and Melbourne, chiefly owing to the change of government in both New South Wales and Victoria. This, they said, had released money for investment and caused a revival of confidence which could be seen in the erection' of new business premises and additions. However, on the general economic situation, and particularly that of the farmers, opinions differed. One man with rural interests gave his view that the dairy farmer was rather better off in Australia than New Zealand owing to the higher rate of exchange and / the butter bonus under the Patterson Plan. Another traveller said it seemed to be considered that Australia had yet to touch bottom. There was more visible poverty in the cities than in New Zealand, and possibly recovery, when it came, would be less rapid than here. ! Free Ambulance Praised In the presence of a large gathering the. Governor-General (Lord Bledisloe) yesterday laid the foundation stone of the new Wellington Free Ambulance building. , He said that the seryice represented by the free ambulance work and the new edifice could not be, too highly applauded. It was evoked by human sympathy, buttressed by energy, and in the present- case by organisation. 1 There was no quality more noble or inspiring than human sympathy, but it became most noble when translated into actual human helpfulness, and that was characterised in a dominant degree by the work of the Free Ambulance Board and those who worked under it. Anglican General Synod The next General Synod of the Church, of England will be held at Napier instead of at Auckland as had been intended. By rotation, it was Napier’s turn, but (says a Press Association telegram), it had been feared on account of the earthquake that it would not be advisable to meet there. The Standing .Committee of the General Synod, which . met at Wellington to-day, decided, however, that the synod should meet at Napier. Knitting for Men There is a waterside worker in Auckland who quite often takes his knitting to work and fills in his spare time making some woollen garment or other (says bur Auckland correspondent). He is a fairly young man. . Recently he produced his knitting in a tramcar and in spite 'of expressions of horror on the faces of his fellow male passengers, and the,unashamed merriment of women travellers, he clicked his needles in the most unconcerned fashion. For years women have been encroaching on man’s domain, and knitting is one of the few instances where men have sought to retaliate. One of the newest recruits to this nerve-soothing art is a retired sea captain, who whiles away many a pleasant hour knitting socks-for himself. "

Ballet Dancing in Sydney The young people of Sydney (says the correspondent in that city of the Melbourne Age) are endeavouring to keep the dramatic stage alive until it comes back into, its own, as it will some day when new writers awake a new dramatic era. Having got the dramatic stage well to- * wards a, revival, these young. people—particularly the girls—are turning their attention to the dance. In almost every suburb a ballet is being formed to keep that graceful stagecraft alive. Like acting, dancing comes naturally to girls; but Sydney is not only noted for its graceful dancers, but for the fact that dancing is never out of season, summer or winter.. The ballet dancers are not only being formed in suburbs in connection with organisations, but in offices and warehouses, and places where there are many girls employed. The Town Hall has a ballet, which is in full rehearsal - for an entertainment organised for the purpose of getting funds for the many hundreds of former employees who are out of work. Soon there will be as much rivalry among the ballets as amodg the community singers. But it is all keeping the art alive, and no schools of instruction will be needed when happy days are here again. Wellington Hospital Board >

With the burden of unemployment relief having been removed from its shoulders, the Wellington Hospital Board expects (reports our special correspondent) to be able to live within l its income for the current year. Speaking at a meeting of the board to-day the chairman (Mr F. Castle) said the expenditure for the month was ,£2707 below that of the monthly average for -the previous four months. The improvement was due to the Unemployment Board accepting the responsibility for those out of work. The indications pointed to the board being able to live within its income for the year.

Railway Freights on Timber Considerable attention is given in the annual report of the Dominion Sawmillers’ Association to the question of railway feights on New Zealand timber. “ With each successive decline in timber prices, it has been increasingly manifest that the railway freight charges on timber comprise ■ a disproportionately high portion of -the cost of the product of our- mills to the users, and the federation has made many representations to the railway authorities seeking a reduction in these excessive freight charges. So far, however, our efforts in this direction have, been of little avail,” the report states. Railway freight rates for the carriage of timber are a serious factor in maintaining the price of timber in retail markets at a figure completely out of relation with, the prices realised at the country mills. Moreover, the cost of railway ’ timber freightage is disproportionately costly in relation to the freight rates on many other low-value commodities. Particularly is this so in respect to the freight rate on dry timber.” ' ‘

Liability Disclaimed * An echo of the recant waterfront trouble in Dunedin was heard at the meeting of the Otago Harbour Board last evening, when Messrs H, L. Tapley and, Co. sought concessions or lay-up rates in respect of the steamers Canadian Conqueror and Fiscus, which were held up./ in port as a result of the stoppage _ of/' / work. When the letter of application was read, the chairman (Mr J. Loudon) said that at the request of a member of the board he had made inquiries concerning the action that was taken in this regard by other ports. Auckland had replied that no concessions were being made, Wellington’s answer had been to the effect that nO applications had been received, and Lyttelton advised that th# question had not at that time arisen, but that applications would be considered if they were made in terms of the bylaws. It was agreed after a brief discussion that all liability in this connection should be disclaimed, and,that the applicants should be advised that the board regretted that no concessions could be granted. The Caledonian Ground

With the) work of draining nearing completion, the Caledonian Ground presents an entirely different appearance from that which greeted the eye at the beginning of the winter, when from end to end . the field was little more than,, a sea, of ! mud, banked oh either side by high mounds of earth, and it is estimated that the surface will be ready for sowing .within the next three weeks. A new drain has been constructed along the far side of the ground'from the grand stand, practically at right angles to the Anderson’s Bay road, and at the present time lateral drains are being put in, running from the centre of the ground out to either side, the old drain down the side next the grand ! stand being still in use. These cross drains are for the most part constructed of three-inch pipes, and being placed at, a distance of 12ft apart, the reformed Caledonian Ground should not suffer from surface water. The outside running track has all been ‘returfed, and with , a little attention should be fit for , use almost immediately. Work\ on the cycling track will be put in hand shortly with the object of having it completed by the middle of/ neit month. The centre of the field, 1 however, will not be available for any type of sporting activity until late in the season, and it is understood that no cricket matches will be' played there before next season. Provided that the. weather x is fihe, the sowing of grass will be undertaken about the middle of September, and it is possible, that with the use of the mower and roller the whole ground will be available for athletic meetings by the end of February.

Employment of Fouth* “ Notwithstanding that: I am- a member of the Economies ' Committee,” said Mr J. B. Waters *at the meeting of the Otago Harbour Board last evening, “ I appeal to members on the ground of the public welfare to sanction the employment by this board of at leas.t one boy. This is a humanitarian project of the greatest urgency, and I think that we should do all we can to help it.” The speaker was referring to the appeal by the Chamber of Commerce for: employers to find work for the vast army of youths who at the present time have nothing to do. Mr F. Tyson said he heartily supported the scheme, and commended to members the effort that was being madeto employ boys who at the present* time were wandering .about the streets in danger of getting into trouble. One of the tragedies of the present time, he said, was the plight of hundreds of these young fellows who could not find anything to turn their hands to. _ Several other speakears : supported the . proposal, and Mr T., Anderson moved that the board should engage the services of two boys, one each in the engineering and secretarial : departments. The motion was carried unanimously, the board agreeing to employ two boys, at 10a per week for a period of one year. It was agreed that the matter was above- and beyond mere £ s. d., and the opinion was. strongly expressed that all employers of labour should make. an endeavour to further a project that was of national importance. Mr J. M‘C. Dickson said he hoped that' the boys employed would regard their engagement as an opportunity to learn something rather than as mere marking time until something else-turned up. '

Legacyto Hospital Boards Under the will of the late Mr F. A. Green a legacy of £3OOO has been left tor the hospitals of New, Zealand (says a Press Association telegram from Wellington). Mr Qreen, who had interests in the Dominion, died in England on July '5, 1916. He left a life interest in his residuary estate to his wife, who died in January, 1931, and directed that after her death part! of the property was to ba sold and the money so obtained divided among the whole of the public'hospitals in the colony of New Zealand pro rata per bed. In order to settle a point which may arise concerning the testator’s < date, which will be settled in England, the Department of Health has been asked to nominate one hospital as a party to the proceedings. The Wellington Board yesterday agreed to the recommendation of the Director-general that it should be nominated oh the understanding that no liability on its part would be incurred.

Exchange and Inflation Pithy retorts were'a feature of discussions which followed questions at Professor .Murphy’s address on currency in Napier recently. “Do you think the Bank of New South Wales did any good Or harm by raising the exchange rate be-. ' tween Australia and England? ” was a question asked by Mr W. Kinross White. Professor Murphy: Are you a farmer? Mr White: Partly. Professor Murphy: I think that ; answers your question. “ Seriously, however,” he added, when the laughter had died down, "I think the action of the Bank of New South Wales did more harm than good.” Expressing , the view that inflation was less undesirable than deflation, and that inflation, if mild« and controlled, could not do a great deal of harm, Professor Murphy remarked; “If a lot of the budding currency experts that we have coming forward at the moment were allowed to have their way, the inflation, I fear, would not be very : mild and controlled.” ’

In connection with the large number of competitors in the Bournville it is interesting to mention that the win-/ ner of the- first, prize is a boy of eight years of age, Master Roy J. Dickison, Roslyn. Jhe prizes will be on view for a week at 'the premises of Messrs Young and Anderson, George street, and afterwards in the window of Messrs Wolfenden and Russell, South Dunedin. An advertisement in. this issue gives particulars of the "free and easy ” night which will be held in the Returned Soldiers’ Club Rooms to-morrow night. All ex-servicemen and friends are invited.

Wet and Cold petrol will not gas—buy a Muff. —Austin Motors (Otago), Ltd., for Muffs.—Advt. Save your eyes. Be wise, and consult W. V. Sturmer (optician, 2 Octagon), thus conserving good vision for old age.— Advt. a 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. Those who are requiring an Engagement Ring will do well to inspect our Rings.—Peter Dick, ring specialist, 49f Moray place. Dunedin.—Advt. •