NEWS OF THE DAY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24634, 16 June 1941, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY

"AS yet the world knows little of the amazing performance in Greece of one of the finest fighting formations in the Middle East," declares a military observer when writing of the 2nd New Zealand Division in the Egyptian Gazette of May 17. "They exploded ' once an*d for all the myth of Gejpan racial superiority and proved to themselves and to the world that democracy breeds men with tough physical qualities, initiative, and mental alertness." The writer pays a high tribute to thp deeds of a "veteran New Zealand infantry brigade." This is known to be a brigade in which many Southland soldiers are serving. Discarded Telephone Directories "If all the telephone directories in New Zealand were saved they would be worth in waste paper more than £3000," reads a slogan at the antiwaste exhibition in Wellington. Referring to the value of discarded telephone directories, one of the speakers at the official opening of the exhibition said that if. after the issue of the new directories, every old one was saved, 60 tons of paper would be obtainable for reclamation. Saved by Donkey

An interesting account of how he and a comrade got away from Greece after being left as inevitable prisoners of war is given. by Private S. Dixon, of Te Kuiti, in a letter to his wife. During the retreat through the mountains in which his company was fighting a rearguard action, Private Dixon was injured as the result of a faulty round exploding in his rifle, fragments being driven into his back and causing paralysis of the legs. A fellowsignalman volunteered to remain with him, and the two were left to be taken prisoner. The timely appearance of a stray donkey, however, saved the situation, and, by the use .of the animal, the injured soldier and his companion continued on their way to the coast. Here, with others, they commandeered a boat and made their way through the islands, eventually reaching Crete.

Letters from Troops It is no Uncommon thing for a letter from the Middle East to arrive minus its postage stamps. Jumping to conclusions, the recipient (states the Evening Post) blames the postal authorities, the office boy, or someone else for having removed the stamps for the purpose of adorning a collection. But there is another explanation, one which does not reflect on the acquisitive propensities of anybody. Postal officials suggested that as mails- from the Middle East were now conveyed in corn-sacks, the long sea journey and friction in transit rubbed off some of the stamps. There was no question about the stamps having been unlawfully removed, it was stated, because numbers of stamps had been found detached in the bags on their arrival in New Zealand. With air mail letters, where there was less handling and less time in transit, there was not the same likelihood of stamps becoming detached.

Wages of Engineers "It is absurd to suggest that journeymen boilermakers regularly make up to £44 a week, but that is the impression some people seem to have gathered from a report of the Armed Forces Appeal Board proceedings in Auckland," said Mr J. Neale, secretary to the Engineers and Allied Trades' Union, when interviewed at Auckland. He said that only once had that happened, and then only because it was urgent work of national importance, and the foreman was paid at a special rate for an almost continuous job in a week. The award rate fo'* journeymen w-\s £5 10s a week of 40 hours, Mr Neale said. The foreman of the job to which reference was made at the sitting of the Armed Forces Appeal Board had certainly earned his money, and in circumstances which were most unusual. He had worked hard almost night and day lor a whole week. No firm could afford to pay wages at that rate, and no worker could work continually at that pressure.

Wages and Hours An emphatic protest against increasing workers' wage rates or shortening their hours in the present time of emergency was entered by the Southland County Council at a recent meeting. The council decided to forward Prime Minister (Mr W. Nash) and the a motion of protest to the Acting Minister of Labour (Mr P. C. Webb). The subject was raised by Cr W. M. Norman after a report from the New Zealand County Councils' Industrial Union of Employers dealing with Conciliation Council proceedings in the award of the New Zealand Local Bodies (Rural Section) Labourers' Union. In these proceedings the present award was agreed to in the main, but certain points about wages and conditions remained in dispute and have been referred to the Court of Arbitration. "This matter has been coming up every 12 months," declared Cr Norman. "The terms they are asking for now are absolutely ridiculous when there is a war on." The chairman (Cr J. Dennis) said that the men themselves were quite satisfied. It was the union secretaries who wanted the increased wages and conditions more favourable to the workers.

Octagon Dug-out As the result of the efforts of the Otago branch of the New Zealand Educational Institute, the sum of £95 12s was raised at the Octagon Dugrbut on Saturday morning. This is a splendid effort in view of the cold weather on Saturday, and it is hoped that the disposal of the few remaining goods will result in a total of £IOO being reached. Quality of Petrol Reference to poor quality petrol being sold to motorists was made by Mr H. J. Butcher and other speakers at a meeting of the council of the Automobile Association (Auckland). Mr Butcher said the quality of petrol now being sold was definitely lower than it was six months agb. In view of the restricted supplies, motorists had some right to the extra mileage given by good petrol. The majority would be happy to pay an extra penny a gallon, for a better grade. The secretary, Mr G. W. Hutchison, said the association was unable to get an analyst's report on the quality of the petrol. Mr F. E. Farrell, president, said that members were perhaps lucky to be getting any petrol. The matter was referred to the Service Committee for a report. Coffee for breakfast. Order from your grocer a tin of " Bourbon," the coffee of quality. Instructions in /cry tin. Prepared by Durie's, coffee specialists, 32 Octagon. Dunedin.—Advt. % For rings, watches, and jewellery, try Peter Dick, jewellers. 59 Princes street, . Dunedin.—Advt.