NEWS OF THE DAY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24776, 28 November 1941, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY

CTAFF and pupils of the Otago Girls' High School are keenly interested in their rock garden, which is a feature of the school amenities. Apparently there are others who take an interest in the plarus, but with less worthy motives, for three of the rarest, whose development has been affording the keenest pleasure at the school, have recently been stolen overnight. For the person'who can contemplate and carry out such vandalism there can be nothing but contempt in the mind of the normal citizen.

Prime Minister Interrupted The staccato cracks of two rifle shots interrupted the Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, while speaking last night to a parade of the Sea Cadet Corps: "Are those shots for me? " he inquired, amid laughter. It was explained that a Home Guard unit was conducting rifle practice next door. "Then don't interrupt the Home Guard. I have had to speak through almost every kind of commotion at one time or another," he added, laughing with the crowd.

Investment of Loan Moneys Authority for the investment of loan moneys in most Government securities is contained in the Local Authorities Loan Moneys Investment Order, 1941, which was gazetted last night. This order (states a Press Association message' from Wellington) puts into effect the intention of Section 28 of the Finance Act, 1941, enabling the investment of loan moneys in cases where, because of such factors as the shortage of electrical, structural and other equipment they cannot be utilised at present for the original purposes.

An Encouraging View " I can tell you that the war is going pretty well," the Leader of the Opposition (Mr S. G. Holland) told his committee members in the Christchurch North electorate when they entertained him yesterday. Mr Holland (says a Press Association telegram) had arrived from Wellington in the morning. The war situation generally and in the Pacific was a lot better than it had been for a long time, said Mr Holland, whose remarks were greeted with applause. If anything, there was an upward trend in the war situation. Mr Holland added that he could not tell them more.

Medical Corps Headquarter* The headquarters of the Otago University Medical Corps was transferred to new premises at the Kensington Drill Hall yesterday. The rooms were formerly occupied by the headquarters staff of the second battalion of the New Zealand Scottish Regiment, before it was transferred to Forbury Camp, where that unit is in camp. The rooms have been renovated, refurnished and painted, and should prove decidedly more suitable than the temporary quarters allotted to the unit in the former registration office, after the unit was * transferred from the Marama Hall at the University. New Zealand Flour

Referring to the question of the quality of New Zealand bread, which was raised by the judges of a bread competition at the Nelson Show, the Minister of Industries and Commerce, Mr D. G. Sullivan, said yesterday (states a Press' Association message from Wellington) that he had received a telegram from a baker of many years' experience, stating, inter alia: "I am surprised at the unwarranted attack on.the quality of New Zealand flour by- the judges at the Nelson Show. Your department is doing a good job for the bakers and its work should be appreciated. After 22 years in business as a baker, I consider that New.: Zealand flour and bread are better to-day than ever." Navy League Denial

A denial of a recent assertion that the Navy League received assistance from the National Patriotic Fund was given by Mr J. Sutherland Ross, president of the Otago branch of the Nayy League, at a parade of the Sea Cadet Corps last night during a visit by the Prime Minister, Mr Fraser. "The statement, as published in connection with a recent discussion, is a total misrepresentation of the facts, and if only in fairness and justice to this cadet corps it should be corrected," Mr Ross said. "The Navy League has never at any time either asked for or received a single penny from patriotic funds. The league •is a wholly voluntary organisation."

Albatross Sanctuary The royal albatross sanctuary at Taiaroa Heads was visited by the Prime Minister and his party during a tour of inspection of the fortified area yesterday afternoon, and both Mr Fraser and Mrs Fraser showed great interest in the nesting birds. Mr L. E. Richdale, who has done so much to have the birds protected in the sanctuary, conducted the party and pointed out the five nesting birds, four of which are within the restricted area itself. He explained in detail the known habits of the albatross, and answered many questions by members of the party. Mr Fraser expressed gratification that the birds had become established there, and said that he had been particularly interested in the unique sight he had seen. Men Back from Overseas

Up to the end of October no fewer than 1896 men who have been serving with the armed forces overseas have returned to the Dominion. This figure is given in a statement published in the official Labour newspaper, the Standard, which remarks that as the war proceeds the problems of rehabilitation and of providing pensions are growing. These men would include those brought back from the Middle East as the result of wounds, sickness, or accident, as well as sick and accident cases from England and Fiji. Not all these men are receiving pensions, says the newspaper, but the number of war pensions payable to men who had returned to New Zealand up to that date for discharge or to those who had been discharged from the home defence forces was 1532, of which 874 were supplemented by way of economic pension.

Children's Welcome The journey of the Prime Minister to Port Chalmers yesterday morning was not without interruption, but the interruptions were welcomed by Mr Fraser. At both Sawyers' Bay and Port Chalmers itself school children lined the road and gave the official party an enthusiastic welcome. Mr Fraser on both occasions stopped his car and chatted for several minutes with the children, the majority of whom were probably seeing the Prime Minister for the first time. The children of the Port Chalmers School and St. Mary's Convent formed a guard of honour down the main street, and the party walked slowly through the lanes of youngsters. The children were rewarded for their welcome to the Prime Minister, for, on the suggestion of the member for the district, Mr J. W. Munro, they were given a half-holiday. A former Minister of Education. Mr Fraser had already paid a visit to the Forbury School earlier in the day.