NEWS OF THE DAY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25238, 29 May 1943, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY

“ rFHE announcement of proposals -*• for raising the school leaving age is welcomed by the New Zealand Manufacturers’ Federation and by manufacturers generally,” said Mr D. I. Macdonald, secretary of the federation, in reporting that the mattef had been discussed at a meeting of the federation’s council in Wellington this week. In the council’s opinion, the higher leaving age should be at least 15 years. In the move, it was felt, there was a distinct benefit to be gained by the community as a whole in giving the youth of the country a fuller education. It would have far-reach-ing effects for the good of all. For the young people themselves it would be beneficial in the effect it , would have upon their character, and there was also the valuable purpose it would serve in having the children placed under stricter control for a longer period. Without Precedent So far as can be ascertained (says a Press Association telegram from Wellington) the postponement of the presentation of the Budget because of Mr Coates’s death is without precedent. Infantile Paralysis “The infantile paralysis situation is now definitely improved,” said the medical officer of health (Dr T. McKibbin) yesterday. “No cases have been reported in the district since May 11.” Petrol for June The Minister of' Supply announced last night (says a Press Association telegram) that the usual half petrol coupon would be available for the use of motorists for the month of June. Coupon No. 27 would therefore be available at half its face value. Anzac Day Observance ' , The annual conference of the N.Z.R.S.A. (says a Press Association telegram) reaffirmed the opinion that Anzac Day should be observed on no other day than April 25. It was decided to make representations to the Government that where any statute, award, or agreement under the Arbitration Court included provisions that were. contrary to the spirit of the Anzac Day Act, and had been made a bargaining point in the matter of wages, the position should I be remedied. Home Life “No regime can survive which denies to the home and the family circle the right to form and'fashion the characters and ambitions of the rising generation,” said 'the Minister of Finance, Mr W. Nash, speaking at Wanganui.. The home, he added, had its origin in the mind of the Creator. “The parent has the responsibility of developing in the. mind of children, all their attitudes to life, and to create that appreciation of spiritual, moral, and material values without which no people can continue, much less progress.” Boer War Veteran a Prisoner The fact that T. Mockford, a veteran of the Boer war. served overseas in the present war and is now a prisoner, and ,that he has two sons also in the forces, is disclosed in the annual report of the Dunedin branch of the South African War Veterans’ ' Association. The report shows that 49 members of the branch, two of whom are deceased, have a total of 72 sons serving in the forces and another member has a daughter on active service. Eight of the sons are prisoners of war, two are missing, three have been killed,/ and one was drowned as the result of enemy action.

Notable Feat Recalled The death occurred in the Waikato Hospital recently of Corporal Jack Davidson, son of Mr and Mrs J. G. Davidson, of Mahoenui. .• Corporal Davidson, who sailed from New Zealand with the first echelon, had a remarkable escape from Greece. After the German break-through he and h few companions escaped to. the hills, and after a 200-mile journey arrived at the coast, where they secured a small fishing boat. By sailing at night and hiding by day they reached Crete. They were in an emaciated condition, and were evacuated to Egypt. Corporal Davidson was severely wounded at El Alamein, and invalided back to New Zealand five months ago. Soldiers on Farms The military authorities have advised the Otago Primary Production Council that no further labour from the camps will be available after the end of the present month for harvesting, potato digging, and similar work. The secretary of the council (Mr E. H. Calder) said yesterday that during tne four months in which the scheme had been operating the farniers had been greatly assisted by the soldier farm workers, of whose efforts they spoke in the highest terms. The main harvesting operations had been completed, and the few late crops that remained' could be handled in the ordinary way. Mr Calder added that the operation of the scheme,had been facilitated by the ready, co-operation of the area commander, Colonel J. G. Jeffery, and the liaison officer, Major T. H, Pugh; / German Error ’ “Two years before the war,” said Air Vice Marshal R. V. Goddard, Chief, of the Air Staff, in an Empire Day address, “ a group of German Air Force generals visited the Royal Air Force in England. I had to take them round. At Cranwell, one ■- of our training schools, there is a well-known picture —a group ,of lions basking in the desert. I surprised those generals in the act of laughing at the symbolism of that picture. Reading their thoughts, I pointed at one of the smaller lions—the only , one that appeared to be awake —and said: ‘ I suppose that one would be New' Zealand.’ One of the generals replied: ‘Ach, yah. New Zealand—gazing out over the Pacific desert! ’ That was a curious combination of words—the Pacific desert. And that man was General Wenninger, recently Chief of Staff of the Luftwaffe in North Africa Whether he remembers that incident at Cranwell, or not, he probably regrets that he—and all his Nazi confederates—so’misread the character of the British Empire.

Municipal Organ Recital The city organist, Dr V. E. Galway, has arranged a programme of unusually interesting, organ music for his after-church recital in the Town Hall to-morrow night. A composition of outstanding merit to be performed is Mendelssohn’s brilliant Sonata No. 6 in D minor. The programme will also include “Arioso” (Bach), Finale to the First Symphony (Vierne), Allegro Cantabile from the Fifth. Symphony) (Widor), Fantasia on Luther’s hymn, “A Safe Stronghold Our God is Sure” (Faulkes), Valse in A flat major (Brahms), and Chopin’s Polonaise in A. Dr. Galway will be assisted by the Cecilia Choir, under the conductorship of Miss Meda Paine. The choir will give six items—“ Scene from Orpheus ” (Gluck), “Lost is my Quiet” (Purcell), “The Violet” (Scarlatti), “My Love Dwelt in a Northern Land ” (Elgar), “Lullay, Lullay” (Somervell), and “How Merrily We Live” (Michael Este). There will be no charge for admission. Wages and Prices When consideration was being given in the Supreme Court at Wellington to the question of a waterside workers* probable earnings if he had not met with a fatal accident, counsel for the employers suggested that after the war waterfront earnings would be considerably reduced. Counsel for the man’s widow contended, on the other hand, that the trend would continue to be that of wages chasing mounting costs. When, the Chief Justice (Sir Michael Myers) was summing up, he remarked that no doubt the high wage the deceased had been earning was due partly, if not entirely, to war conditions, plus the high prices of commodities. Those high prices were very largely due to the existence of war conditions. “Well,” his Honor said, “those war conditions cannot last for ever, nor can the high prices of commodities last for ever; at least, you will share with me the hope that they will not, so that I suggest to you that you should not estimate the plaintiff’s loss on the basis of the present high prices or of the high wages.”