NEWS OF THE DAY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25303, 13 August 1943, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY

“ TT does not appear practicable under A the rationing scheme to make special provision for a supply of pyjamas for invalids, but the rationing controller will make arrangements for supplies in any cases of hardship which may be brought to his notice,” said the Minister of Supply and Munitions, Mr D. G. Sullivan, in a written reply in the House of Representatives yesterday to a question asked by Mr T. H. McCombs (Govt., Lyttelton). The Minister said the shortage of pyjamas had arisen from difficulties experienced in procuring the necessary cotton materials from overseas, combined with the man-power problem which had arisen from the heavy military production in the clothing factories. Fortunately the deliveries of materials had been better recently and several factories would be in a position to manufacture increased quantities. School Leaving Age After a brief reply by the Minister of Education. Mr H. G. R. Mason, the Education Amendment Bill, which raises the school leaving age from 14 to 15 years, was read a second time in the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon.

Seal at Dunedin Wharves Seals, which are reported to be increasing in numbers on the southern coasts of New Zealand, have not infrequently been seen on the Otago coast recently. One ventured as far as the Dunedin wharves yesterday, and was seen in the evening on the ramp at the Otago Rowing Club’s shed.

A Generous Gift The announcement is made in the annual report of the Dunedin branch of the Plunket Society that a friend of the society has presented a building in Albany street to be used as the permanent rooms and offices of the branch. The report expresses appreciation of the generosity of the donor, who desires to remain anonymous, and points out that the gift forms a striking recognition of the value of the work of the society. Rehabilitation Centre The site for the rehabilitation buildings on Harbour Board land has now been cleared and levelled. The Commissioner of Works (Mr James Fletcher) said yesterday that work on the buildings would be commenced on Monday, and it was expected that they would be ready for handing over to the Disabled Servicemen’s Re-estab-lishment League at the beginning of December.

Bequests of £SOOO Under the will of Mr Malcolm Ferguson, whose death occurred at Tapanui early this month, the following bequests have been made:—'Tapanui Cottage Hospital,.'£looo; the Presbyterian Social Service Association, Dunedin, £2000; and the Otago Early Settlers’ Association, £IOOO. The sum of £IOOO has also been left in trust for the upkeep of the Tapanui Cemetery, the interest to be expended for that purpose. Homeless. Chinese Children The contributions from Dunedin to the support of Chinese children who have been rendered homeless by the Japanese invasion of China, now amounts to £1124 11s 4d. The Mayor (Mr A. H. Allen) has received a letter from Mr Wang Feng, Consul-general in New Zealand of the Republic of China, expressing his heartfelt thanks for the practical sympathy of the citizens of Dunedin for the innocent sufferers. New Massage Block

The Otago Hospital Board, at a special meeting yesterday afternoon, met the Commissioner of Works, Mr James Fletcher, to discuss with him the' method by which the board’s new massage block is to be erected. In committee Mr Fletcher explained the differences between erecting the buildings by tender contract and by the schedule scheme, and after a brief discussion the board decided to adopt the schedule method.

Effort to Meet Labour Shortage “There is a serious shortage of skilled labour for ship repair work, minesweeper construction; and other essential works,” said the district manpower officer (Mr E. A. Selman) yesterday. The Government, he added, had agreed to permit men who were home on furlough to accept such employment. Tradesmen, particularly those with experience in engineering, such as boilermakers,. welders, fitters, .turners, and plumbers, who were willing' to accept employment on urgent war work, were asked to get in touch with the National Service Department. Post-war Aviation

The value of the development of air routes in bringing Great Britain into closer communication with the dominions (states a Press Association message) was referred to last night by Sir Fergus McMaster, chairman of| Qantas Empire Airways and a director of Tasman Empire Airways, who has arrived at Auckland. He is accompanied by Mr A. E. Rudder, vicechairman of Qantas Empire Airways and vice-chairman of Tasman Empire Airways, and Captain E. C. Johnston, Assistant Director-general of Civil Aviation in Australia. Speaking of British, Australian and New Zealand services, Sir Fergus said the objective should be for the greater development of air routes of particular interest to that group, not as a monopoly or for competition, but because it was in the interests of the Empire that those routes should be developed. “If Britain is going to hold her position in trade and commerce with the dominions, she must be brought into closer communication by the air,” he said. “We can visualise an Auckland-Sydney-London service on a three or four-day schedule.”