NEWS OF THE DAY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25561, 14 June 1944, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY

■jVfANY people at the present time IM- tend to speak or write of science with a capital *“ S ” said Dr R. S. Allan at the Open Forum at Canterbury College recently. They say, “Science teaches . . ~” “ Science believes . . and, worst of all, “ Science proves . . “These people,” said Dr Allen, “forget or do not realise that there are no creeds or dogmas which may be labelled ‘ Science.’ In essence, science is compounded of a series of hypotheses which have not yet been falsified, so that it is constantly in a state of flux and growth. This is most confusing and bewildering to those whose minds are conservative or reactionary, but it is the strength and the glory of the scientific spirit.”

Dentists’ Petrol Licences Several Auckland dentists have had their petrol licences of four gallons a month for large cars and two gallons for small cars cancelled by the Oil Fuel Controller. A review of all petrol licences is at present being conducted in Auckland. Dentists were allowed the extra petrol for calls they might have to make in connection with their businesses- and emergency visits to patients. Starvation Wages

“ Is it correct that she has been getting starvation wages? ” asked Mr E. C. Levvey, S.M., of Mr J. K. Moloney, who appeared for a girl charged with theft in the Christchurch Magistrate’s Court. Mr Moloney said it was true. “ But she has been directed to this institution,” said the magistrate. “ Surely the man-power authorities do not expect a girl to live on these wages? ” “Itis a man-power direction, but these are not always satisfactory,” Mr Moloney replied. The magistrate said that Mr Moloney was putting it very mildly.

South Island News for Overseas

The request of the South Island local bodies’ executive that a greater proportion of South Island news should be included in overseas news broadcasts and in the news published in soldiers’ overseas news sheets has been referred to the Director of Publicity. Mr J. T. Paul. Advice to this effect has been received by the Mayor of Christchurch (Mr E. H. Andrews) from the Director of Broadcasting (Professor J. Shelley). “These bulletins are prepared by the Director of Publicity, to whom we are referring your letter for consideration, with a request that any reply be sent direct to you,” states the letter. Gumboots Released

Releases of gumboots in the Dominion have totalled 35,287 pairs. Of this number, 33,000 pairs have gone to dairy farms, nearly 2000 pairs to dairy factory workers, and 234 pairs to other farmers. About 18,000 pairs have yet to be released, while another shipment of 10,000 pairs is expected from the United States. New Zealand production has reached 2000 pairs a week, all of which are being sent to the North Island. Reference to the difficulties of distribution was made at a meeting of the Auckland District Council of Primary Production. Members said the methods were not all satisfactory, and there had been some disappointment. Faraday’s Reply When discussing the length of time which almost invariably elapses between any technological advance and its subsequent application to society, Dr R. S. Allan told the Open Forum at Canterbury College the story of one of Faraday’s experiments with electricity. Before a distinguished audience at the Royal Institute in London, Faraday experimented with a magnet and a coil of wire, in which a slight current of electricity was produced. A woman asked afterwards, “But, Professor Faraday, even if the effect you explained is obtained, what is the use of it?” Faraday's memorable reply, said Dr Allan, was, “Madam, will you tell me the use of a new-born child? ”

Economic Trolley Buses Since four trolley buses were first used as an experiment in Auckland five years ago no electrical faults have developed in the vehicles and only maintenance work and ordinary runnings repairs have been necessary. This was stated in a report to the Auckland Transport Board at a recent meeting. In addition, most of the tyres now in use are the original ones. These facts (states the New Zealand Herald) provide a practical example of the economy of the service which the board proposes to adopt after the war. The buses it' is intended to use will be lighter than those now in service, but will be six feet longer and will provide accommodation for 46 passengers, compared with 30 at present.

Hotel Standards Because of war-time difficulties a relaxation of the provisions of the Licensing Act, 1908, regarding the standard and maintenance of licensed premises has been allowed by a new emergency regulation brought down by Order-in-Council on May 31. The regulation states that the provisions of the Act, relating to the standard required for licensed premises and their maintenance at that standard, shall not apply to prevent the granting of a renewal or of a new licence where the Licensing Committee is satisfied that failure to re-erect or repair premises not up to the required standard, or not containing the required accommodation, and to maintain them at the required standard, is due to conditions directly or indirectly caused by the present war.

“ Mining ” the Land “Some of the big runs in the back country have been reduced to such an uneconomic state in producing thousands of sheep and tons of wool that returns are now hardly sufficient to pay mustering expenses,” said Mr W. H. Orbell (representing the Sheepowners’ Federation) at the annual conference of the South Canterbury Farmers’ Union. Mr Orbell was discussing the rating powers of the recently-constituted catchment boards. He said that the riches that had been taken off the land had contributed to making the cities prosperous. For that reason the cities and towns should contribute something towards checking erosion and restoring some of the fertility to the soil. “We have all been living off the soil,” he said. “We have mined and mined the land for years, and we have put nothing back.” “ Confidential ” Mania

“The position will go on for ever unless something is done.” said a member of the Auckland District Council of Primary Production when referring to the numbers of departmental letters marked “ cpnfidential ” and dealing with subject's which it was considered essential should be bi’ought under the wide notice of farmers and the public if efficient work was to be accomplished. In the agenda for the meeting some of the subjects on which “ confidential ” letters were received were shortage of dog chains, disc ploughs, rural housing, and rationing. In view of the statement of the Minister of Agriculture, Mr B. Roberts, that he would support greater publicity for the activities of the councils, members decided to draw the attention of the National Council to the fact that there was no longer need for so many letters to be marked “ confidential.”

Signing on a Sunday A judge in the Supreme Court in Wellington recently referred to the “ superstition ” that a receipt signed and dated on a Sunday would be invalid. Quite a number of people (states the New Zealand Herald) believe this to be the case, and also that a cheque dated on a Sunday is of no value. Such, however, is not the case. A will, a cheque, a receipt, or any other similar instrument dated on a Sunday is just as valid as one dated on any other day of the week. The origin of the erroneous idea is probably to be found in the fact that in the execution of certain legal processes a Sunday is regarded as a “ dies non,” which is the Latin and legal way of intimating that a Sunday is to be regarded as a day that does not count. Certain summonses may not be served on a Sunday, but it is of no use a malefactor claiming immunity from arrest on a Sunday on the ground that it is a dies non, for such is not the case as far as he is concerned.