NEWS OF THE DAY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25563, 16 June 1944, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY

A CCORDING to reports received by -*t- the secretary of the Dunedin Manufacturers’ Association (Mr F. L. Hitchens), there was no diminution in May of the losses resulting from the pillaging of goods in transit to and from Dunedin. Mr Hitchens said that so far as the port of Dunedin was concerned, there was an absence of complaints of losses from the wharves. A considerable quantity of knitting wool and cotton piece goods had disappeared at northern ports while in transit, however, ’and biscuit, and confectionery manufacturers had suffered their regular monthly losses, about 500 cakes of chocolate having been stolen. “ Manufacturers are of opinion that a tightening of the control on the wharves at northern ports is long overdue,” Mr Hitchens added. “ The thefts are not extensive at any one time as a rule, but they are steady, and the loss to manufacturers is considerable when it is spread over a period.” Clothing and foodstuffs were the main items attracting the attention of pillagers. The Lost Fishermen

In connection with the criticism of the harbour authorities in the South Island for not sending to the aid of the two fishermen from Port Chalmers who lost their lives in last week’s storm, the chairman of the Otago Harbour Board informs us that it could not send its tug as it was out of commission and it was impossible to get steam up on it.

Sale of Dextrose According to an announcement by the Minister of Supply, Mr D. G. Sullivan, last night, the control of the sale of dextrose has been lifted. The Minister said that the restrictions were originally imposed to conserve the stocks of the commodity, but the stocks had now improved sufficiently to permit the lifting of the restrictions. Search by Detectives

Detectives conducted a search of a private home in the north end of the city on Wednesday, and it is understood that they recovered a large number of articles believed to be connected with a series of thefts committed recently in the city and outlying townships. It is understood that as a result of the search two men will be charged with theft. Industrial Fair Planned

- Arrangements for an Otago and Southland Industrial Fair, either in October or November, have been completed by the Publicity and Development Committee of the Dunedin Manufacturers’ Association. An exhibition of this type was last held' in 1933, but it was then confined to Dunedin manufacturers. The exhibition will consist of all types of industrial productions and will incorporate many working exhibits. Inquiry Into Soldiers’ Voting “ Why shouldn’t you know what evidence is given? ” asked the Leader of the Opposition (Mr S. G. Holland), when he told a meeting in Christchurch that the efforts of the National Party to have the inquiry into service voting held in public had failed. “They are your soldiers,” he went on. “Why the secrecy? It is not a question of military security. How many things have been done in the name of security! ” Mr Holland said he had been able to supply proof of instances where National Party election information ,had not reached troops. Faith in R.S.A.

“ It is most interesting lo see so much evidence of the faith which servicemen overseas are showing in the Returned Services’ Association, but it is rather disconcerting to realise to what extent this faith is being expressed,” remarked the president of the Dunedin R.S.A. (Mr D. Forsyth) at a meeting of the executive committee of the association last night. ■ Mr Forsyth was commenting on two letters which had been received from overseas servicemen, both of whom spoke of the degree to which servicemen were looking to the R.S.A. to watch their interests

International Monetary Conference The international monetary conference to be held this year was mentioned by the Leader of the Opposition (Mr S. G. Holland) in an address at Christchurch.' Mr Holland said they had no wish to return to a financial system that made a god of money. A Chancellor of the Exchequer had said that the-financial system must serve the people and that never again must 'he people be the slaves of the system. Yet representatives of 34 nations had agreed in principle to a basis of the financial system which would make gold the basis of world economy. Fewer Property Sales The deputy-registrar of the Otago Land Sales Court, Mr W. T. Spelman, told a Daily Times reporter yesterday that there had been a decline of approximately 25 per cent, in the number of applications received fpr the approval of city and urban property transactions in the past three weeks, compared with the number in similar periods earlier in the year. There was still a steady sale of farm properties, though there was a decided drop in the number of applications dealt with by the Otago Land Board this week. Most of the applications before the Land Board, however, were for leases.