NEWS OF THE DAY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25676, 26 October 1944, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY

BRITAIN’S airliners of the future are taking shape. The British aircraft industry, which during the war has stepped up production despite bombing, “ blackout,” dispersal of plant, and many other difficulties, to a figure equivalent to 5000 planes a month delivered in fighting trim to battle fronts scattered all over the world, is thinking ahead to the needs of civil air transport. While working with undiminished energy to meet every requirement of the war in the air, British engineers who have kept the R.A.F. and the Fleet Air Arm in the van of technical progress, are designing new types of British transport aircraft. Some are on the drawing board, some nearing flight, while one or two types have already taken the air. Greater safety, increased comfort, and higher speeds are the main factors which will be achieved as a, result of experience gained in the war. Amazing developments in radio have been revolutionary. Navigation dangers due to icing when flying at high altitudes have been overcome, and airconditioned pressure cabins will ensure perfect comfort for passengers regardless of altitude or speed. Busy Doctors “ I have seen doctors with telephones on the meal table, eating and answering calls at the same time," said Dr G. M. Tothill, superintendent of the Kingseat Mental Hospital, who drew attention to the shortage of medical men at mental institutions, when giving evidence before the Auckand Man-power (Industrial) Committee. ‘‘Some lawyers have to do that, too,” interjected Mr I. J. Goldstine, who appeared in the same case,

Fighter Squadron’s Appreciation The chairman of the Otago Provincial Patriotic Council (Mr D. C. Cameron) has,received the following message from Pilot Officer A. S. Mills, of the 22nd Fighter Squadron of the R.N.Z.A.F.:—“ On behalf of the pilots of the 22nd Fighter Squadron, now on operations in the Pacific, I wish to thank you and your organisation sincerely for the patriotic parcels we have received. We found the contents most acceptable and most enjoyable. Our congratulations are extended to you for the good work your people are doing.” Municipal Organ Recital

An interesting programme of organ music will be presented by C. R. Spackman, guest organist, on Sunday evening next in the Town Hall, when the following compositions will be performed:—“ Grand Choeur” (Salome), “Dorn Roslein ” (Danileff), “Echo Rustique’’ (Rebikoff), “Coronach” (Barrett), “Evensong" (Easthope Martin), "Am Meere" (Schubert), “Salut d’Amour” (Elgar), “Andante Cantabile ” from string quartet (Tchaikowsky), “Finale” (Lemmens). Mr Spackman will be assisted by Miss Doris Wilson, who will sing “ Devotion ” (Richard Strauss) ana “Beloved" (Michael Head). In addition, the Anderson’s Bay Presbyterian Bible Class Choir, under the conductorship of 'Mr Colville Angus, will sing the hymn “ Praise My Soul the King of Heaven ” and a part song, “Annie Laurie,” both arranged by Dr T. Vernon Griffiths. There will be no charge for admission. Hospitality Appreciated

“ In the name of the National Council of Women of New Zealand may I offer you our deepest gratitude for the wonderful hospitality we received during our stay in your beautiful city,” states Miss M. G. Havelaar, Dominion president of the council, in a letter which has been received by the Mayor, Mr D. C. Cameron. “ I can assure you that Dunedin will stand very high in the estimation of every delegate to our conference, and, as you know, they came from all over the country. We have also appreciated the generous way in which the press of Dunedin reported our deliberations; we felt there was very real interest in the questions we discussed and which, many of them, related to the life of the community in general. Altogether our Dunedin conference will be remembered by us all irt the pleasantest way, and to you, Mr Mayor, we would express our most sincere thanks, and through you to the people of Dunedin.” A Hated Word

“ There is a growing fear in the community that the man-power regulations will continue in force after the war is over as part of a policy of industrial reorganisation, rehabilitation, and control,” says the New Zealand Draper and Allied Retailer, in an editorial in its latest issue. “There is no word more hated by New Zealanders than ‘ control,’ ” continues the article. “To the Government it may signify a process of orderly, rational regulation, but to the people it smacks of chains, the slave-driver’s whip, and ruthless disregard for individual feelings, prejudices, or inclinations. It is the negation of freedom, individual or collective. Efficiently administered, a system of controls may prove profitable, and there are many arguments that can be advanced in support of such a system. The present system tends more and more towards controls—but it has yet to be proved that it tends more towards efficiency. The human factor is, in most cases, the determining factor.” Teachers’ Salaries

When asked to comment on the press statement that indignation was expressed at a meeting of teachers in the Te Puke district at the fact that junior certificated teachers earned a salary of less than £3 a week, the secretary of the Otago Education Board (Mr G. W. Carrington) said yesterday that the minimum salary, with costrofliving bcnus, was £lßl per annum. Trainees in tlieir third year of training as probationary assistants were also paid at the rate of £lßl per annum. For the most part these were young people of 19 or 20 years of age. The minimum salary, with cost-of-liv-ing bonus, of a certificated female assistant was £196 per annum, and in a school approved for country allowance it was £226 per annum. A male assistant received an additional £2O. The minimum salary of a sole teacher, male or female, was £226, a married male receiving an additional £SO. These positions were available for certificated teachers on completion of their probationary assistant year, Mr Carrington added, and many young teachers of 20 and 21 years of age willing to teach in the country, were earning these salaries. Until they secured a permanent position, certificated teachers received a minimum relieving salary of £lßl with an additional £3O should they require to live away from home.