NEWS OF THE DAY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26026, 14 December 1945, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY

Outside Dictation What he described as “ the overwhelming power of outside dictation of the parliamentary system,” was mentioned bv the Leader of the Opposition (Mr S. G. Holland) in an address to National Party workers in Christchurch on the recent session of Parliament. Mr Holland said that during the session there had been the spectacle of the Minister of Finance, Mr W- Nash, supporting the Bank of New Zealand Bill, which he had publicly declared was not in the best interests of the country. “There has grown up an outside power which is superior to the will of the people,” added Mr Holland- “It has the power to direct the Government to do 'things it does not want to do. It is the very negation of democracy that there should be any influence outside Parliament to direct Ihe democratically-elected fiovernment of the country to do things that are against the best interests of the country.” New City Highway At the monthly meeting of the Wakari-Kaikorai Improvement Society the following resolution was carried unanimously:—“ That this society is wholeheartedly in favour of the proposed new highway, which it considers a very progressive step in the best interests of the City of Dunedin, and also of great benefit to this district.” Roads with Tljree Names “There are roads in Waveriey with three different names,” said Cr W. V. Sturmer at the monthly meeting of the Peninsula County Council yesterday. In a letter to the council the Waveriey Ratepayers and Householders’ Association referred to Scott street, mention of which drew the comment from the county foreman, Mr S. McCraw, that he thought Scott street went by another name. Cr Sturmer further remarked that there were at least three different road maps of Waveriey. Refresher Course for Dental Officers A further three weeks’ refresher course at the Otago Dental School for the benefit of demobilised dental officers is being considered by the Rehabilitation Board, says a statement from the department. A similar course was held last May, and proved very successful and the date for the second course has been tentatively fixed for May, 1946. The fees for the course, together with- subsistence allowance, are met by the board. At present the services are communicating’ with dental officers who may wish to take the course. Applications must be made through the district rehabilitation offices by the end of January. Parcels for Greece

The resumption of a restricted parcel post to Greece was announced yesterday by the Acting Postmaster-general, Mr F. Jones. The maximum weight of any one gift parcel (states a Press Association message from Wellington) is 51b, the contents being restricted to clothing and non-perishable foods. Parcels must be well packed and effectively protected against damage, and only one each month from one sender to the same addressee may be sent. The Minister added that it would be necessary for the senders to indicate on the Customs declaration and also on the cover of the parcels the province in which the post office of destination is situated. Training of Disabled Servicemen The Rehabilitation Board has decided to extend eligibility for subsidised training at the centres of the Disabled Servicemen’s Re-establish-ment League to ex-members of the 2nd N.Z.E.F. who have suffered a high degree of injury or illness since their discharge, says a statement from the Rehabilitation Department. Men m this category who break down in health following an illness or accident not accepted by the Pensions Department as being due to war service can now apply to enter the training centres. The extent of their disability must be certified as 40 per cent., although in suitable cases where the disability is not so high special consideration will be given. Union Counter-measures If the farmers’ withdrawal of support from the Bank of New Zealand is carried far, then trade unions will be ready with counter moves, said union officials who were interviewed in Wellington. Opposition to the Government’s recent legislation was anticipated at the annual conference of the New Zealand Federation of Labour, and approval was given then to proposals for action against persons or firms withdrawing their support from the Bank of New Zealand, they said. One proposal approved was that union members should refuse to patronise any company or any retailer who had withdrawn his account from the bank with the intention of embarrassing the Government. It was also recommended that if necessary all bodies affiliated to the New Zealand Federation of Labour should transfer their accounts to the Bank of New Zealand. Highway Centre Lines The white centre lines for the guidance and protection of motorists on the Main South road are at present being renewed, and complaints have been made by the Public Works Department that many motorists through thoughtlessness or carelessness are hampering the work by driving over the newly-painted lines before they have had time to dry. Even within sight of work parties many drivers ignore the wet paint and put the department to the trouble and expense of having to go over the job a second time. Apart from the fact that driving in the centre of the road is an offence against the traffic regulations, it is considered that motorists should be more careful of their own interests, and of their tyres. Another point which the departmental officials make in the same connection is that a great many drivers appear to have forgotten that it is an offence to overtake other traffic at points on the road where double white lines have been laid down.

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