NEWS OF THE DAY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26028, 17 December 1945, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY

Police Meet Mr Fraser A deputation from the New Zealand Police Association, met the Prime Minister, Mr P. Fraser, on Saturday. The interview (states a Press Association message from Wellington) was reported to have been amicable. The Commissioner of Police, Mr J. Cummings, was also present. Large Shipment of Produce One of the largest shipments of produce to be taken from New Zealand for some time will be carried by the New Zealand Shipping Company’s Hororata when she leaves Auckland for the United Kingdom to-morrow morning. Her refrigerated holds will be filled with 170,000 boxes of butter and 40,000 crates of cheese. In New Zealand currency the dairy produce cargo is worth approximately £1,150,000. In addition a small quantity of general cargo, including wool, is being loaded. Holiday Traffic Dangers Mr J. S. Hawkes, of Christchurch, who represents the South Island motorists upon the New Zealand Road Safety Council has issued an appeal to all drivers to exercise the greatest care during the holiday season. “It will no longer be reasonably safe to assume that there is nobody else on the road,” declared Mr Hawkes. “The practice of cutting corners on blind bends is fraught with danger. * Keep to the left ’ should be every driver’s first care. To keep the speed down, particularly where tyres are at all doubtful, and to take special care at intersections are most important safety rules. If these precautions are strictly observed motoring throughout the holidays should be pleasant and safe.’ “ Lavish Dietary ” Concern that New Zealand should have such a “ lavish dietary ’’ while Britain was suffering from serious undernourishment was expressed at a meeting of the Christchurch Presbytery. The following motion was carried unanimously:—“-That the General Assembly’s Public Questions Committee be asked to call upon the Government and urge that: (1) The Government stop the importation of wheat which would otherwise go to Europe. (2) New Zealand rations of butter and meat be reduced. (3) Cheese be rationed. (4) The Government take steps to re-establish the production and consumption of farm butter in order to release more factory butter for export.” Closing of Mental Hospital Though a definite decision has not yet been reached, it is very likely that the mental hospital at the Chateau Tongariro will be closed down before long and its patients transferred to the Ravensthorpe Home near Auckland. This was disclosed (says a Press Association telegram) by the Directorgeneral of Mental Hospitals (Dr T. G. Gray) at the Chateau on Saturday night. Dr Gray said the removal of the patients from the Chateau was being considered and would be effected at the earliest possible moment. The authorities had never considered the Chateau to be suitable for a permanent mental hospital, and it had always been intended to remove the patients as soon as suitable alternative accommodation was available. The Chateau has been used as a mental hospital sincq October, 1942. Pillaging Continues The continued prevalence of pillaging, particularly of goods between Wellington and Christchurch, was mentioned by the secretary of the Canterbury Manufacturers’ Association (Mr R. T. Alston). Last week, he said, the theft of corsets was reported, and since then three other cases had been brought to the notice of the association. Three cases of apple wine were broached and 21 bottles taken. One case of a dozen bottles was empty. Six bottles were taken from a second case, and three from a third. In all cases the lids had been smashed open. Cigarette tobacco valued at £4 19s was stolen from another inter-island consignment. These cases were double wired. The thieves had withdrawn eight nails and slid the board back, afterwards renailing it.. The result was that the firm did not discover the loss until it was too late to file a claim. Women's handbags valued at £ls were also stolen. Enemies of Rabbits “ The position is nonsensical. We are subsidised £ for £ for the destruction of rabbits, and at the same time the Minister of Internal Affairs is offering a subsidy for the destruction of the natural enemies of the rabbits,” said Mr G. B. Baker at a meeting of the South Canterbury Council of Rabbit Boards. “ Our efforts are going in the destruction of the rabbits, and here we have a Government department subsidising the destruction of ferrets.” Mr H. J. C. Haper: “ The hawk is one of the best rabbiters that we have.” Mr Baker: “ Stoats, weasels and hawks; they are all good when the rabbits are’ down to reasonable numbers. At present rabbiters are prohibited from destroying ferrets, but many are caught in traps.” After further discussion, the following motion was passed:— “ Until rabbit boards have had the opportunity to eradicate rabbits under the direction of the new Rabbit Nuisance Act, the Department of Internal Affairs be requested not to encourage the destruction of stoats, weasels, ferrets or hawks, as these vermin are doing good work as the natural enemies of the rabbit." Critics of University •

Saying that the University authorities might learn something from the criticism of students. Mr H. A. Insull, headmaster of the Cathedral Grammar School, speaking at the annual prizegiving ceremony, expressed concern at recent developments in the administration of the University Colleges in New Zealand. “ These young people say that some classes at the University comprise as many as 200 students, and that attending a lecture is like going to the pictures,” Mr Insull said. “We have been much concerned to learn that because of the lack of accommodation, the University is to limit the numbers admitted. If it is true that every child should be entitled to an education it is wrong arbitrarily to prevent any youth from proceeding with it merely on the grounds of expediency. The policy of denying to any competent boy a University education i merely because a sufficient number of students has already been selected may be interpreted as a policy of violation of democratic rights. If accommodation is limited and there is a shortage of staff, then the Senate, possibly with State, aid, must supply accommodation and staff. This growth in the numbers seeking admission should be accepted and plans made accordingly.”

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