NEWS OF THE DAY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27093, 30 May 1949, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY

Out of the Window “If ever democracy was booted out of the window, it was booted out then.” This was the comment of Mr W. B. Richards, president of the Dunedin branch of the New Zealand Tramways Union, to a special meeting bf the union yesterday, on how the Federation of Labour decided to disaffiliate from the World Federation of Trade Unions. “It took the federation about two years and £IOOO to become affiliated and seven minutes to disaffiliate,” he added. Immediately after the motion seeking disaffiliation had been submitted, a delegate had moved that the motion be put to the meeting, with the result that there was no discussion on it, Mr Richards said Car Conversion Rife A total of 50 motor cars has been converted in the Auckland area during the past six weeks. Only one has not yet been recovered, but most of the cars have been returned to their owners in a damaged condition with fittings and accessories stolen, The majority of the cars have been converted in daylight from city streets. Funds for Lepers The 1948 appeal for \the lepers and sufferers from tropical diseases in the South Pacific realised the sum of £27,846. of which allocations amounting to £23,000 have been made. In addition, 103 cases of Useful gifts of an estimated value of £IO3O have been collected, packed and shipped do the Islands.

Rabbit Poisoning By Air Satisfactory results in spreading poison for rabbits from an aircraft have been obtained by the Upper Waihao Rabbit Board in the Waimate district. The over-all cost is stated to be about half that of carrying out the work by manual labour, apart from the problem presented by difficult terrain.

Population Gain New Zealand’s population increase in 1947-48 owed something to immigration, according to statistics issued by the Census and Statistics Department. Passenger arrivals during the year were 33,144, and departures 27,388. Dealing with immigrants expecting to be permanent residents, the population gain was 3879, compared with 2055 the previous year.

Only Two Punctures Of about 50 cars taking part in the motor rally for the Sundstrum Cup on Saturday, only two received punctured tyres. The two cars were both patrol vehicles of the Automobile Association (Otago) whose function was to shepherd the 46 competing cars over the 140 mile route through Central Otago and assist them to cope with any difficulties. No Ambulance “ Wot—no ambulance? ” was probably the reaction of most of the 3000 spectators at the Pirates-Dunedin Rugby game at Carisbrook on Saturday when there was no response to the referee’s whistled appeal for assistance for an injured player. No ambulance men were on the ground, and finally a medical man, a prominent member of the Otago Rugby Football Union, hurried to the scene. There were several other stoppages for injury, but for once the ambulance men failed to put in an appearance. New Zealand Made Goodo " From a cursory examination, I found that values in goods offered in New Zealand are better#than in Australia, irrespective of the fact that some of the Australian-made goods are cheaper than ours,” said Mr S. B. Jacobs, Dominion president of the New Zealand Junior Chamber of Commerce on his return. “For example, you can buy a frock in Australia for £4, but the material is very shoddy. Taking quality into account. New Zealand-made goods offer better value,” he said. Sunday Transport

“In the North Island, you can get anywhere by services on Sundays. Why should we not have the same facilities in the South Island? ’’ asked Mr H. S. J. Mitchell (Blenheim) at the meeting of the executive of the South Island Local Bodies’ Association in Christchurch. The executive endorsed the action of the secretary in giving evidence supporting an application for a bus service between Christchurch and Hokitika. A Southland delegate said that a daily train service between Christchurch and Invercargill was needed.

Control of Radio The control and ownership of radio broadcasting services in New Zealand by licensed radio listeners through their own democratically-elected organisation is- proposed in a notice of motion from Golden Bay which will be discussed at the annual conference of the South Canterbury Provincial Executive of Federated Farmers this week. The conversion of Federated Farmers into a compulsory industrial union and the holding of a referendum on the question of compulsory membership of the organisation will also be discussed.

Disappearing Ink Many little table delicacies and popular household items have been forced off the New Zealand market through the operation of the Price Tribunal in refusing to permit manufacturers and packers to sell at a price which they consider will return an adequate profit. The latest item affected is writing ink. Repeated applications to the Price Tribunal for a margin to cover costs have not proved successful, and now the makers have announced the withdrawal from the market of the popularly-sized packs in bottles up to 4oz. Proud of it! During the hearing of a case in the Christchurch Magistrate’s Court, in which a car driver was charged with exceeding the speed limit, the inspector’s evidence revealed that when the driver concerned had been approached he had proffered the excuse that he was late for a tennis match. When informed that he had been travelling at 48 miles an hour, the offender expressed pleasure that his car could travel at that speed. “ This will be the least pleasurable part,” said the magistrate when he imposed a fine of £3.

Powers of Expulsion “ Is it competent for a Returned Services’ Association to expel a man for political beliefs?” asked Mr J. M. Mackay at the annual meeting of the South Canterbury Returned Services’ Association on Thursday night, referring to the expulsion of a member for Communist sympathies by the Northern Wairoa Association.. “ I feel this business may be the thin edge of the wedge and I am chary about letting it interfere with our constitution.” The retiring president, Mr D. J. Mcßeath. said he had ruled before that Communism was not a political matter but a disease which the Returned Services’ Association had to do everything possible to oust.