NEWS IN BRIEF

Opunake Times, 12 June 1931, Page 3

NEWS IN BRIEF

The search in New Guinea for the aviator Trist, who was forced down in the jungle on May 22, has proved unavailing. * * * * The condition of the spring wheat in Canada at May 31 was the lowest jn the records of the Bureau of Statistics, dating back to 1909. * * * « The postponement of the Imperial economic conference at Ottawa until next year was announced by the secretary for tlie Dominions, Mr. J. H. Thomas, in the House of Commons. * « * * Systematic smuggling of cocaine and morphine from Germany amounting to £1.500,000 has been disclosed by the arrest at Osaka of a Japanese in collusion with a Customs employee. * * * * Auslebrook and Co., Christchurch, was fined £5 by the magistrate, Mr. H. P. La wry, on a charge heard on May 13 of sending a letter for hire or reward, otherwise than by the post, contrary to the Post and Telegraph Act. * # * * The “Back to the Land” movement initiated by the Minister of Immigration and Colonisation, Mr. Gordon, has succeeded in placing 7600 unemployed single men on farms in Canada to the end of last month, in addition to 1800 familes, which have been placed on selected farms *■* * « The King has sent through the Secretary for Air a congratulatory message to Captain C-. W. A. Scott on breaking the record by his flight from, Australia to England. His Majesty sent a similar message to Captain Scott when the airman reached Australia in record flying time. * * * * Air. E. McKenzie (Wairarapa) and All - . A. McDonald (Otago) were appointed by the New Zealand Rugby Union as sole selectors for the North Island and South Island teams respectively and jointly as selectors for the New Zealand representative team to play Australia at Auckland on August 12th. * * * « Returned Soldiers’ Associations throughout the Dominion has been advised that all economic pensions payable to ex-soldiers are being reduced by 10 per cent, from June 1. The reduction does not apply to pensions granted for physical disablement or to dependants of ex-soldiers or to old-age and other pensions.