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Otago Witness, Issue 3265, 11 October 1916, Page 3

The Bruce County Council at its meets ing last week decided to forward to tha Hon. Jame 3 Allen a resolution similar to that passed by other local bodies in thoj dominion, congratulatory of the stand taken by Mr Lloyd George (Minister of Munitions) in regard to the matter of peace. Together with this resolution, will be an expression of hope from tho people of the Bruce County through their representatives, that nc outside interference will bo tolerated _wheu tho question of peace terms comes up for consideration, and that only the Allies' representatives will dictate tho terms of peace.The Hon. Mr Allen is to bo asked to for* ward this communication to Mr Lloyd George.

In the course of a very interesting talk on "Motor Fuels," given to the Otago Institute last night, Professor Inglis expressed surprise that . more use was nob made of coal tar products in this country. The valuable spirits benzole and toluole, so much in demand in the manufacture of dyestuffs and erplo3:ves and for other chemical purposes, were simply allowed to escapeinto the air, he said. For some reason, people who manufactured gas here did nob think it worth their while to pay attention to things of that type. The products ho had named could quite easily bo removed and incidentally the tar would bo improved by their absence. They could be used herei in the motor industry or sent Home for the manufacture of explosives.

The Minister of Internal Affairs has, according to a Press Association telegram from Wellington, received a cable message from the Canadian Government stating that passports are not necessary to enable passengers from New Zealand to enter tho dominion of Canada.

A Press Association telegram from Wellington states that Mr MacDonald (Minister of Agriculture) states that, as soon as ha can spare the tiirte. Mr Brown (Director of the Fields Division) intends to visit Westland with a view to selecting a site foe the experimental farm to be established there. Later on a site for another experimental farm will be chosen in the South Island—probably in the Southland district.

The Bruce County Council intends to enforce its regulations regarding the licensing of motor vehicles, and with that end in view has decided to prosecuto driver* who are not licensed by November 1.

The following letter was received at last week's meeting of the Dunedin Presbytery from Mr Gavin M. Hamilton, private secretary to his Excellency the Governor:— " I am directed to acquaint you that tho Governor has received a despatch from tho Secretary of State for tho Colonies in which ho informs his Excellency that tho resolution passed by the Presbytery of Dunedin has been laid before the King, and that his Majesty was pleased to command that an expression of hi 3 thanks be con> veyed to tho Presbytery for their message of loyalty and congratulation." The Presbytery stood while the letter was being read, and then sang a verso of the National Anthem.

At last week's annual meeting of the Wel» lington Racing Club, the president (Mr J« B. Harcourt), in referring to patriotic donations given by racing clubs in New Zea« land, eaii (reports the Dominion) that' the Wellington Racing Club was desirous that these donations should form a common fund for the establishment of a Soldiers' and Veterans' Homo. "It is obvious," con-

tinucrl the president, " that a number, of men, without relatives, will return to New Zealand maimed invalided, and they will bo dependent on their pensions for their existence. . Such a home on .good land in a central position, say the Hutt Valley, would be an everlasting memorial of what the racing clubs had done, and would provide a permanent homo for disabled soldiers on the lines of institutions in England and elsewhere. So far, however, the suggestion has not received the support that it deserved, and for the time being, the scheme has fallen through. An effort, however, will again bo made to bring the matter before the clubs, and it is honed with better results."

The Japan Times reports that the second Commercial Commission, which will conduct investigations into the conditions of the market for Japanese goods overseas, was appointed on August 12 by the Government. It is composed of eight parties, headed by experts and secretaries in the Department of Agriculture and Commerce. Dr Yoshio Udo will conduct investigations as the head of a party in Australia and New Zealand. The University Council last week considered a breach of discipline brought before it by the Professorial Board, and, after hearing evidence and statements for over three hours, decided to rusticate the offender for six months and fine him £5.

Since the outbreak of the European war the shipyards of Japan have been working day and night, and it is expected that by the end of the year the Japanese yards will turn out three times more ships than their average bofore the war. It is not anticipated, however, that the ship building capacity of the present can be maintained after the war.

According to Home papers the barque Aiituco is to sail from Liverpool for Wellington and Dunedin wharf. This is an interesting item of news hi view of the fact that it is now many years since the line of sailing ships from Liverpool to Dunedin wharf ceased trading. The Antuco will bring general cargo.

Messrs Fletcher Bros, have been advised that their tender of £21,000 has been accepted for the erection of business premises in Queen street, Auckland, for Messrs Whitcombe and Tombs, the buildings to bo complete within 45 weeks. They have also been instructed to proceed with the erection of a marble bar in Queen street, Auckland, at a cost of £3OOO, for Messrs W. A. Cook and Son.

With the shortage of male labour bocoming more marked, there has been a tendency to employ girls to a greater extent in such occupations as the grocery trade. The Arbitration Court has decided that females employed in making up groceries from bulk into small packets for delivery over the counter or to order of customers, are 'assistants,' as defined in the award, and are therefore entitled to the wages prescribed by clause 1 of the award.'' " The work which this Department is performing now is nothing" compared with what it will have to undertake when the war comes to an end and an army of fifty or sixty thousand men becomes disbanded," said the Hon. A. L. Herdman, referring to the activities of the Returned Soldiers' Information Department. "We can cope with the work now. That is evidenced by' the circumstance that out of 5515 men who have returned (and of whom a number are not yet fit for civil employment) we have disposed of 44C4 men. But when I come to contemplate, say, 60,000 men landing in New Zealand, of which number perhaps 50 per -cent, may look to the State to find suitable employment for them, I begin to realise that the work which the department will then have to execute will be both difficult and strenuous.

From the secretary of the University of St. Andrews, Scotland, the Registrar of tho New Zealand University (Mr B. T. Norris) has received particulars of an essay competition, tho prize being £IOO, and tho subject "Prayer." Tho memorandum states: ''At this time of world tragedy tho significance of prayer in daily life is everywhere becoming more widely recognised, and it is felt that tho time may havo come for gathering together a record of the thoughts of those who have realised its meaning and power, and are willing to share their experiences with others. With this end in view, and with the object of publishing what may seem helpful, the Walker Trustees invite essays on 'Prayer: Tho meaning, tho reality, and

the power of prayer; its place and value to tho individual, to the Church, and to the State, in the everyday affairs of life, in the healing of sickness and disease, in timet* of distress and national danger, and in relation to national ideals and to world progress.' "

Some figures denoting the growth of Methodism were used by the Rev. Dr W. Morloy, in the course of a sermon at Auckland at the jubilee service of the Pitt Street Methodist Church on Sunday evening (says the New Zealand Herald). Dr Morley said that, half a century ago, there were 15 circuits throughout New Zealand, with 67 churches and 95 preaching places. The supernumerary ministers numbered 31, and the local preachers 128. There were 1800 members, and 13,000 worshippers. To-day all the numbers had been greatly increased. Thirty y c: i£§ ago, throughout the Commonwealth of Australia and in New Zealand, there had been 709 churches; there were- now 3000. Three decades ago the ministers numbered 195, whilst at the present time they totalled 900. In 1886 there wore 24,000 members of the Methodist Church, and now there were 124,000. The worshipers numbered 500,000, or one-twelfth of the population of the two countries.

A good deal of light, from a farmer's point of view, was thrown on the meat exportation question by Mr John M'Quecn at a meeting cf the Invercargill branch of the Farmers' Union the other day. Mr M'Quecn said that "there seemed to be a wrong impression among farmers. What they snould try to do was to have the prices arranged between the Imperial Government and the meat merchants. The farmers did not own the meat after it had been sold, and they had no right to have representation. The meat had been sold to the Imperial authorities, and it did not matter what happened afterwards, or whether the Imperial authorities Bold it or ate it. All that could be done in the matter up to the present had been done. The grievance was not that they were not getting a payable price for their meat, because they were, but that the farmers had made a sacrifice to prevent the people being exploited, and they had not got value for the sacrifice they had made.

Specimens of Ostrea hyotis have been forwarded to the Christchurch Museum by Mr Howard Tripp, of Timaru (says the Press). These were obtained by fishermen dredging off Timaru "in 25 fathoms. The Ostrea hyotis is a fairly large oyster, about the size of the Stewart Island variety, but not so well flavoured. It has been obtained before off New Zealand by dredging in the Marlborough Sounds in 16ft of water, though it has a fairly wide range from the Indian Ocean. The securing of these specimens goes to show what results mjght be obtained if a system of dredging was gone on with round the New Zealand coastline. The specimens secured were submitted to Mr H. Suter, the Government conchologist, for identification.

A plucky and timely rescue was effected by a resident of Millers Flat a few days ago (says the Mount Benger Mail). It' appears that the children of Mr Jas. Kerr had found their way to the bank of the Molyheux River at the rear of Mr Orr's residence, and by some means the second boy (who is barely four years old) had got into the water, and was in a bad way. On hearing the cries of the others, Mrs Orr went at once to the scene of the mishap, and found the little chap in imminent danger of being drowned. With considerable risk to herself, she at once went into the river and rescued the little fellow.

It was recently announced that the Commonwealth had prohibited the sale from wholesale houses of enemy goods after the end of September, and from retail shops after the end of November. "What has been done in New Zealand," asked a representative of the New Zealand Times of the Hon. Arthur M. Myers (Minister of Customs) "to pa-event the possible influx from Australia of tho goods referred to in the above-mentioned announcement '!" "Immediately notification of the action proposed to be taken in Australia was received," Mr Myers stated, "circular instructions were issued to collectors of Customs at all ports throughout the dominion concerning tho possibl.ty of such enemy gooda arriving from Australia on account of the prohibition of sale there, and, in consequence, a most strict and careful watch was kept by the Customs officials to detect any attempt at landing such goods in Now Zealand. Hitherto it has been possible to import German or Austrian goods which reached British possessions before the out-

break of war, but it has now been decided to prohibit such goods from any source whatsoever, whether British or otherwise, and to this end an Order-in-Council has been prepared and published by means of a Gazette Extraordinary on Septembucr 26, which provides for the prohibition of importation into New Zealand of any goods which, whether before or after the commencement of the present war, haTe been manufactured or produced in or exported from any place which, at the date of the Order-in-Council, was enemy territory. This will effectually prevent Australian houses from disposing in New Zealand of any stocks of enemy goods which they may be holding."

A Balclutha school teacher, who is a pronounced opponent of the teachers' war bonus-, handed in his bonus (£7 12s) the other day to the Clutha Leader Office, the money to be devoted towards procuring Christmas gifts for the. men at the front. Judging from a paragraph in the Mail, thero is a serioue probability of a shortage of meat in Nelson. Mr Fairey, a local butcher, informed a reporter that the position had become very serious, and would probably eventuate in a famine, so far as beef was concerned, at any rate. The supply of cattle was practically exhausted, while sheep, though still procurable, had reached a great* price, the advanco being, roughly, 50 per cent, on that ruling two years ago. The reason for tho shortage, Mr Fairey said, was the Imperial purchases for army purposes, which had depleted the New Zealand flocks and herds. Following on the drought* in Canterbury, Hawke's Bay, and the Wairarapa, which also had the effect of reducing tho number of stock, there was now more feed in thosa districts than could be fed off, and North Island buyers wero scouring the Nelson province for stock, and paying high prices.

Tlio Government has (telegraphs our correspondent) como to tho decision that the price of butter at Wellington mn6t not be raised. Tho Board of Trade has prepared details for a scheme by which a supply of butter can be conserved for the local market, but this scheme has not yet been made available for publication.

Tho members of the Oamaru Egg Circle and other residents of the district have generously decided to make a gift of about 2000 dozen eggs to assist in raising funds for the Ked Cross Society. The eggs will be transported by tho Railway Department from Oamaru to Dunedin free of charge, and will bo stored and disposed of by Tlie price of the eggs has been fixed by the donors at Is l£d per dozen.

In the report of the Auckland Women's Employment Branch of the Labour Department, published in the September Labour Journal tho following paragraph occurs:— "The special feature about the last few months' operations has been the number of olu-age pensioners who have applied for some kind of- light employment for a few hours per day, to help them to eke out a living. Many of these have only their pension to exist upon, and they find even by practising the strictest economy, with the present high cost of living, and having to pay for a room, that they are unable to exist upon 10s per week, and necessity drives them to tho departm«nt for help.. These old people arc not suitable for employment, yet their need is sincere. The department would bo p-lad of any assistance to help to solve this difficult problem."

After three years' work the final report of the appraiser of Mr J. Pierpont Morgan's estate was filed in New York in July, and shows a value of £15,629,800, which is "rather less than was generally believed. His interest in the Morgan Banking Houao is given as £5,975,100, with nearly £500.000 more added for the London firm. His art collection amounted in value to £7,274,000, and his books, manuscripts, and prints to £819,300. The net estate will amount to £13,900,000. His famous Fragonard panels are valued at £150,000, and his Chinese porcelains at £435,674-. The financier at his death had £34 cash in hand; £1728 worth of his famous black cigars, and £8948 in wines and liquors stored for use. On the basis of the report, Mr Moreran. who was believed by many to be one of the richest men in the United States, because of his financial activities, was worth less than many other wealthy men whoso estates have, been appraised. His estate is much less than that of Colonel John Jacob Astor, who had £17,062,000, and his net estate does not equal that of Mr Anthony Brady, who left £15,400,000. The estato of Mr E. H. Harrison amounted to £11.600,000. Of Mi- Pierpont Morgan's bequests. £10,736,953 goes to his son, Mr J. Pierpont Morgan. Mrs Morgan, tho widow, receives life interests in funds, furniture, and residences. William Hamilton and Herbert Sattcrlee, sons-in-law, each receive £200.000. JThrce daughters each receive trust funds of £600,000. Ihe only public bequests are £100,003 to St. George's Church, of which Mr Morgan was the senior warden: £20.000 for the New York State Protestant Episcopal Missioas; and £°20,000 to the House of Rest for Consumptives.

Not satisfied with the position of the Orcpuki shale works, representations were made to Mr J. O. Thomson, M.P., by residents, and these were in due course placed before the Minister of Mines, who, after making careful inquiries, has informed Mr Thomson as follows: —"The New Zealand Coal and Oil Company states that it has temporarily removed two out of tho five large boilers at Orepula to Kaitangata, because it could not, import boilers or have them made in Now Zealand at the present time at a reasonable price. The boilers were urgently required at Kaitangata, and no other plant, except the boiler accessories,

Lave been removed. The company keeps a man afc the works, whose whole time is devoted to keeping the plant in order. The managing director of the company emphatically denies that it intends to dismantle the works, and states that ho is confident that the company will bo able to restart the works within a reasonable time after the end of the war." On consideration of the abnormal conditions at present prevailing, the Minister has suspended the output clauses of the leases for another 12 months. In replying to a vote of thanks accorded him for a lecture to the members of tho Philosophical Institute, at Christchurch on Wednesday night. Professor T. H. Easterfield said he was tho unfortunate possessor of two patents (reports the Press). He had hawked them ur> and down Britain, but no one wanted them. Within a month of their publication, however, letters came to him from Germany showing that the people there were alive, and that they realised tha. there might bo possibilities in the patents. Tho war. however, came along, and probably ho would never get a penny or.'; of them. That was iust one case. He auoted another. He had been consulted regarding Ui& flax industry by four m©n, two of whom were Germans. The Germans consulted him because they did not want to get into trouble, the others corrsulted him because they had got into trouble.

Surprise was expressed on the 2nd by Mr .Robert Burns, of Auckland, who returned from England by the lonic, at the price being- paid to New Zealand farmers by the Imperial Government for beef (says the New Zealand Herald). Mr Burns visited several farming districts in Britain and conversed with graziers. Ho ascertained that British farmers were receiving at the rate of Is per lb dead weight on the hooks for beef, whereas the price paid to New Zealand growers was about half that amount. In Mr Burns's opinion this difference was far too great. He also heard when at Home that the Argentine beef producers were receiving a greater amount for their beef than the farmers of Australia and New Zealand. This in spite of the fact that the Imperial Government had control of practically the whole of the freezing space in the ships which could be used for conveying Argentine meat to Britain and the Continent. There had been a great decrease in stock on the Continent, but, in Britain the returns up to last December showed a slight increase. Mr Burns said he thoucrht there was bound to be a very great entry of frozen mQat into Continental countries after tho war. In conversations he had had with representatives of the Governments of, and prominent people in, Belgium and Franco, they had stated that thev would have to admit frozea moats into those countries.

At the next meeting of the Hospital and Oharitablo Aid Board Mr A. Begg will move to rescind the resolution under which a tender for the supply of fuel for the Dunedin Hospital has been recommended for acceptance. A number of old Dunedinites who now Reside in Petone entertained the Otago boys of the 18th Reinforcements on Saturday •week, and gave them a good send-off. An order granting a 10 per cent, war bonus to the Otago Metal Workers' Assistants has been filed by tho Arbitration Court, the order to come into force on the 16th inst. The court has decided not to comply with an application to add parties tengaged in horse-cover making to the Saddlers' Award. Mr J. W. Munro made a direct attack at the recruiting meeting on Saturday night on the sons of farmers for not enlisting. Ho said he wanted to stress ono matter as regarded the shortage of recruits. From information in his possession he was firmly convinced that the shirking was not taking place in tho ranks of the trades unionists or of the city workers. The shortage was to bo found amongst country workers —the farmers' sons.—(Applause.) " I want to Bay this," Mr Munro added, "that the farmers ;u-o not doing their duty in this country to-day, and I believe that this is ono of tho reasons why tho Massey Party has been so hostile to conscription. I know of farmers who havo four, five, three, iwo, six, seven sons, and not one of them has gone to tho, war or offered his services.

I say that the Government wants to get out with its compulsory Act into the country, because if there is any class which is making money out of the lives laid down and sacrificed I say it is the farming community of this country. Where, however, would they have been but for the British Navy?— under the dominion of the German tyrant. The farmers would have had their lands confiscated, and Germans would have been put in their place, and if they had asked for compensation the Germans would simply have taken them out, put them up against a wall, and shoot them. Farmers should send every son to the front —it is they who are reaping the benefit; it is they who are going to continue reaping the benefit. I say that the Government will have as a first duty to call on these country men to go out and fight for the British Empire."

The paragraph which appeared in a southern paper with regard to the formation of a branch of an Australian Timber Company at Mussel Beach (Southland) is, the Christchurch Press learns, quite incorrect. Tho facts are that the Marlborough Timber Company, of Christchurch, with its present mills at Nydia Bay, Pelorus Sound, is now extending its operations, and has taken up a tract of timber facing Te WaeWae Bay, 50 miles west of Bluff. It is proposed to erect a wharf, while a small breakwater may also bo necessary. The timber area is reported to contain excellent milling timber, principally rimu and Southland beech, with a fair sprinkling of totara.

Tho Hon. Mr Russell explained at Gisborne on the 3rd inst., the Government's scheme of advances to discharged soldiers, stating that £IOO,OOO had been set aside by the Government for tho assistance of returned soldiers (reports the Times). It was provided that a moximum of £SOO should be granted to each man, but it could not be advanced in one lot. Progress payments could be made to the soldier for building, draining, bushfelling, etc., up t 0.75 per cent, of the work done, with extra allowance for the soldier's labour. In order that seeds on-] material could be obtained at the cheapest rate, tenders would be called in each district. Stock could bo obtained, the Government taking a bill of sale over the stock and paying the vendor in cash. Advances could also bo made for tools, etc. That scheme was in operation in other districts. As soon as the £IOO,OOO had been exhausted, another sum would be provided. The Government did not want to shun its responsibilities, but the committee might well supplement the Government's efforts.