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Otago Witness, Issue 3276, 27 December 1916, Page 3

The directors of the New Zealand Express Company., learning that the Red Crosa Society in Dunedin desired a flag to fly during the war, and did not wish to expend! the money required for the purchase, generously presented one to the society, thus-adding another to many generous act? towards it. The President (Miss Rattray) and the secretary (Miss M'Lean) hoisted the flag to the masthead on the 18th.

Intimation has been received by Mr Lamb (secretary of the South Island Dairy Association) from tho New Zealand Overseas Shipowners' Committee to the effect that there is no prospect for any space for dairy produce this month, in view of instructions received by the committeo from the Imperial Government. Priority of shipment is Co be given to meat for tho Imperial Government. Representations regarding the position have been made to London.

A Press Association telegram from Christchurch states that the Engine-drivers, Firoa meeting on the 17th calling the attention, men, and Cleaners' Union passed motions ai of the Government to the huge profits of the producers and commercial people, and asking that the excess profits tax be further increased, also protesting against tha severity of tho sentence imposed on Robert Semplo for a first offence.'

A discussion upon the ethics of tho Horn J. T. Paul's action in signing the manifesto urging Australians to vote against compulsory service was threatened at the meeting of the Dunedin Returned Soldiers* Aseoeiation on the 18th. When general businesa was being taken a member introduced tho subject. Ho stated that, whilo ho did not approve of Mr Paul's action in signing tho manifesto, ho thought that, in a general way, Mr Paul was not so far oxit in the attitude ho had assumed with regard to compulsion. Ho thought tho Returned Soldiers' Association should pass a motion supporting Mr Paul in what ho had done and what ho was still prepared to do. He did not think they would find a better man for tho working man than Mr Paul had proved to be, and ho supposed most returned soldiers were working men. A point of order was promptly raised by a member, who reminded those present that the association was strictly non-politicaL Another member asked that tho subject might remain open

for discussion for a moment while he expressed his entire disagreement with the views of the previous speaker. He quite realised that Mr Paul had done a lot for the men, but he had dealt the Australasian colonics a cowardly blow when he s'.gnod that manifesto. As a consequence, tho Australian divisions at tho front had been reduced to four. It was a crying shame. Tho raising again of the point of order prevented any further expression of opinion. Tho action of the Sydney Returned Soldier: ' Association in promoting tho formation of a Returned Soldiers' Corps for active si -vice again was the subject of discussion at tho meeting of the Returned Soldiers' Association in Dunedin. A motion to the effect that tho formation of such a corps be approved was moved and seconded. In tho discussion that followed it was made clear that, while those present were in full sympathy with the action of the Sydney Association as an effort to counteract the effect of tk humiliating result of the referendum on tho question of compulsory service, and to siiow that there was still some of the right jpirit left in Australia, they felt that tho returned soldiers should not go to tho front again until tho whole of the men in tho First Division of the New Zealand Expeditionary Reserve has been sent. An amendment to that effect was carried unanimously. The opinion was expressed by the mover of the motion that returned soldiers should not have to go on service with conscripts.

The collection that was taken up in Port Chalmers aad the surrounding districts on Friday, 15th inst., on behalf of the Hospitals Helpers' Association resulted in raising the sum of upwards of £3l. To this amount Sawyers Bay contributed a little over £4.

A Press Association telegram states that the Palmerston North branch of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants has unanimously carried the following resolution:—"That, failing the Board of Trade effecting a reduction in the cost of living by January 20, 1917, all branches of the society be asked to support a. proposal for a further increase of wages."

Our London correspondent states that the war has opened the market for South African produco in more than one way. South African beef has been on sale in iSmithfield for some months past, and now South African butter is arriving in gradually increasing quantities; 2500 cases of butter came to hand recently, and realised 9d per lb on the British market. The Yorkshire Post states that this butter is declared by experte to be "equal to the butter regularly imported from New Zealand." Great quantities of South African eggs have also been coming to England, refrigerated, and they have realised up to 2s per dozen. After a period of very hot and dry weather welcome rain commenced (our correspondent reports) to fall at Roxburgh on Monday, 18th inst. It will do an incalculable amount of good to the whole district, which was beginning to show the effects of the- intense heat.

The opening of a new Roman Catholic Church at Teschemakers, near Oamaru, on the 17th attracted a large number, some 200 travelling by special train from Duncdin. This building, which is of ornate design, is built of Oamaru stone, with red-tiled roof, and occupies a site in close proximity to tho convent. The Macarthy family donated the property on which tho building is erected, which consisted of the original Teschemakers homestead and 50 acres of land. The homestead is used as a convent, and, in addition to the church, a commodious schoolroom has been added. Tho chapel, which wa.; officially opened, was donated by Mrs Frances Grant, of Oamaru, at a cost of £2500. The Bishop of Dunedin (Dr Verdon) blessed tho buildings, and High Mass was celebrated by Monsignor Mackay, Rev. Father O'Connell being deacon, and Rev. Father Foley sub-deacon, tho Bishop presiding. Tho occasional sermon was delivered by the Bishop of Christohurch (Dr Brodic), who preached from tho words, "A little child shall lead them." The preacher stated that in New Zealand the Catholics had the maintenance and upkeep of 200 schools to provide for out of their slender means, but Catholics were determined that their children should be taught the Christian faith, cost what it may. Tho education of their children was costing the Roman Catholics in New Zealand nearly £IOO,OOO per annum. Ho congratulated Bishop Ver-

don on having such a magnificent temple erected free of debt in his diocese. Bishop Verdon in a brief address congratulated all those responsible for the erection of the chapel and schoolroom on the culmination of their efforts, and thanked the generous donors who had contributed towards the cost of their erection. The voluntary offerings for the day amounted to approximately £250.

Two girls belonging to the George Street School brought themselves into serious trouble last week by enticing a child three years and four months of age into the bush in north George street, and there stripping her naked and leaving her, taking her clothes with them. The crying of the child attracted the attention of a girl residing in the neighbourhood, and she took the child to her home and notified the police of the incident. The child, who was obviously a bright one, was able to give a good enough account of what had happened for the perpetrators to be brought to book, and we understand that the parents administered a good thrashing to them. The ruse employed to get the child to go with them was the pretence of giving her some roses.

Mr G. Calder, speaking at the break-up of the North-East Valley School, said that after their experience of working with Mrs Begg and Mis J. Arthur on the committee, they would advise every school committee to have one or two ladies among I its members. There were lots of little things that mothers and women generally knew about children that men did not know. It was a great benefit and blessing to any school committee to have women on it. ! Orchards in the Teviot district are (our Roxburgh correspondent writes) looking exceptionally well at present. It is manj years since the trees presented the fine healthy appearance and luxuriant foliage now to be seen. The recent hot spell of weather, coming after a moist spring, has had a most beneficial' effect, and in some gardens trees that have been stunted have I burst forth with renewed vigor. The quality of fruit, judging from its present size, will reach a high standard, and the crop promises to come up to expectations. One grower has been sending early peaches away for the past fortnight, and they have been realising top prices. In the Southbridge district (says the Christchurch Press) the frosts experienced about the end of last month, have disastrously affected the wheat crops. The crops were at a critical stage of their growth when the frost attacked them, and the effect has been such that many farmers are now cutting their wheat and making ! it into hay, as there is no possibility of the ears filling out. As evidence of the severity of the frosts experienced in the district, it is reported that the young growth on the gorse hedges was bleached white as if it had been blighted.

According to the Wellington Post, it is reported that, among other unpleasant prospects for the householder in connection with the Increased cost of living, there will shortly bo a considerable advance in the price of new boots and in the cost of repairs to old ones.

Some months ago (says the Wellington Post), Messrs G. and L. Phillips, farmers, of Kaitoke, hearing thai; there was a shortage of khaki dyes, commenced experiments in a small way with a view to discovering if dyestuffd could not bn extracted from local products. They tried various weeds and New Zealand woods, and met with great success. At first their attention was devoted entirely to the search for a khaki dye, but when they found this they determined to go further and see if brighter colours could not be obtained. The result of thj-ir experiments has been the production of a wide range of colours, from pale cream to Venetian red. All the colours were obtained by a very simple process, and from woods and weeds of which the supply is unlimited. The khaki-dyed material cannot be distinguished from the standard khaki cloth at present in use. It is produced in the one colour, whereas tho present khaki is a combination of several tints. Greys, yellows, blacks, browns, of all shades, have been obtained. Messrs Phillips state that their samples have been submitted to wearing and washing tests, and have proved satisfactory. Bleaching tests have not been carried out »o. far, but ono

sample exposed to the sun for 25 days haa maintained its colour perfectly. Hitherto tho experiments have been carried out roughly, but a start is now being made to secure exact data as to the qualities and processes which give the different colours.

*' Woman is coming into her own," said the Hon. J. G. W. Aitken, in the course of an address at the break-up of the Wanganui College. "For many a long day she has been kept in tho background. You girls are going to see great changes. The j position of women in the British Empire to- l day is totally different from that when I was a boy." Ho hoped that the girls were looking forward to a lifo of work. To-day girls could find occupations in every walk of life. This war, with all its dreadfulness, was going to improve things for women. Mr Aitken gave instances of women doing just as good work as professors in the universities, and, said the speaker, after all, it is woman who is the greatest teacher of tho world. He told the girks that there was a big field in front of them for teaching. Teachers were wanted badly. He also referred to the heroism of tho women in this war —the silent heroism, as he called it. In conclusion, Mr Aitken told the girls who were leaving this term that the education they had received was only the preliminary. "Education never ceases; it goes on as long a 6 life lasts."

In responding to a toast at a returned soldiers' gathering in Masterton on Friday evening (says the x\ge), Major Clifton stated that he was not a drinking man, but his experience at Gallipoli and France had convinced him that the wet canteen was one of the first things that should have been put in at our military camps. He have gained an even better reputawas of opinion that our men would tion in Egypt had the wet canteens been part of their military training system. —(Applause.) "I am of opinion," concluded the major, "that one of the weakest spots in our training system is the dry canteen."

"During my stay at Waikato," said the Hon. G. W. Russell to a Wellington Post reporter, "I visited Te Waikato Sanatorium at Cambridge, which is entirely devoted to consumptive cases. The urgent need for making further provision for consumptive soldiers has become so clamant that largo extensions to the building at Te Waikato are now in the course of completion. A large new ward is now being furnished, and this will provide for 20 further soldier patients. A smaller building is about to be erected, and will provide for another 20, and in addition to this 10 single shelters are being erected, in order that those cases which are more suitable for individual treatment may bo provided for. The work is being proceeded with rapidly, and the intention is that consumptive soldiers not already provided with accommodation should be taken in at once. I anticipate that we shall be able to place 20 in Te Waikato at Christmas.

Tho Milford Sound track has just been opened by the guides for the present season. When the guides got through to the Sound they found that Mr and Mrs Sutherland, well known to tourists, were very ill, and had suffered severely during the months in which the accommodation house is isolated from the outside world.

A noteworthy case of individual work on behalf of our soldiers by a pupil of tho public schools was mentioned at the breakup ceremony of the George Street School last week. This was that a pupil named Jean Henderson (Fifth Standard) had made no less than 84 service bags, 72 button bags, 1 handkerchief, 3 facecloths, 1* pairs of socks, arid a pair of cuffs. The intimation was received with great applause, which was renewed later when th£ girl came up amon? tho number receiving sewing prizes.

A suggestion has been made by the secretary of the Wellington Boot Operatives' Federation (Mr J. Hutchcson) that the Board of Trade should investigate the proposed increase in tho price of boots. Mr Hutchcson told a Post reporter that ho was of opinion there was no justification for the increase. If the price of boots were raised 15 per cent, or more it would be playing into the hands of the boot importers and employing foreigners instead of our own people.

During a speech at the opening of the Napier Soldiers' Club on Saturday, Mr J. H. Coleman had some comment to make concerning criticism levelled at tho Hawke's Bay War Relief Association (says the Herald). There was no doubt, remarked Mr Coleman, that it was the duty of tho association to provide relief for returned soldiers over and above tiie pension provided by tho Government. Then there was the cry to put the soldiers on the land. As the war progressed and men returned from the front large numbers of them would want to go on the land. The speaker estimated that there would in the future be 10,000 soldiers wanting to go on the land. Jiueh soldier would have to be assisted to tho extent of £>iUOo. They would see that the Government would have to find a very large sum of money to help these men. In other directions help was needed. "We want money," declared Mr Coleman emphatically; "wo want tons of it. We will have to dig our hands deeper into our pockets. Yet you may say in your minds that 'it's all very well, Mr Coleman, but what are you going to do?' 1 will tell you what I intend doing, and it is not by way of advertisement. There are two organisations that are doing great work. I refer to tho Ked Cross Society and tha Y.M.C.A.—(Applause.) I intend giving £SO a month next year if I live to each of theso societies. —(Great applause.) There

are other things I intend doing, but I'll not tell you about them," added Mr Coleman amid cheers and laughter.

A Pices Association telegram from Wellington states that the Government Gazette oontains a notification extending the period during which bank notes are legal tender till June 30, 1917.

Some timely and commonsense remarks on the question of school prizes and the war -were made by the Chief Justice (Sir Bobert Stout) at the break-up of the Albany Street School last week. He was glad to see the prizes there, he said. Some people said Ihe children ought to give up their prizes because of the war. Children were imitative animals, and they did what older people did. If the older people would give up all idea of prizes then perhaps they might ask the children to do so. Hut he did not see much self-sacrifice among the older people. Some of them Btill smoked, and that was not necessary. Some of them still took " a dram," and that was not necessary. It was worse than prizes. Some people had sports and thought more about the money than the eport. If people wanted to see the children give up their prizes they should begin by giving up all idea of prizes and unnecessary things themselves. The best way to teach the children war to do what ought to be dono by the children, and they would follow the example.

The following resolution was passed at a meeting of the Otago General Labourers' Union on the 20th: —"That this meeting of the Otago General Labourers' Union expresses its sympathy with tho Hon. J. T. Paul in the cowardly attacks made upon him, and in the persistent efforts made to drive him off the Patriotic and Welfare Association, and furthermore expresses complete confidence in him and endorses his advocacy for national service." At a meeting of the Dunedin Presbytery on Wednesday morning, presided over by the Rev. A. M. Finlayson (in the absence of the Moderator), the ministers resolved to inform the Government respectfully that should it bo found necessary to organise all the resources of the dominion for the vigorous prosecution of the war till a righteous peace was obtained they were ready to assist without pevsonal remuneration to the utmost of their power in any direction which w r ould not unduly interfere with their spiritual ministrations to tho people. They also resolved to intimate to their brethren throughout the Church that should any of the ministers or home missionaries have to go upon active service they would be prepared to assist in supplying the pulpits thus left vacant and they recommended that sessions and congregations should facilitate arrangements being made for that purpose. The Acting Prime Minister (the Hon. J. Allen) is to receive a copy of the foregoing decisions.

A good deal of surprise was expressed in Dunedin and Port Chalmers last week when it was learned on the authority of Dr M'Nab (Minister of Marine) that the Aurora on her return to New Zealand from Ross Sea would proceed to Wellington, instead of to Port Chalmers, as has been confidently expected. It is rather difficult to understand why Wellington should have been selected, a 3 this port seems to have a prior claim on several grounds.

A very proud record of patriotic services 13 that of the family of a Taumaranui settler, who has six sons on active service —five with the New Zcalanders and one •with the Australians. The Defence Minister, hearing of the family and their good record, wrote to the father a congratulatory letter. In duo course the father acknowledged the letter with thanks, and informed Mr Allen that his only son remaining in New Zealand, his second son in age, had volunteered fir<st of all, but had been rejected because he had lost one eye. Seven sons, and all had offered their scrTices!

A full meetin- of the local committee of the 1917 National Apple Show was held on TDuesday evening, Mr Shelton, the Fruitgrowers' Federation manager, being present. Many details in connection with the eho-w were sot on foot. As time gooa (pi it become* more and more apparent that the public is to be treated to something quite phenomenal in the way of vast

displays of fruit. The fact that the net proceeds will bo handed over for patriotic purposes should in itself ensure the success of the show from a financial point of view, but apart from this the show will present many outstanding features in regard to the importance of the apple as a cheap and beneficial article of diet which must appeal to the practical householder in these times of high-priced foodstuffs. It is confidently anticipated that Apple Week in May, 1917, will remain long a pleasant memory in the hearts of young and old, and those in charge of the show feel that the general public will realise more and more the benefit of utilising our glorious fruit as a necessary article of diet instead of as a luxury.

An application under " The Family Protection Act, 1908," was mentioned at the Supremo Court, Auckland, before Mr Justice Stringer, on Saturday, 16th inst. The case was brought before the court in tho form of an originating summons whereby Leo Lilian Inder asked the court to direct that she is entitled to receive'' out of the estate of her late husband, Wm. F. Inder, solicitor, of Gore, an income sufficient for her to livo upon. When he died deceased left a will giving legacies to his child and nephews, and a number of other persons, but apparently be sought to exclude his wife from benefiting under the will by the insertion of a clause declaring that she should not participate in the estate on certain grounds set out. Mr A. L. Denniston, who appeared for the trustees, applied for an adjournment, perding the prosecution of certain inquiries. Mr R. W. M'Connell, on behalf of applicant, opposed the adjournment en tho ground that ample time had already been allowed to mako any inquiries which may have been considered necessary. His Honor, after hearing argument, made an interim order for £3 per month, and fixed tho date of tho final hearing for February 14. The question of costs was reserved.

A Press Association telegram from Greymouth states that tho coal mines are all working iull time. The output is greater than it has been for some months.

The following message from the Minister of Defence was issued with the request that the defence authorities assist in its circulation and use on Christmas morning at 8 o'clock: "To New Zealand's sons and daughters across the seas. With Christmas greetings from your countrymen, who are proud of your splendid achievement, and who aro in continual union with you in spirit and thought. Mako this union more real by joining with us, wherever you may be, at 8 o'clock on Christmas morning, by which hour every New Zealander has been invited to pray for your protection and continual success, for the restoration to health of all sick and wounded, for comfort-to those who suffer, and for your safe return home after the work you set yourselves to do has been accomplished, and a lasting and honourable peace has been won." Some rather pessimistic statements as to the dominion wheat supply were made at a meeting of the North Canterbury branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union on Wednesday, one well-known farmer hinting at a possible famine by the end of the next 12 months. Ho added that ho hoped there could be no objection to making euch statements as giving information to tho enemy.

Sugar mills at Honolulu which prior to the war were practically bankrupt are now paying dividends, according to Mr C. C. M'Millan, who returned to New Zealand by the Makura last week. The whole country has been taken up, he states, and the banana plantations are also pay'ngiiandsomely. After the war a reaction is expected, when the sugar cane again comes into competition with the beet.

J "It would surprise farmers to know what the local auctioneering* firms are making j as profit from commissions on sales," rc- | marked Mr W. L. Butler at a meeting of i farmers in Gisborne last -week (says tho I Times). "I have gone into the matter a j little," ho continued, " and on a low basis j I estimate that no less a sum than £20,000 : was mado out of the farmers at last year's ! figures. I would like on© of the firms to challenge this statement, as I can prove it up to the hilt. Why, £1250 was made at a cattle fair in two days." He added that

his calculations wore made on a moderate basis, and included sheep and cattle. "Why in face of that the farmers cannot come forward and say it must stop passes my comprehension,' he remarked. "I must say that they are absolutely blind to treir own interests. The more I look at it the more I am convinced that the farmers in Poverty Bay are losing their great opportunity. The farmers are asleep, and something must be done to awaken them from their lethargy." Mr F. Parker Smith writes in the Gardeners' Chronicle : "While travelling through New Zealand, some years ago, I noticed largo areas of phormium tenax, partly natural and partly cultivated. As the fibre 'from this plant has become a leading article of commerce, I should like to draw attention to the great possibilities there appear to bo for growing this flax in the southern English counties, and in many parts of Ireland. T have seen plants growing in isolated clumps, not in the best situations, in Ireland, Cornwall, and Merionethshire, equal to much that I saw in New Zealand. As this flax will grow on sites practically useless for ordinary crops, it should prove a very valuable industi'y if it could be developed in the British Isles." "In the light of what I saw in Great Britain, I think there is a tremendous amount of energy in New Zealand that could be devoted to war work," said, in the course of an interview, Mr J. C. Cooper, general manager of the Taranaki Farmers' Freezing Company, who has just returned from a visit to Britain. "In England and Scotland I saw thousands of women engaged in all classes of occupations usually followed by men. I saw as many as 5000 women proceed to France in connection with war requirements. New Zealand has done well in connection with the war. but she could do a great deal more-, particularly with regard to female labour."

A definite refusal to hear a case, on the ground that it involved a criminal charge against a dead man, waa made at tho Supreme Court at Auckland on Saturday by Mr Justice Hosking. " The allegations," said his Honor, "are such that if thp, man wero alive he could be put in the clock without parley. When a man is accused in that way he has a right of trial by twelve of his fellow-citizens, and it is according to custom to give him the same privilege after ho is dead. There is no law against libelling a dead man, but his integrity should be protected as far as possible." An adjournment to the February sittings was then ordered, and his Honor directed that the case be tried by a common jury of 12.