CURRENT TOPICS

Southland Times, Issue 17468, 24 March 1915, Page 5

CURRENT TOPICS

RISK IN FOOD STUFFS. Pome very interesting figures were retently given by Mr Asquith regarding the increase in the cost of living in the United Kingdom. Wheat is 72 per cent, ilearer than it was last February, flour f.' per cent.. British meat 6 per cent.. Joreign meat 1- per cent., sugar 7:.’ per vent., and coal 1.7 per cent. The general level of retail food prices on February I. as compared with those of last July, had increased by 2t tier cent, in London. ,nnd by "tl per cent, in small towns and So far as the Government can make out, there is very little evidence of n diminution on any Important scale in the country's consumption, Mr Asquith fictually came to the conclusion that, if nccounts were taken of the men In the new army, the working class was probably consuming more food per head than In any former year. The rise in the ■price of wheat was attributed by the J’rime Minister to diminished supply and increased demand. The present contraction of what would otherwise have been the available supply was caused by the failure of the Australian crop for export purposes, the temporary embargo on the export of Indian wheat, a delay of three weeks in the transport of the good 'Argentine crop, the holding-up of 10.dOij.OOO quarters of Russian wheat by the Xiardanelles, and the depredation of the crops - in Belgium and Northern France. Jlr Asquith's main conclusions were that the rise in freights had not been the determining factor in the price of wheat. The increase has been largely due to speculation in New York and Chicago. The best estimate the Government can form from a business point of view is that wheat will he available in sufficient quantities certainly atter June. There was no evidence of any unusual dearth of meat. The price of sugar is the same ns in the United Stales, and any change In the next few months is likely to he downward. The Prime Minister agreed that freights had undoubtedly been an important contributory cause to the high price of coal. A considerable reduction has. however, already been effected by the putting of captured vessels into the service. In his snmming-np. Mr Asquith, speaking "as a practical man and not as n political economist of the old school." declined to lix maximum prices—an experiment, he said, which the German Government had made with disastrous consequences. lie also refused to believe that any advantage would have been secured by buying up the available world supply and commandeering (lie stocks at Home. I’RDSI’KRITY OF I RULAND. Ireland's fortunate state since Hie war Vegan is, perhaps, hardly realised in the sister kingdom, writes a correspondent of llie London Times. The fears of invasion are less troublesome here than in Great Britain. A visit from a German submarine is in view of recent events mere than possible, but all the Irish coasts are believed to be well outside the range of German Zeppelins. Meanwhile the conditions of Irish trade and commerce are only abnormal in the sense that thev are more than normally prosperous. Irish agriculture is enjoying to the full the benefit of its unique advantages in the English markets. Until the submarine raids interfered Wifi) the shipments of stock cattle and tugs were being exported in huge numbers. Butter and eggs are reaping enhanced prices. The farmers profits ai ( ' very great. There is a fear, however, "that excessive exportation ol imrnatnie cattle"mav'denletc the resources for the renewal of stock. The Department of Agriculture has issued several warnings on this point. Irish industries also are doing verv well, with perhaps only one exception— namely, tin- Ulster linen trade which is suffering from want of ■the flax supplies that come usually from Belgium and Russia. The demands of lUe Bar Office have given a valuable, nml it is to he hoped, more Hum temporary. stimulus to Irish manufactures. The Irish wollen mills in Hie south and west arc working at high pressure in 1 lie production of khaki. General . Ir Lawrence Parsons, who commands the Irish Brigade, lias advised them to enlarge Iheir plant to meet future orders. There are about a dozen hoot factories In Ireland, and it is believed that their trade has been much increased since Hie cm break of war. The Irish statistics of poverty and crime have dwindled in a. remarkable manner. There is very little distress except in the large cities. In many agricultural districts there is an actual deliicifiiicy of labour. SUBMARINE SUCCESSES. So much lia-s been heard of German submarines during the present war that jt is interesting to learn that an expert considers the British submarine service has made more use of its limited opportunities than life Germans of theirs. Mr Fred. T. Jane, the well-known naval writer, refers to this subject in the Edinburgh Review, and states that it can bo safely assumed that as far ns relative efficiency is concerned, British, French, German, and Austrian submarines are ••much of muchness." Then he says:— •The difference between the very best end the very worst of them all is a trivial nml a tiny llea-hite compared to fhe human element concerned In ttio contra! of the delicate mechanism which has been created." Ho sees in this the whole crux of the submarine matter, and he lays great stress on the fact that in a submarine where officers and men all live ■•hugger-mugger" together, the old contrasts between Hie ranks have largrlv to go by the board. Submarine efficiency. lie says, depends mainly upon bow far this state of feeling can be assimilated wilhhut the men taking ad-

vantage of their officers —that Is to say, on the officer being able to maintain his authority on purely personal grounds in which neither ago, birth, nor rank has any status whatever. In the British submarine service the requisite conditions obtain almost invariably. The normal temperament of the British gentleman leads him that way. The normal temperament of the German gentleman is somewhat otherwise —and here, in Mr Jane’s opinion, lies the secret of the general failure of the Gorman submarine attacks on the British Navy. “We have, It is true, lost sonic ships by submarine attack. But in each and every one of these eases the loss lias been accomplished by surface aid —a trawler or yacht under a neutral Pag. Though opportunities have been many, every Govman submarine attack, In Ihe real sense of the word, has been a failure. We, on the other hand, have been very nearly devoid of opportunity, yet we have managed to score three purely submarine successes.” NOTICE TO A CORRESPONDENT. "Fairplay."—The proper course for you to follow is to tiring the matter under the notice of the Southland County Council. —Ed. S.T. Forty-six applications were in all received for tire position of official Government war correspondent with the New Zealand Forces. The committee of selection to assist the Minister will meet to-day. A calf given by Mr Botiort Bussell to the Belgian relief fund and sold by Messrs Wright, Stephenson and Co. at Wallueetown yesterday realised £2 16/-. A rlothing manufacture in Dunedin says that while the factories in Uellington are working overtime and yet cannot keep pace with Hie Government orders for military clothing. Dunedin manufacturers are being entirely overlooked. The Timaru Fire Board formally opened the new tire elation yesterday and witnessed the trial of ttie motor with the centrifugal pump. The Timaru hire Brigade is now very thoroughly equipped.—Press Association. The Abattoir Committee at a special meeting held on Monday evening, appointed ttie following as slaughtermen, Messrs Henry Bevin, John Burke, and K. Harvey. Mr John C. Tunnicliffe wns appointed butchers’ labourer. . Mr Bruce, secretary of the Wharf Labourers’ .Union at Wellington, estimates Unit during last week there have been between f,OO and 600 wharf labourers out of work. To make matter worse a steady Influx of labour has set in from various industries, which is seriously affecting the livelihood of those who are regularly engaged as waterside workers. At Wallaeetown sale yesterday a material addition was afforded the British Relief fund by the action of the Garston district farmers. Through their secretary, Mr Wm. Peters they forwarded two trucks of sheep, the proceeds of which were to be devoted to this fund. The sheep were auctioned by Messrs Henderson and Co., Ltd., on behalf of the committee, and as a result the fund will benefit to the extent of over ITS. Those who donated sheep towards accomplishing this end are to he congratulated on the success of their efforts. Their action will lie much appreciated by tile Patriotic Committee, as well as by the people who are patriotically inclined. The garden fete in aid of the Y.W.C..A. will be opened at 2 o’clock this afternoon in the beautiful grounds of Mr W. Macailstcr. North Boad. Avcnal. Many forms of amusement have been provided, some of which are announced elsewhere in our columns, and others will be speedily: discovered on arrival, in tent A, for example, which it is safe to predict will soon become a centre of attractions. Stalls well filled with home-made comestibles will invito liberal patronage and flowers and fruit will make a similar appeal. Afternoon tea (and probably ice cream for the younger generation! will be served near the summerhouse during the afternoon. In short, if the weather is kind the undertaking should receive general support and prove tile success that is so ardently desired. The Postmaster-General announces that in the present exceptional circumstances correspondence despatched via Suez is subject to heavy delay. Letters posted for later mails despatched by San Francisco or Vancouver generally reach their destinations before those despatched via Suez, in order, however, to provide for the requirements of banks rind other business institutions where Hie despatch of duplicate documents by different mails is desired, the Department advertises despatches via Suez for specially addressed correspondence. Only large quantities of letters, evidently not duplicates, are being posted via Suez, and In order to remove misapprehension it is announced that at the present time the best routes for transmission for the United Kingdom are via Ban Francisco Tlie danger attending the discharging of firearms in the vicinity of houses was illustrated bv an incident which occurred at Mount Albert on Sunday week (says the New Zealand Herald). A member of the Expeditionary Force, who recentlv returned from Samoa, brought hack with him an old German service revolver. On Sunday his younger brother obtained possession of the weapon and some ammunition, and. with several other boys, went shooting birds ill an orchard, about 00 yeards from the house of Mr W. Shaw. in Frederick street. One bullet penetrated the side of tlie house and struck the opposite wiill of a room about a foot, above a spot where a young lady was lying on a conch reading. The bullet was subsequently recovered. It was made of a much harder metal than lead, and, beyond the marks caused by the rifling iif tlie revolver, was not dented in any way. The maritime strike was a failure, according to the latest monthly report of the Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners, ’’and.” adds that publication "that is bow most strikes end no gooil to tlie workers, no good to the employer, both suffer.” When the strike took place the business of the society in Australasia was carried on by tlie District Committee in Australia, and the following sums were given by members towards the strike: —-Grant from District Committee, £305; Auckland, £1 In 6d; Dunedin, £74 Its; Adelaide. £6O; Balmain, £2l J2s: Bathurst, £l2 6s 2d; Brisbane, first and second, £B6 Its 2d; Bundaberg. £•'' j« 6d; Geelong, £ 10 IBs 6d; Newcastle. Now South Wales, £7 12s; Bedfern, £26 Os Gd: Sydney, first. £B7 2s loti; Townsville. £l2 r>s; Melbourne, first £ll2 11s 9d; Melbourne, second, £66 4s •id; Melbourne, third. £67 8s 10d; Richmond, Victoria, £l7 7s 6d; North Melbourne, £22 Os r,d: Brunswick. Victoria, £2S is; South -Melbourne, £1,7 ,7s; Willi,imstown. £l2 6s Gd; Bairnsdale, Victoria, £t is !ld; Petersham, New South Wales, £l2 12s 0d; Burwood. Now South Wales. £4 10s; Sandhurst, £27 8s 6d; — total, £1291 10s Bd. Last night tlm monthly meeting of the Board of Directors of the Y.M.C.A. was held, with an excellent attendance. Those present included Messrs C. S. Longuet (president), and J. S. Baxter, .1. Taylor. C. H. Roberts, Rev. If. W. Bnrrldge, W A McCaw, W. S. Ayson, W. A. Clothier, T. H. Gifford, S. M. McDonald, and A. S. Wallace. Mr Longuet welcomed the new members to their first board meeting since their election Correspondence was dealt with dealing with various matters, including territorial and Expeditionary Force field service, sports grounds, and Dan Crawford’s meetings. Tlie secretary of these reported that New Zealand had raised £I2OO for the school work the missionary had been pleading for. Accounts amounting to £lO Is lid were passed for payment, and considerable discussion took place over the year’s financial budget, which is a somewhat difficult one to estimate owing to loss of revenue, due to the present condition. Several reports of the Departmental committees were read by the General Secretary, who also reported on the work done at the C Battery Camp. There were 72 men In camp, and the attendances each night in the" marquee averaged 50 to 00. Two concerts and two Sunday evening services were held as well as the church parades led by the Bev R. M. Ryburn. About 200 letters and post cards were written in the marquee, and altogether the camp was highly appreciated. The secretary explained the arrangements for co-operation in the work made with the Presbyterian and Methodist Churches, by which the three bodies have equal responsibility in the manning of the institute and are to share the cost.

A general meeting of shareholders of the Invercargill Starr-Bowkett Building Society was held In the Society’s office last night for the purpose of disposing, by way of appropriations, £IOOO in Group No, 2. The free loan of £SOO fell to Cluster No. 293. There being, no purchasers for the sale loan, this was also balloted for, with the result that No. 40 was successful. Commenting on tlie discussions concerning tlie form which a war tax should take the Farmers' Union Advocate says: “The farmer recognises that, If a tax is necessary, he must pay his quota, and ho will do so willingly, provided that it is not a class tax, but that all classes contribute their share in proportion to the benefits received. \Ve also recognise that It is next to Impossible to Impose a tax that can be perfectly just to everyone; but, speaking nominally, and with reservation wo believe that the taxation for general purposes is fairly equitably Imposed, and that a small percentage on existing taxation would meet the needs of tlie case. It may be true that certain sections of tlie people have suffered more than others through tlie war. and therefore there is all tlie more need to see that the tax Is levied in such a way that such people will benefit by almost complete exemption." Your winter outfit, underwear, shirts, raincoat, etc. Get it now while prices are down. Undrlll’s, opposite Post Office. x Groceries of high standard can be had at remarkably low rates for prompt cash at Baxter's, Dee Street. x How to he Happy when Married.—-Call the Great Love Giver into your homo, and let Peace, Love, Joy and Brightness rule.—Advt. On Thursday, Friday and Saturday of this week, Thomson and Beattie, Ltd., are holding a special display of New Season’s Goods. Despite the difficulties experienced by the Homo Buyers in filling orders "Tlie Exhibition has every reason to be proud of the display, and they extend you a cordial invitation to pay a visit of inspection. x Baxter's cash system is the most inexpensive way of supplying the public with the best groceries. Purchasers get full value for* every penny spent, and do not help to pay for other people's bad debts. x Tlie horse suffers from numerous ailments, practically all of which can be traced to one or two causes. e have devoted considerable lime to the studj of the diseases of stock, and wc have no hesitation in stating that our remedies are without a peer in their curative properties. Not only have our medicines for the stable obtained renown; our liniments, too, have won the favour of studmasters and the good groom. We solicit your enquiries. Our experience in diagnosing troubles is always at your command. We make a specialty of attending to postal orders. —R. Sommerviiie. Chemist and Lyesight Specialist, Dec street, Invercargill. —Advt. Ton can got a Suit Bargain for your Boy If you make sure you shop at The Economic Outfitters. 60 Dee street. x There is no lack of choice in the charming selection of Ladies’ Ready-to-vveur Hats that are now showing in Messrs Price and Bulleid’s window and snow rooms. The colours are superb, the stylos chic and variety endless. Velvets, Satins, Felts, etc., comprise the largest portion of this exhibition and the untrimmed varieties are represented principally in velvet and felt. Matrons' Bonnets, Toques, etc., are also showing in Silks and Velvets. Sports Coats in new styles have just arrived in a variety of colours and mixtures. These are entirely different to any others that have been previously received, and we should like to show them to you. Price and Bulleid. x V martvr to Rheumatism, Gout. Sciatica or Lumbago is to be much pitied—and yet lie can easily be cured. His illness'is due 10 excess uric acid in the blood and this must he removed before a permanent cure can be obtained. Many sufferers fly at once to plasters and liniments because they obtain temporary relief— but they can get no real benefit until the cause is removed. BHEU-MO is tlie only successful remedy for uric acid troubles, for it rids the system of the cause of the trouble. P.HEUMO has cured thousands and it will cure you. Buy a bottle to-day. Of all chemists and stores, 2/6 and 4/6. 92 SYNOPSIS NEW ADVERTISEMENTS. On page 1— Wanted, woman. Wanted, farm hands. Tenders for county works. Sugar at reduced prices from Baxter. Bargain in various lines at Wesneys . B’isli luncheon early at Pasco’s, Dee st. Hodges and Penny have a small farm for tease. , , . Dinner ready at 10 a.m. at Deschlers I totel. Dinner from 10.30 at Floral tearooms. Esk street. , , Early luncheon at the Geisha. Esk st. Lunch ready at 10 a.m. at the Liege Supper Rooms. Deo street. A nice lunch provided at the Railway Hotel to-day. G H. Preston's fish luncheon and supper rooms next Theatre. Summerville's corn cure is very beneficial and cheap. On page 2 ’■Cambrian" vertical link potato digger from Armour, Johnston. Ltd., Dec street. On page 6 Cricket at Rugby Park. 10.20 a.m. Fullers' Pictures, Zealandia Hall. S. Lyceum Pictures, Lyceum Hall. 8. Continuous Pictures, Spey street, 2 & 7 ■■Charley’s Aunt" Comedy Co. in Theatre to-night. Southland Autumn race meeting to-da> Meeting Northern! Bowling Club tonight at 7.30. South Canterbury Jockey Club races April 17 and 17. Meeting Southland Bowling Blub on Friday at 7.30. Madam Passin consulted at 2o Reel st. Notice by In’gill Borough to raise loan. On page 7 Arrived this day, magnificent winter coats in all colours at Price and Bulleid’s On page 8— Kupuka stock sale on March 2b.