CURRENT TOPICS

Southland Times, Issue 17866, 17 January 1918, Page 4

CURRENT TOPICS

LABOUR AND THE HOUSING PROBLEM. The demand of the Labour Parly in Britain for the construction of 1,000,000 workers’ dwellings as part of the Government's post-war reconstruction policy, is not likely to be given effect, to, owing to the outlay involved—the Labour Party estimates it at £300,000,000. Returns received by the Government in connection with its national housing scheme from the city, borough, town, and district councils throughout (he country show that about 100,000 new workmen's dwellings an; urgently required, but it can be stated that from 150,000 to 200,000 will be erected to meet the afterwar conditions. It was stated at the Local Government Board recently that the Government would be asked to grant a subsidy of several million pounds for the purpose. The type a'td size of the houses will vary according to the district in which they are built, but all the parts will be standardised, from the bricks to window fittings. In every possible case gardens will he provided, the cultivation of which will be of national value in the years of food shortage which will follow the war. Local authorities arc being urged to adopt a standard system of planning with not more than twelve houses to the acre. It is suggests;! that arterial roads be 100 ft wide, shopping or secondary roads not more than 50ft, and residential roads from 38ft to 40ft. Interviewed, Mr Henry' R- .Aldridge, secretary of the National Housing and Town Planning Council, said that up to now workmen’s houses had been turned out like cottage loaves. All this was to be altered. The house of the labourer could be just as artistically designed as that of the rich man. No more brick boxes mast be erected. What was wanted was healthy garden cottages, with more air and window space. Land could be bought near Birmingham, Manchester ,and Sheffield for less than £2OO an acre, and it was wrong, therefore, that local authorities should in some cases be paying as much as £IOOO per acre.

At 11.15 p.m. Inst night the Fire Brigade received a call from the Jed street box. On arrival, however, it was found to be a false alarm.

The country hotel-keeper debtor, at a meeting of creditors yesterday, stated that the introduction of sis o’clock closing had had no noticeable effect on his receipts. He sold more liquor during the day now,.

The Prime Minister announced,in Christchurch on Monday that he had been supplied with figures showing the dominion’s exports and imports during the year ended December 1 last. The figures arc as follows; Exports, £51,55)0,434; imports (approximate;, £20,003,629; surplus of exports, £10,992,805.

The Pahiatua Herald relates the following incident : —The story is told of an Auckland gentleman, a Britisher, whose business occasionally brings him to Pahiatua. He had booked a reserved seat by the Main Trunk at Auckland, only to subsequently discover it had been commandeered, by order, he was 1 old, of an officer. The traveller, perforce, had to stand for most of the journey, and great was his surprise and indignation on learning that his “reserved” seal was occupied by the notorious Count von Luckner!

Our Mal.uura eorrcs]>onderit writes: A wonderful phenomenon occurred here on Monday and Tuesday. On Monday between 4 and 5 o’clock p.m., and on Tuesday bebetween 6 and 7 o'clock p.m. the heaviest rainfall we have had for many years fell for a short time on each afternoon. Indeed in half an hour the water-tables in the streets were running bank high, and in many cases the footpath? were flooded, and yet on both days the rain area did not extend beyond Hrydone on the one side and Charlton and Wcimumu on the other. Accompanying the rain were heavy peals of thunder and flashes of lightning with extreme heat. A meeting of the Invercargill Labour Representation Committee was Held last evening, when Mr H. J. Farrant presided over a good attendance. The business of the evening was to consider the advisability of selecting a Labour candidate to contest the Invercargill scat at the next Parliamentary election. The meeting decided in favour of the idea, and the Rev. J. K. Archer (of Wellington, but formerly of Invercargill, where he was a member of the Borough Council i and Mr H. J. Farrant were nominated as candidates. It was decided to leave the final selection to the various unions and labour organisations.

For sonic little time past rumour has been busy with the subject of the delay in arrival of the English mail, and it has been stated quite [Kisitively that the mail was being held up in Wellington while the censor’s staff were busy with its contents. The rumours were brought under the notice of Sir Joseph Ward, Postmaster - General, at Christchurch on Monday, and Fir Joseph gave a prompt and emphatic denial to them. He staled that at that time the mail had not yet reached Wellington, anti that when it did lurive there would be no delay of any sort in distributing it* to the various centres and to the persons to whom the contents were addressed.

“Ours is the only profession.” said the president (Mr Bridge) at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Surveyors’ Institute in Auckland, “that is asked to tender one against the other for work. The Council has approached the Public Works Department to have this tendering done away with, but has been answered that there is always- good response, and that therefore it is salisfacton, - . That is to say, that there are always to be found amongst us those who are quite ready to cut one another's throats in the matter of price. I appeal to all surveyors to give the Institute their help in bringing to an end a state of things that certainly docs not improve the status of the surveyor.”

Of the principal harbours of France Lo Havre has shown the greatest increase in shipping movement, owing to the increased imports from England and the United States. Total clearings increased from 3,500.000 tons in 1914 to 5,000,000 tons in 1916. Harbour clearings of Marseilles show little change. They were about 7,600,000 tons in 1916. as against 7,400,000 tons in 191 L The harbour activity of Dunkirk, on the other hand, has suffered from the proximity of the Germans on land and under the sea; clearings decreased by about- 50 [*;r cent. Large increases are shown in Ihe clearings ol Bordeaux, 33 per cent..; Nantes, 25 per cent; Saint Nazaire. 50 per cent; while the increase of (he harbour of Rouen, viz., from 5.134.000 lo 0.150,000 tons, is the largest in tonnage.

The dairy produce stores are all practically full. in both butler and cheese the output by farmers is fully up to the high exiiertations formed at the beginning of the season. It is hoped that the pressure on the storage capacity will he somewhat relieved about the middle of this month. Meanwhile, the fullness of the stores :s not going to make the fanner? shorten the output. Mr G. A. Lamh. ."ec ret ary of the South Island Dairy Association, mentioned m ihe course of a chat with the Evening Siar representative on Wednesday last that the arrangements are well forward for meeting si! contingencies. A.- a result of Ihe big demand for dairy produce the farmers are taking every means of maintaining their herds. There is an abundance of grass everywhere, and land can be stocked heavily. In such circumstances the slaughtering of e.-dves is not lo be thought of.

The failure of Crown tenants in certain districts to observe the residential condition was discussed at a recent meeting of the Auckland Farmers’ Union (reports the Herald). It was stated that in one district where 44 -options had been taken up, only 15 owner? were in residence on their section?-. The tieclions were opened for settlement in February, 1915. and it was stated that on some of those held by the 29 nonresidents no improvements had been effected, while on others very little work had been done. The progress of the settlement had been considerably retarded in consequence, and the resident settlers were unable to obtain adequate postal and telephone services, besides having to subsidise a schoolmaster in order to keep open a school that had been established in the settlement. It was decided to bring the matter before the notice of the Land Board.

There is a po.ssibili.ty (telegraph? tbe Welling! on corresjaoiuJcnt of the Dunedin Times) that the choice by the Government of representatives of New Zealand to go to Loudon to attend the meeting of the Imperial War Cabinet may be complicated by unwillingness on tbs part of Sir James Allen to go. It is understood that he is not willing to go. Something has been said lately about the possibility of Mr Massey and Sir Joseph Ward going again. It may be taken for granted that Mr Massey would not be thinking of going unless he were requested specially by the Imperial Government to be present. His change of plan is not because of the Defence Minister's wishes on the question. It is possible that Sir James; Allen may alter his mind. There are many strong reasons, from the point of view of efficient administration of the Defence Department here, why he .should go te England and to France, and see for himself how the machine works there. “KEROLISINC” THE HOME. House-cleaning is incomplete without the use of KEROL. This most powerful disinfectant and germ-destroyer is twenty-four times stronger than Carbolic Acid, yet it is non-poisnnous and will not stain or corrode. Used in water for washing floors, furniture, walls and corners, KEROL makes the house sweet and clean. Poured down sinks, lavatories and drains, and sprinkled on dustbins, KEROL destroys evil smells and prevents flies breeding. KEROL is refreshing in the bath, essential lor sickrooms and the children’s toilet. Unequalled as an animal wash. Get this British-made disinfectant to-day. Small bottle makes thirty gallons efficient germ-killing fluid., A splendid range of Ladies’ Kid Gloves can be seen at THOMSON & BEATTIE’S. White Kid Gloves from 3/6 to 7/11; Tan, Beaver and Brown Kid Gloves from 3/11 to 8/11; Beaver, Brown, Grey and Black Suede Gloves at 7/11; Reindeer Gloves in Oaks and Slates, at 8/11, 12/6 and 15/6; Black Kid Gloves at 4/11 to 8/11. Also an extensive assortment of Fabric and Woven Gloves from 2/3 to 3/11 per pair.

The Economic’s Summer Bargain Sale starts Thursday, 17th. Call early and secure your requirements while the best Bargains art on offer. —THE ECONOMIC Ladies’ and Children’s Outfitters, 60 Dee street. *

No Taxation —Pay cash and you obviate certain undesirable forms of taxation as booking, bad debts, etc. Try Baxter’s. There Small Profits, Quick Returns is the rule. *

g Don't worry about the Tea tax. At £/- per lb your grocer can supply you with the famous DESERT GOLD Family Blend Tea. It is a full-flavoured Ceylon tea — delicious, wholesome ,and economical.— lAdvt.) Ladies’ Frocks and Coatee Dresses.— These goods are excellent value and will not be procurable again at the prices we arc now offering. Ladies’ Cotton Blouse Frocks, plain neat styles; usual price 19/6, 22/6, Sale price 111/6, 15/6. One price Frocks, black with white spot, navy with white spot; usual price 17/6, Sale price 14/6. Coatee Dresses, in pique, tobralco, \o:le and sponge cloth, exceptional value; usual price 27/6, 29/6, 142/6, 49/6, Sale price 23/6, 25/6, 27/6. 42/ C. Dainty Voile Dresses in various styles, at greatly reduced prices. Sec windows and all departments for many special Sale Bargains at H. & J. SMITH’S, LTD., Progressive Drapery' Store, Tay street. ’Phone 1162. *

SORE THROAT? YOU NEED BAXTER’S LUNG PRESERVER

Gives instant relief from pain and soon effects a welcome cure. Soothes and heals.

This pleasant-tasting remedy is renowned for its rapid curative qualities. It is also a body builder for the young and a splendid tonic for adults. Strengthens the body, enriches the blood, and repels attacks of coughs, colds, bronchitis, influenza, and all throat and lung troubles. The Family Medicine Chest is incomplete without a 1/1U bottle.

If you catch a cold, you can’t help it. If you keep a cold it’s your own tault. “NAZOL” is a safe and certain cure, and gives immediate relief. 1/6.

Holiday Shopping made Easy at UNDRILL’S, opp. P.O. Men’s and Boys’ Suits and Apparel needs in Great Variety. * To-day (Thursday) Messrs PRICE & BULLEID (LTD.), Tay street, once more enter the Sale period of the season’s trading and are commencing operations on (heir Annual Colossal Summer Sale. Very complete arrangements have been made for the successful running of this Sale. The goods are well and freely displayed on tables, lines and counters in all Departments, and buyers will experience little difficulty in finding just the particular line or article they wish to purcha.se. The stocks have been fairly severely culled for Sale lines and these have been marked at particularly tempting prices where it is a matter of quit-at-any-price. It is unnecessary to quote prices as in many instances these do not convey much information—the best plan is to see the goods and compare the value. A visit to the various Departments of Messrs Price and Bulleid’s (Ltd.) during Sale time will, without doubt, be of interest to buyers of Drapery. More elloctive than any mixture in stopping a cold is “NAZOL.” Penetrating and germ-killing. Keep it handy in home, shop or office. 1/6 buys 60 doses. ‘•NO RUBBING” Laundry Help and ‘GOLDEN RULE” Soap are our favourites. Mackerras and Hazlett, Ltd., Wholesale Agents for “NO RUBBING” and “GOLDEN RULE” brands. *

The refreshing, stimulating qualities of KOLA-NIP arc more than welcome on these tiring, hot, thirstful days. It quenches thirst, cools heated blood, and “feels good” all the way down.

We have landed a few of the latest model countershaft 4i h.p. B.S.A. Motor Cycles; excellent for solo and sidecar; economical and reliable British machines. Terms, etc. G. W. WOODS AND CO., Dee street, Invercargill.— (Advt.J

If you are seeking a really good temperance drink try KOLA-NtP. Its keen delicious flavour will delight you. Contains all the excellent qualities of the Kola Nut. Hotels and Stores.

SYNOPSIS OF NEW ADVERTISEMENTS

On I Wanted—Ty piste. For chue—Kull dog. For Pale—-Young ducks. Wauled—-Boy for shop. Wanted—Married couple. Wanted—Married ploughman. Wanted—Pick ana shovel men. For Sale— Hornsby reaper and binder. Cheap furniture at Iggo's, Dec street. Boya’s Agency, Dunedin, offer seeds. For blackberries see J. McKenzie, Deficitier’s Hotel. Nominations for Dunedin Races close on January 18. Try Noble's for jam jars, etc. The Coloasal Sale starts to-day. Cease of Crown lands by auction on 14th February. Muir and Sou oiler useful furniture. Mathcason’s, Ltd., want you to try their tea. On page 3 McGruer, Taylor offer laces, etc. On page SClearing sale at Longbush. Todd and Co.'s weekly furniture sale to day. For motor spirit try P. H. Vickery and Co,