TOPICS OF THE TIMES

Southland Times, Issue 18858, 25 June 1920, Page 4

TOPICS OF THE TIMES

The other day there appeared in the Southland Times figures relating to the physical fitness of men called up for service under the Military' Service Act. They showed that of 135,252 men examined, 46,488 or 34 per cent, were found fit. It is possible to count as normal tjie 4087 in Class B. Of the 81,496 men in Class C, 6807 were passed as fit for the Cl camp, and 74,689 were deemed permanently unfit for service abroad. Those declared permanently unfit for war service numbered 3211. The Class A men were a smaller percentage of the total than was the case in Britain, where 36 per cent, were found to be of full normal health and strength. It seems to be generally considered, however, that the standard in New Zealand was higher than in Britain. The difficulty in the way of accepting the figures, with all their testimony of the prevalence of bodily defects and diseases, is evidence of a decaying national health is the absence of statistics of a like kind for earlier years. In Great Britain, however, a gloomy view is- taken of such statistics. The other clay Sir George Newman, Chief Medical Officer of the Ministry of Health, in an address to the National Health fßociety, declared that "the English jicople wore suffering from impaired physique." He quoted the results of the medical examination of recruits, and he mentioned, as further evidence on this point, that ten years of medical inspection in elementary schools had shown that no fewer than 1,000,000 children of school age were so defective as to be unable to derive reasonable benefit from their schooling. Sir George Newman laid great stress upon the value of good food and games as preservatives of the national health. He described the dietetic conditions of the great mass of the workers as “a tale of bread and beer, tea and pickles, canned meat and cakes,” which sounds unpleasant. What he recommends is u campaign to teach people what to buy and how to cook it and a more complete and systematic training of the young and the not-so-young through games and gymnastics. To this end he thinks the country ought to have a “Health Day” as well as an Empire Day or Hospital Day. Prohibition in America has- raised a difficulty for Morris Gest, a well-known theatrical manager in the United States. He has purchased the rights of the London production “Afgar” for presentation in New York and has engaged Mdlle. Alice Delysia, an Anglo-French actress who contributed largely to the success of “Afgar,” to appear in New York. Unfortunately her contract provides for champagne with every meal, and in “dry” New York it will be dangerous to fulfil such terms. When the latest mail left America Mr Gest was still trying to find a solution short of abandoning the contract. The London correspondent of the Christchurch Press has forwarded to that journal a sample of the sort of thing that Socialist extremists: in this country send abroad with the purpose of discrediting the dominion. This is a letter to the Glasgow Socialist from a New Zealand correspondent. This correspondent, after a reference to the strike of 1913, says that the Government is to-day l!S ing against the workers the weapons of “fines, gaol, disfranchisement, and deportation.”’ He asks the Socialists to “warn all workers to keep away from New Zealand until there is a more enlightened Government, instead of the crusted ‘out-back farmers and squatters now in power. They are trying,” he adds, “to flood the country with ex-Service men from England, so as to have, as they think, a good supply of patriotic and loyal scabs.” It is useless to reason with people who are willing to resort to such methods to injure the country in which they live (says the Press). We put the letter on record only in order that the public may realise that such people are about.

A number of frostfish and kingfish (says the Ashburton Guardian) have been found on the beach at Hakatere during the last few days. Vegetables appear to be in good supply on on the Wellington market (says the Dominion I. and prices, save for special lines, are at present on the moderate side. If is understood (states the Balclutha Free Press) that a valuable coal discovery has been made at Waiwera, the seam running, it is believed, through Pomahaka clear to the Blue Mountains. Experiments recently carried out in New Zealand show that money in the form of coins is practically microbe-proof. Even the attempts to cultivate germs on coins was a failure. An Australian mail by the Manuka was expected to arrive in Invercargill last night but the ferry steamer Wahine did not connect with the southern express from Christchurch. The manager of a Chicago moving picture house has installed all over the auditorium dictaphones connected to a loud speaking telephone in his office, according to the Electrical Experimenter,' which describes the device in detail. Thus he is able to listen to what his patrons say about the show and get many valuable pointers. The Wellington correspondent of the Lyttelton Times reported that Cabinet'on Tuesday authorised the erection of seventy-seven dwellings under the Workers’ Dwellings Act in Christchurch. A Press Association message gave the number as fifty-five and the Wellington correspondent of the Christchurch Press made it thirty-five. The affection of a trooper or an officer for the horse he has ridden in war time is proverbial. The steamer Westmeath, which arrived in Auckland on Saturday morning brought four officers’ chargers, of which the owners —men who served in the New Zealand Division in France—thought so highly that they have gone to the trouble and expense of having them sent out to New Zealand. The most interesting of the quartet is General Russell’s mare Dolly. A brief talk upon development of secondary industries in Australia was given to the Wellington Industrial Association recently by Mr E. J. Ward, who has recently returned from a visit to Australia. Mr Ward spoke of the energy of the manufacturers in the Commonwealth in advertising their goods, and of the prevailing idea among the people thatewhat was made in Australia was good enough for Australians. Most of all he had been struck by the Government’s attitude towards local manufactures. When he returned to New Zealand he felt as if he had come out of the warm sunshine into a freezing chamber. He expressed confidently his opinion that he would live to see the day in New Zealand when our secondary industries would be more important than thd" farming industries. The Wellington Post’s London correspondent mentions that during the recent lecture on the Dominion Mr H. Garrison referred to Russell (New Zealand) as the sleepiest place in the world. “Russell took life so easily that, although the fish were jumping out of the water asking to be caught the people preferred to eat tinned salmon from British Columbia. Rather than be put to the trouble of milking their own cows, they imported condensed milk from Switzerland. Yet even little Russell sent its quota of splendid men to fight during the war.” He referred to Taranaki as the Devonshire of New Zealand; to Nelson as “Arcadia—a dream of delight,” where “dogs in the summer leaned up against the fences, in order to get up enough energy to bark;” to Christchurch as “the Oxford of New Zealand”; to Westland as “the Gold Coast of the early days, and the coal coast of to-day.” A discussion took place recently in Christchurch on the extent of the habit of cigarette smoking among nurses. The Nursing Mirror, the official organ of the English nurses, denies that the cigarette habit is more genera] among nurses than in any other class of women workers. The Mirror says:—“ That the younger nurses, like other modern women, frequently smoke in their leisure hours in their own rooms, and in offduty hours with their friends, vve admit; and, though we are old-fashioned enough to regret it, wc recognise that their lives are their own, and that a nurse is not a nun. But it is ridiculous to state that the habit of ‘smoking is becoming more general among the nursing profession than among any other class of women workers.’ Who is the person who is able to consort with all classes of women workers at the same time, and so is capable of making such an assertion with justice?” “I’ve been connected with the grocery trade in Wellington for over 50 years,” said Mr Allen Anderson to a Dominion reporter on Monday, “ami for the first time in my recollection no biscuits are obtainable in Wellington. 1 have none in stock, and cannot get them, and believe there are others in the same fix.” Mr Anderson said that the famine in biscuits had been caused by a chain of circumstances over which no one had any control. There had been a serious fire at Bycroft’s factory in Auckland some weeks ago; another in the Southern Cross factory in Wanganui; and AuLsebrook’s (Christchurch) were unable to keep up their average output owing to a shortage of sugar supplies, so essential in the manufacture of sweetened biscuits. The deprivation was a serious one. as with many people biscuits of one sort or another were an everyday food, and every grocer in the city sells several tons of them during the year. It was not possible to say when supplies would be available. Stocks wore bare at present, and might be for some little time to come. A case arising out of alleged similarity between trade marks was disposed of in a judgment of the Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout I last week. I. and R. Morley, of England, recently applied-for an injunction to restrain Macky, Logan, and Caldwell, Ltd., of Wellington, from selling clothing branded with the trade mark of Mercury Mills, Ltd., of Hamilton, Canada. The ground of the application was that the Mercury Mills brand was so like a mark owned by the plaintiffs that it was calculated to deceive. His Honour, after referring to several features that in his opinion sufficiently distinguished the brands from each other, dismissed the application. The Registrar of Trade Marks had made a purely formal refusal to register the Mercury' Mills brand, as the matter of registration was to be decided by the Court at the same time as the question of an injunction. His Honour reversed the Registrar’s ruling. At the hearing of argument, Sir John Findlay, K.C., and Mr A. W. Blair appeared for I. and R. Morley. Mercury Mills, Ltd. (the real defendants against the application for ait injunction) were represented by Mr A. 11. Johnstone, of Auckland.

A report received by the secretary of the Wellington Industrial Association from the Auckland Association last week dealt with the "forward movement” scheme for the advancement of New Zealand-made goods. The Auckland Association. considered that the most important work was to start a New Zealand Manufacturers’ Journal issued by interested parties throughout the dominion, in preference to the issuing of a journal by the Auckland manufacturers alone. The “forward movement” plan, which has been approved by the Conference of Industrial Associations in Dunedin, is, the report states, designed to link up all manufacturers from the North Cape to the Bluff, so that they will be able to act together in their mutual interests. It is expected that the monthly paper will contain the advertising of every manufacturer in each centre, and speakers from the central associations will visit the larger towns and inaugurate committees to carry on the educative work. Kvery chance of small exhibitions and window displays will be taken. Newspaper advertising will also be used, over the slogan, “Buy New Zealand Goods.” Window display cards issued by Melbourne manufacturers to advertise Australian-made goods were handed round for inspection. The question will be further reviewed by the Wellington association after being considered by the Standing Committee.

It is announced that the Government has decided to erect fifty-five workers’ homes in Christchurch. A Dunedin Press Association telegram states that for some days past there have been big whisky clearances from bond in anticipation of an immediate increase in duty. No cases of smallpox have been notified since June 14, and the health authorities believe that the epidemic has been stamped | out. ‘T can say this; That whoever becomes Minister of Defence, is not going to have a rosy time, and 1 don’t envy him,” said Sir Heaton Rhodes at Methven, on Tuesday night, in referring to a rumour that he would receive the portfolio of Defence. How an erring husband added insult to injury was told by the complainant in a maintenance case at the Christchurch Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday. ‘Tie boiled the kettle with my Bible,” the witness said, "and then asked me to have a cup of tea.” The construction of the East Coast railway (says the Bay.of Plenty Times) has now reached the western bank of the Rangitaiki river, which is more than half way across the Rangitaiki Plains. The bridge over the river is nearly completed. At the Magistrate’s Court, before Mr G. Cruickshank, S.M, yesterday morning, judgment by default was given for the plaintiff in the cose of John Murray v. Robert McCormack, claim £1 10s 9d, with costs, ss. At the Police Court yesterday morning, before Mr G. Cruickshank, S.M, two first offenders for drunkenness were fined 10s and £1 respectively, while a first offender charged with disorderly conduct was convicted and discharged. A meeting of the Labour Carnival Committee, held last night, was well attended, and was characterised by a good deal of enthusiasm. The resignation of Mr Alexander Sutherland as organising secretary was received, and Mr D. bcott was appointed to the position pro tem, in an honorary capacity. To “take silk” in these days, as the new King’s Counsel will find, is a more costly affair than usual, says the London Daily Chronicle. Patent fees and other customary disbursements amount to about £IOO, the silk gown which gives the K.C. his nickname, and full-bottomed wig, cannot be purchased now under £SO. There is also a braided coat of extra superfine broadcloth to be bought, as well as knee breeches and buckled shoes, which may well run into £3O. Lastly, by an unwritten, but none the less stringent law, the new “silk” must present his iaithful clerk with a frock coat suit and an immaculate silk topper. The London correspondent of the Christchurch Press mentions that a strange will case has been decided in which a legacy of £6OO had been left to a county church on condition that all of its clocks and services were regulated by the “true time of the sun,” and no attention paid to the legal innovation of "summer time.” If this condition were not observed, then the legacy was to revert to the Colonial and Continental Society of the English Church of New Zealand. The Chancery Court provided the curious spectacle of the representatives of two ecclesiastical entities contending for the same prize, the one maintaining that the I condition amounted to a breach of law, and the other affirming that if church clocks went to earn legacies they must be prepared to humour those that leave them. In the result, the £6OO stays in Buckinghamshire. Pillaging on the wharves and how to defeat it were dealt with in a report to the Auckland Harbour Board on Tuesday by the traffic manager. “In reference to the recent cases of pillaging in the sheds,” ran the report, “I beg to report that in my opinion the only way to prevent this is by increased and more efficient supervision. The Board’s storekeepers should be one of the principal j factors in this direction, though their time I is at present largely occupied with other duties. The shipping companies could assist greatly if it were possible for them to have reliable salaried men for supervision and delivery, while it would also be an advantage if the sorters were permanent hands. I understand the Customs have the right to search anyone (hey suspect of being in possession of dutiable goods. It would have a very great moral effect, and would be a wonderful deterrent, if this search could be put into force in cases of persons suspected when leaving the wharves. I am of 1 opinion that this is particularly necessary in cases of carters’ feeding-bags and the numerous handbags.” The problem presenter! by the butcher’s, the baker’s, and the milkman’s bill in these days of steadily soaring prices is one that is causing untold worry and perplexity to thousands of Auckland wives and mothers (says the correspondent of the Christchurch Press). In view of tins state of affairs, it would appear inevitable that tradesmen and others who supply the necessaries of life must be finding their business more or less affected with an increase of bad debts and long-deferred payment?. From enquiries made of various tradespeople, however, it seems that this has not been the case. On the contrary, all those questioned on the matter were unanimous in their statement that, generally speaking, payments bad been more prompt and bad debts fewer during (he last few years than before the war. Tim heads of several large drapery and grocery houses stated that the amounts written olf us bad debts during the last year or two were negligible. Customers were not only buying just as freely as ever, in spite of high prices, but were settling their accounts more promptly. The reason for this was held to be the large amount of ready money that has been circulating in the community during the last few years. An important publication issued on behalf of the Medical Research Committee of the National Health Insurance is a pamphlet on "The Destruction of Bacteria in Milk by Electricity.” It is the report Issued by Professor J, M. Beattie, M.A., M.D., Professor of Bacteriology, University of Liverpool (formerly of Otago University), and Professor F. C. Lewis, F.C.S., Lecturer on Bacteriological Methods, of Liverpool University. Their discovery is officially described as being a “practical method, of which the use on a large scale becomes now a problem for closer financial and administrative examination.” The two professors have lieen experimenting since 1914, with the result that j they have succeeded in destroying by electricity the two chief dangerous species of microbes commonly found in milk —the bacillus of tuberculosis and the bacillus coli j communis. Milk treated by the process is j said to keep good for several days at ordin- j ary room temperature. “1 he taste,” says | the report, “is not altered, and the properties ; are not in any way impaired. The milk can , be described accurately a? ‘raw milk’ free j from pathogenic bacteria. Children take it very readily, even those who object to heatsterilised milk.” TRACTOR TRIAL. A public trial of. the Moline Universal Tractor will be held on the farm of Mr John Cullen, “Calderville,” Morton Mains, on Wednesday, 30th inst. A start will be made at 10 o’clock and work will be continued through the afternoon. All interested invited. JAMES MAC A LISTER, LTD., Sole Agents. 5Jv623 Since the commencement of the “Colossal” at PRICE & BULLEID’S, Ltd., the Bargain Tables have attracted the largest number of buyers that have yet patronised the firm’s periodical cheap sales. The policy of “throwing out” and marking all sale lines at genuine reductions is reaping its own reward. Buyers are daily procuring from one section or another of the house something really worth while in the way of value. — (Advt.) “Ladies who want to preserve their stylish figure” must abandon the toil of rubbing the weekly washing and instead, let “NO RUBBING LAUNDRY HELP” do the hard work.— (Advt.) HATS for men, youths, and boys—a fine showing of all the popular styles and value prices. UNDEXLL’S, opp. P.O.— (Advt.)

A partnership that is to be desired in I tableware is quality and price— high quality ] and low price. This will be found in our fine line of solid nickel Sheffield Teaspoons, ! 4/6 half-dozen; Dessert Spoons and Forks, 10/6 half-dozen; Table Forks, 14/6 halfdozen. These are guaranteed to wear white throughout and the shape is the preferred old English. Hyndman’s, Dee street, famous for value. For Evening wear, THOMSON & BEATTIE’S is the place. See the beautiful range | of Spangled Nets, 40 inches wide, at 12/5 i yard, in lavender, gold, saxe, black, cream I cud jade. Also black sequin Robes at 5 ! end 6 guineas, and a large range of Crepe j de Chines, Georgettes, silver and gold tinsel | and floral Silks, in all colours. See also | the range of Evening Dresses. Every wanted colour and style.— (Advt.) Special Notice —1 small Nugget 1/I}, large tins Nugget 1/-, 1 dozen tin small Nugget for 3/3 at BAXTER’S Grocery. Fresh goods arriving weekly at BAXTER’S. (Advt.) Our Big Reliability Sale is in full swing. Prompt service, reasonable prices, courteous treatment, good qualities, have marked the ; path of our success. A real bargain Sale of ! Blouses. A hugs selection. Morning Blouses, Sale price 4/5 to 7/11; Wincey I Blouses, Sale price 9/11 to 18/6; Net . Blouses, 19/6 to 39/6; Coloured Silk j Blouses, all one bargain price, 19/6; White I Silk Blouses, 14/6 to 25/6; Black Silk Blouses, 10/6 to 29/6; Crepe de Chine Blouses, Sale price 27/6 to 6S/6; Flannel Blouses, 22/6 to 28/6; Fugi Silks in plain and stripes, 28/6 to 39/6; Wool Jerseys, Sale price 25/- to 79/6. Two special bargain lines of Ladies’ Tweed Coats, Sale price 55/- to 84/-. Ladies’ Ready-to-wear Hats in straws and felts. See window and Showroom—your choice all 12/6. Inspection invited at H. & J. SMITH, Ltd, Frogressive Stores, Invercargill, and Gore.—(Advt.) "What muddle superfluous preparation makes.”—Stanus. Certainly be prepared, for wise preparation means also the battle half won; but superfluous preparation is ill-advised. Always be prepared during winter time, which to the unprepared is chronic cough and cold time. Baxter's Lung Preserver is ample preparation, for this sterling remedy is a sure, safe, and prompt remedy. it nips the trouble m the bud and fortifies against the return visit. The home that knows “Baxter’s” is cough and cold proof. Get large bottle of this 54-year-old specific to-day. 2/6 at chemist and store. — (Advt.) Big Bargains await you in all Departments at our great Wither bale. HIE ECONOMIC, Ladies’ Outfitters, GO Dee street. — (Advt.) INFLUENZA PRECAUTIONS. An absolute safeguard against Influenza is to keep the nasal and .throat passages irrigated and disinfected twice daily by gargling and sniffing up “Fluenzol” — 1/6 and 2/6. — (Advt.) MASTERS, LTD, were the originators ot tee AO per cent, discount to returned sol. filers. Other storekeepers have copied ui and we now go one better. We now invite ail discharged soldiers and those waiting discharge to have their military hats rebiccked, free of all cost, by the only hatter in Southland. We still give a 10 per cent, reduction to Ml returned soldiers.—■ MASTERS, LTD, Dee street. — (Advt.) PROPORTipN OF WORKING DAYS. At Olasgow'recently an authority stated that the ratio of working auys to days m commission lor motor lornas was electric 95 per cent., petrol 90 per cent, steam 85 per cent. You save money on maintenance alone by using "ORWELL” Electric Lorry THE NEW ZEALAND EXPRESS CO. ntd,. Sole Agents.—(Advt.) ,