The Souhtland Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. Luceo Non Uro. MONDAY, MAY 28, 1928. THE UNEMPLOYED

Southland Times, Issue 20497, 28 May 1928, Page 6

The Souhtland Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. Luceo Non Uro. MONDAY, MAY 28, 1928. THE UNEMPLOYED

Deputations to members of the Government on the unemployment question serve to keep the public eye focussed on this subject, an excellent thing, of course, but it is extraordinary how much damage is done to the case of the man legitimately seeking work by those who are only anxious to get hold of a little money easily. How many of

these gentry there are in circulation it is impossible to say but they make a larger force than most people think, especially if there are included in their numbers those men who while eager to obtain employment prefer idleness to accepting the relief scale. The position this year is not as serious as it was twelve months ago, but the worst months of the year have not yet come

so that the country can look forward to a more clamant demand fqr the absorption of workless men at a later stage, It must be remembered, however, that the Government discloses the fact that quite a large proportion of men sent on to relief works abandon these jobs of their own accord, some of them to go to better positions and others to rejoin the ranks of those waiting for employment. The Prime Minister last year was criticized because he insisted that the rate of pay for relief work could not be as high as that offered

for similar work in normal times. There are cogent reasons for. this and the two most important are: (1) that the man who goes to employment on relief works usually is not suited to it and cannot be expected to give value for the full rate of pay; and (2) the necessity of ensuring that these relief works do not enter into competition with the ordinary activities of the State. Last year there were instances of men abandoning jobs for the purpose of taking places on relief works undertaken by the State or the municipalities and it is obvious that this will always occur where the rate of pay fof the special activities opened up to absorb the workless is as high as that offering elsewhere. Last year the public was told that this proposal was the first step in a raid on wages, but the hollowness of that fear is now clear to everybody. Wages are not raided because the scale for relief work is set lower than that of normal activities. As a matter of fact the absorption of the unemployed on pay slightly lower than the ruling scale is a protection to the standard of wages, because it minimizes the interference with the ordinary operations of private enterprise. Men who refuse to take the reduced rate forget that they are tested by their readiness to accept anything rather than remain idle. While the State and the local bodies make these efforts the reduction is only temporary and the regular scale of pay remains unassailed. No one objects to any man seeking to obtain as high a rate of pay as possible, but the man who prefers idleness to employment on public relief works at a lower standard is in danger of being branded as something other than a willing worker legitimately seeking employment.

The Dominion Meteorologist last night issued the following forecast : An intense cyclone is covering the northern Tasman Sea and advancing towards New Zealand. The forecast is for moderate to strong northeast to southeast winds reaching gale force at maVy places. Seas will be heavy on the east coast north of Akaroa and rough elsewhere in New Zealand waters with strong winds to gale in the Tasman Sea northerly later backing to southeasterly in the central and southern areas with generally heavy seas. The weather will be unsettled, cloudy and misty with rain in all districts with heavy falls in many parts and snow in the high country of the South Island.

In our issue of Saturday it was stated that Mr F. G. O’Beirne appeared for defendant in the case Bowden v. Ferrier heard in the Magistrate’s Court on Friday. Defendant was represented by Mr T. Meredith.

At a meeting of retail dairymen held in Invercargill last week it was decided to reform the Retail Milkmen’s Union. The following office-bearers were appointed:— Messrs James Robertson (president), B. Coster (vice-president), A. E. Soper (secretary) and A. Murphy (treasurer). A committee was also appointed, and it was decided to hold monthly meetings.

The Gore Dog Trials Club has received excellent support for its annual fixture to be held on the Gore Racing Club’s property on Tuesday and Wednesday next. The entries show a very satisfactory increase over those received last year and some of the competitions should be particularly interesting. The racing club’s property is admirably suited for the holding of the trials, and provided that the weather conditions are at all favourable, the club should be able to look forward to a successful fixture.

In fining two employees of a contractor for cruelty to horses at Christchurch on Saturday, the Magistrate, Mr Orr Walker, said: “I think that the employer should be more heavily punished than his employees. It is peculiar that the charges were laid against the men. I wonder what a man would do if he had a sore hand. He would probably stay away from work, demand his wages, and take good care of himself; but when it is a poor dumb animal which is injured it is driven and forced to work in a dastardly manner,” says a Press Association message*

The express was 25 minutes late in reaching Invercargill on Saturday evening.

That five school inspectors in the North Island have an interest in Whitcomb and Tombs was the statement made by a teacher at the meeting of the Southland branch of the New Zealand Educational Institute on Saturday.

At a sitting of the Children’s Court on Saturday morning before Mr G. Cruickshank S.M., two boys who appeared on a charge of theft were placed under the care of the Child Welfare Officer for 12 months and another boy was similarly dealt with for two years.

Frequently complaints of excessive freight upon farm requirements are heard. Recently a farmer near Wairoa, says a Napier paper, purchased six tons of lime in Napier at a cost of £ll 18/-, while freight and wharfage, etc., from Napier to Waikokopu by boat and thence by rail to Whahaki cost £l2 5/6, a total cost of £24 3/6. The farmer bitterly complains that his land cannot afford that cost and explains that freight from Auckland is 27/6 per ton, while from Napier to the same port is 30/- per ton.

“The hole aint’ half big enough,” complained a gentleman of rural appearance with wiry whiskers who called at one of the counters at the Auckland Post Office on Saturday morning. He held a letter in his hand, and wanted to post it. An obliging official accompanied the visitor to the vestibule to see what was wrong. It was found that the country man had got a t penny stamp out of the slot machine, and had been trying unsuccessfully to push the letter back through the narrow slit where the stamp came from.

Suggestions for reviving the interest of members were discussed at a meeting of the Invercargill branch of the Farmers’ Union on Saturday when Mr T. A. Stephens presided over an attendance of six. A proposal that meetings be held at Ryal Bush and West Plains was not favourably regarded, but it was eventually decided that the president and Mr C. C. Officer should undertake an extensive canvass for new members. Mr Shepherd said he did not believe the branch would be well supported so long as meetings were held at 11 o’clock on Saturdays as farmers usually required to do their business before the closing of offices at noon. Other menders supported this view and it was decided to hold the next meeting at 1 p.m.

The virtues of a family milk goat on half of a quarter-acre section are told in the New Zealand Smallholder by R. G. L. Walker, of Remuera. It browsed on its little field, and had breadcrusts, fruit peelings and porridge scrapings. “It gave three pints of milk for a start (says Mr Walker). At three months it was giving two, and in another three months a little over a pint a day. The milk is very rich. The goat is practically disease-free, and immune from tuberculosis. There is a Swiss breed in England called the Toggenberg giving results which compare favourably with those of the cow. I understand that some of the breed two years ago, exhibited at the Auckland Show, could not find a buyer at 30/- each. Personally I would like to have that chance now.”

A word in favour of the army sergeantmajor was spoken at a public debate at Devonport, Auckland, on Tuesday evening on the question of military training. “The Sergeant-Major of to-day has been grossly libelled,” declared Mr S. Black. “He has been accused of all sorts of terrible things. It is said he swears viciously. As one who meets such men at least once a week 1 know of no class that has so improved since the war. They are pleasant men and there need be no fear of their exerting a demoralising influence on the boys they train.” Discussing a similar point, the Rev. W. Lawson Marsh (Presbyterian) said that he had no sympathy with those who talked of the moral blots of military life. He had had eight years of military experience and could speak with knowledge. Far worse things were happening in Auckland civil life every day than ever occurred in a military camp. Girls’ Coloured Viyella Hose. The hose that does not shrink. Sizes 3 to 6 at Wicks’ Hose and Vest Shop, Dee Street.— Advt. Arthur Malcolm, the Rheumatic expert, will be out of town till Friday night. He will be at his rooms .46 Leet street (residence of Mrs Holmes) for free consultation on Saturday next, June 2, only. Hours 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.—Advt. Outstanding books just issued in cheap editions now on sale at Hyndman’s, Deo street. “Sally in Rhodesia” now 2/6 “The Key Above the Door” now 2/6 .. .. “Emily’s Quest” now 2/6 “The Blue Castle” now 2/6 Sabatini’s great story “Bellarion” now 3/6 Lawrence’s “Revolt in the Desert” now 17/G (Advt.) Groceries, Mr. J. S. Baxter wishes to draw your attention to prices enumerated over the leading article. The goods as usual are of highest quality and the prices bedrock for prompt payment. Small profits quick returns at Baxters.—Advt. The following are a few special lines in Thomson and Beattie’s Clothing Department: Men's All Wool Doctor Flannel Shirts, size 144 to 17 in smart stripes 19/6. Men’s Cardigans and Pullovers in Roslyn, Rosedale and English makes, 9/11 to 25/-. Men’s Union Shirts, good quality, dark or light colours 8/11. Boy’s Navy Reefer Coats, usually 11/6, 15/6 and 20/6 going for 9/6, 12/6 and 16/6 each.—Advt. Everything is reduced at the Book Depot Sale. For instance, 10 per cent, discount is allowed off the latest 6/- novels and off all general literature and religious books; 1928 Diaries are selling at half-price, latest 2/6 editions are now 2/1, 5 for 10/-, 6/Fiction (older stock) now 2/6 5 for 10/-, Boy’s Own Annual now 9/6, Portia Writing Pads now 1/- formerly 2/-. Sale closes shortly. N.Z. Book Depot, Esk Street, Invercargill.—Advt. MAYFAIR SNAPS! MAYFAIR SNAPS’ Watch the Windows of STEWART’S PHARMACY For latest views of CARNIVAL EVENTS. A lady client from Auckland writes: “I think your Albanian Hair Restorer is just wonderful, it has brought my hair back to its natural colour.” Purchase a bottle and remove those grey hairs—sent post free for 3/- from T. J. Price, Chemist, Riverton.— (Advt.) Victory belongs to the most persevering.” —Napoleon. The most persevering of all cough and cold specifics is Baxter’s Lung Preserver. With “Baxter’s” victory is certain. As a remedy for coughs, colds, sore throats, bronchitis, and all chest and lung troubles it has stood supreme for over sixty years. Baxter’s Lung Preserver safeguards your health, because it is an excellent tonic, too. Rich, red, warming and soothing. All chemists and stores sell the three sizes. Bachelor’s bottle 1/6. Generoussized bottle 2/6. But the best plan is to get the large, economical size at 4/6.—Advt. CROW’S FEET AT TWENTY! My Dear, she had the most perfect eyes you ever saw! Just the sort of eyes which are worth the little extra care that means so much! But she refused to have them seen to in spite of all the reading and sewing that used to tire her so—and look at the result! As if all those wrinkles and that poor, strained, tired-looking face are worth such trifling vanity. Why, everybody tells me that these-dainty glasses actually improve my appearance. DO NOT RISK YOUR GOOD HEALTH OR YOUR GOOD LOOKS BY NEGLECTING YOUR EYESIGHT. Let us advise you. Consultations daily. BROWN’S PHARMACY, Geo. H. Brown, Chemist and Optician, 125 Dee street. —Advt.