TOPICS OF THE TIMES

Southland Times, Issue 20834, 24 July 1929, Page 4

TOPICS OF THE TIMES

The Canadian Government has arranged a national forestry conference, at which officials of the Federal Forestry Department, provincial representatives, and the experts of private corporations will attempt to determine what exactly are the pulpwood resources of Canada- (states The Economist). Upon this subject two conflicting schools of thought have long existed. Mr F. D. J. Barnjum, a well-known lumberman of Nova Scotia, has for years plastered the Canadian papers with doleful letters about the plight of Canada’s forests, and other pessimists have echoed his views. These people have contended that Canada’s forest resources are being exhausted at a dangerously rapid rate, and that, unless a halt is called, and a policy of rigid conservation and replacement adopted, the dominions will soon discover that one of its most valuable assets has been improvidently wasted away. They hold that the depletion of the forests has already had serious consequences for fanning, as it has removed the most effective vehicle of moisture storage in many areas, and that a shortage of pulpwood supplies for newsprint and other mills is inevitable. But another body of equally authoritative opinion holds that these apprehensions are unjustified, that Canada has still huge untapped reserves of forest wealth in her northern hinterland, and that the operations of nature assure an adequate rate of replacement in the regions which have been stripped. The projected conference, which will meet in Ottawa some time in June, will attempt to ascertain which of these two schools has a sounder basis for its views. The statistical information which it will have at its disposal will be exhaustively analysed to discover how long at the present rate of consumption the pulpwood forests of Canada will be able to meet the demands now being made upon them, and whether or not they will reproduce themselves with sufficient rapidity to make the supply of pulp material inexhaustible. Evidence will also be adduced to show what natural reproduction and scientific culture are doing to husband Canada’s forest wealth, and to afford some guidance about the relative importance of replanting and forest protection. Experts of the Forestry Department at Ottawa assert that its fieldmen are at present planting 5,000,000 new trees annually, but they also admit that, for the achievement of real progress in reafforestation, it would be necessary to allow for the growth of 5,000,000,000 new trees every year, and that the simplest expedient is to conserve by every means known to modern science the natural new growth in all the forest areas of the dominion.

Now that the turmoil of the General Election is over, it is expected that the attention of the business interests of the Empire will be concentrated on the advisability of convening a conference of representative men from all parts, at which the question of trade development 'within the Empire will be debated (states the Sheffield Telegraph), The idea is not new—Lord Melchett has for long advocated something of the kind —but the inspiration for the latest scheme has its origin in Canada. What is suggested is that the gathering should be strictly confined to business men; it is urged that Government activity in the past has not effected much, and that, if the problems were left to those most intimately affected, progress would be more rapid. There is everything to be said in favour of the proposal. It has often been talked about, but when the pinch arrived it has invariably been discovered that there appeared no possibility of reconciling the diverse interests affected. Already some of the leaders of industry have given the idea their benediction. The Prince of Wales has appealed for action in this direction, while the reports of the Balfour Committee and the Industrial Mission to the Antipodes prove the vastness of the field ready for investigation. All that is necessary’ is unanimity among those who would be called on to conduct the inquiries. The absence of this has been a stumbling block in past endeavours to arrive at a ground of common action; but that is no reason for sitting flown with folded hands and bewailing a situation that has only to be resolutely faced to be successfully overcome. We have been too lax in our Imperial trading methods; too much has been left to haphazard, sporadic effort, and too little attention devoted to combined endeavour. Much was hoped from the Imperial Institute, which has accomplished a good deal, it is true, but has not completely fulfilled expectations. The heart of the Empire should possess an establishment, something in the nature of. an Imperial clearing house, at which Imperial trading matters could be discussed. Things are moving in this direction, and, should the proposed conference materialize, it. is one of the first problems that will demand consideration.

Tho Dominion meteorologist last night issued the following information:—A deep depression is advancing on the Dominion. An anti-cyclone over Australia has increased in intensity and is now centred near Adelaide. Winds moderate to fresh, northerly to westerly, increasing and reaching gale force at places south of Cape Egmont and Castle Point, later backing to south-westerly in the south. Seas in New Zealand 'waters becoming rough on the west coast and about Cook and I'oveaux Straits. Elsewhere moderate. Strong west winds to gales, later backing to south-west in the eastern Tasman Sea with rough seas. Weather cloudy and unsettled in western districts and Otago with rain else‘where. Fair at first, but later unsettled, squally conditions becoming general.

An Auckland telegram states: After a lively discussion the Transport Board decided, on the chairman’s casting vote, that a condition of the issue of school children’s tram concession cards shall be that the holders shall not retain seats when all seats are occupied and adults are standing.

At Wellington, Jack George Charpe, aged 37, an advertising agent, on a charge of obtainging '£lso by false pretences from the Merron Estate, Ltd., was ordered to be extradited to Sydney. A detective arrived yesterday to escort him back. —Press Association.

Infectious diseases reported from the three districts comprising the Wellington Health district reaching from Wellington to Wanganui and Napier show a considerable increase, pneumonia, scarlet fever and diphtheria especially being prominent. Pneumonia cases for the week numbered 22, an increase of 12, states a Wellington Press Association message.

Mr. Robert Sowersby, a well-known resident, had a narrow escape at the St. Aubyn street railway crossing to-day. He was driving his car from Russell street to the crossing at the same time as the goods train was arriving at the station. He ran into the third wagon behind the engine. Mr. Sowersby escaped injury, but the car was extensively damaged.—Hastings Press Association telegram.

When talking on the subject of school buildings during his visit to Rongotai Boys’ College, the Minister of Education, the Hon. 11. Atmore, said that every precaution would be taken in the reconstruction of the school buildings damaged by the recent earthquake. “No plans for schools in the earthquake area,” he added, “will be allowed to leave my office unless they are certified by experts as capable of resisting earthquake shocks.”

The following story has reached the ears of the Chief of St. Andrew’s Scottish Society: A Scotsman, an Englishman, a Welshman and an Irishman were invited to a banquet, an unusual banquet by reason of the fact that each guest had to take something to supplement the feast. The Englishman took meat, the Welshman leeks, the Irishman potatoes and the Scotsman his brother. —The Chief states that such libels must stop forthwith.

An official party from the Southland Education Board paid a visit to the board’s woodware factory and manual training school in Don street yesterday. The board’s architect, Mr J. Gough, took charge and con. ducted the party over the premises. In the woodware factory, where all the furniture for the Southland schools is made, largely out of Southland timber, all the latest labour-saving machines are used and the saving to the board effected by the introduction of the policy of maintaining a permanent maintenance staff has been found to be tremendous. The manual training classes, under Messrs S. K. Smith and J. Urquhart, and the cookery classes, supervised by Misses Lousley and Ross, were also visited.

A splendid musical programme has been arranged by Miss M. A. Jopp for her concert in aid' of the Mayor’s Unemployment Fund, to be held in the Victoria Hall on Wednesday, July 31. Tickets arc on sale at all music stores. Admission, 2/-.—Advt. Wonderful value—A window _ full of Ladies’ New Fabric Gloves, all sizes, 2/6 pair. See them to-day at Wicks’ Hose and Vest Shop, Dee street. —Advt. The Big Event that all Southlanders wait for —Thomson and Beattie's Great Winter Sale. This popular sale of high-class drapery starts Thursday morning at 9 o’clock. —Advt. Try Miss Noble’s, “The Baby Shop,” Dee Street, for ladies’ and children’s dressmaking. You will be pleased with the work and the prices are right.—Advt. Beautiful—beautiful, simply beautiful are words used by those who have seen Baxter’s newly-dressed window. The words arc very appropriate. The window among things contains samples of Baxter’s choice new rich dried fruits. S.P.Q.R. —Advt. “Imitation is the sincerest flattery. While they are always being imitated, our waters are never equalled. Always insist on Thomson’s.” — (Advt.) Join .. .. HYNDMAN’S BOOK CLUB Newest Books Available Good Service .. Hyndman’s, Booksellers, Dee Street .. Book Club Upstairs — (Advt.) Dame Fashion decreed that woman should sacrifice Nature’s greatest adornment, .her beautiful flowing tresses. The pendulum is swinging back, and now she wishes them renewed. Use Price’s Albanian Hair Restorer, which will rapidly assist their growth. Obtain from your chemist, or post free for 3/- from Price's Pharmacy, Riverton.— Advt. Something like 15,000 4-page sale circulars have been posted to homes throughout Southland. These sale circulars tell of the great savings to be had on Thursday and following days at the sale of sales —Thomson an<l Beattie’s Mid-Winter Sale. —Advt.

What great “sellers” the “William” books are! Here is the complete series to date: Just William, More William, William Again, William the Fourth, William the Conqueror, William in Trouble, William the Outlaw and William the Good. 3/6 each 3/10 posted from the N.Z Book Depot. Esk Street, Invercargill.—Advt.

PECTOL knows its work and gets on with it from the first dose taken. Made with the best cough and cold curing ingredients known. to science, in the correct proportions. IT CURES IN HALF THE TIME of any mixtures made for the purpose. Test it for yourself. A 2oz sample given to anyone supplying their own bottle. Large bottle 2/6 from BROWN, The Chemist, BROWN’S PHARMACY, 125 Dee street.—Advt. '

"Nothing’s so hard but search- will find it out.” —Herrick.

Many people have given up hope of ever finding a really effective cough remedy when, with a little further search, they would have discovered “Baxter’s” Baxter's Lung Preserver is a rich, red, warming compound which quickly soothes and relieves the worst cough or cold. It is very effective also in cases of influenza. Possesses unique tonic properties. Keep “Baxters” always in the home! Get a bottle from your chemist or storekeeper to-day! Generous-sized bottle, 2/6; large, economical size, 4/6; bachelor’s size,. 1/6.