TOPICS OF THE TIMES

Southland Times, Issue 21072, 2 May 1930, Page 6

TOPICS OF THE TIMES

“Labour awakened, inquiring and indignant, is not necessarily progressive; if the ordinary undistinguished worker is no longer to be driven as a beast of burthen, he has—which also goes against the grainto be educated to as high a level of cooperative efficiency as possible,” says Mr 11. G. Wells, in his latest book. "He has to work better, even if he works for much shorter hours and under belter conditions, and his work must, be subordinated work still; he cannot become en masse sole owner and master of a scheme of things he did not make and is incapable of directing. Yet this is the ambition implicit in an exclusively ‘Labour’ movement. Either the Labour revolutionary hopes to cadge the services of exceptional people without acknowledgment or return on sentimental grounds or he really believes that anyone is as capable as anyone else—if not more so. The worker at a low level may be flattered by dreams of ‘class-conscious’ mass dominion from which all sense of inferiority Is banished, but they will remain dreams. The deep instinctive jealousy of the commonplace individual for outstanding quality and novel initiative may be organized and turned to sabotage and destruction, masquerading as and aspiring to be a new social order, but that will be a blind alley, and not. the road of progress. Our ho|X) for the human future does not lie in crowd psychology and the indiscriininating rule of universal democracy.”

“Nationalism to-day is suspect, and it is the primary function of a la-ague of Nations to minimize its implications. And this is the moment selected for the reassertion of an obsolescent and disintegrating principle in the bosom of an Empire which provides the most powerful instrument yet devised for the maintenance of world peace,” says Sir John Marriott in an article in the Nineteenth Century discussing the interpretations put upon “Dominion status” since the resolution of the Imperial Conference of 1926. “The irony of the situation is manifest. Can anything be done to alleviate it ? Of the legal links of Empire the only two which possess much practical validity to-day arc the Crown and the Judicial Commit toe of the Privy Council. The youngest, of the Dominions has openly flouted the Privy

Council, and its loyalty to the Crown is not above suspicion. The Imperial' Conference of 1926 was greatly influenced by a desire to make the Imperial ‘yoke’ as light as possible for the least loyal of the Dominions. Phrases, undeniably if not designedly ambiguous, were inserted in the report on In-ter-Imperial Relations, in the interests of unanimity and in the hope of reconciling the irreconcilable. The central doctrine of the British Constitution—the sovereignty of Parliament —was seemingly surrendered with similar intent. Is it worth while? Are we not running a serious risk of poisoning the whole body-politic of the Empire for the sake of saving a diseased limb? Would not amputation be a healthier alternative? Most ardently do I hope that the ensuing Imperial Conference will take a stronger line than the last with the malcontents. Membership of the British Empire is not an irksome obligation; it is a high privilege. Let those who do not so regard it ‘loose the bond and go.’ The constituent States which remain within the confederation will be the happier, the Empire as a whole will be the stronger, for a surgical operation which, though painful and maybe dangerous, is at least preferable to septic poisoning.”

The Dominion Meteorologist last night issued the following information: The recent depression is now located east of New Zealand. An intense anticyclone is practically stationary over Australia. Winds variable with moderate west to south prevailing. Seas in New Zealand waters smooth to moderate. Light to moderate southwest to southerly winds and smooth to moderate seas in the eastern Tasman. Weather mainly fine, but at times changeable with isolated showers, mainly in the southern and western districts. Cold night temperatures with some night frosts.

The customs collections in the Southland District, for the month of April amounted Io £10,427, compared with £10,782 in the corresponding period last year. Beer duties totalled £405 and £364 respectively for the two periods, and the duty paid on motor spirits in April amounted to £3,176. In March the figures were £4,334. The total collections for the four months of the year just concluded amounted to £44,561.

In the Magistrate’s’Court yesterday, before Mr E. C. Ixtvvey, S.M., judgment in favour of the judgment creditor was given in the following undefended judgment summons cases: Bessie B. Jones (Mr Preston) v. E. D. Dyer, for £l4 1/9 forthwith in default 14 days’ imprisonment; F. Bowden and Company (M. Hewat) v. John Toting for £6 8/8 forthwith in default six days’ imprisonment.

The Methodist Maori Mission singers and orators gave a highly enjoyable entertainment at Bluff on Tuesday evening andtravelled across to Stewart Island on Wednesday. They were given a rousing reception at the island by a very large crowd. They returned to Invercargill yesterday and proceeded to Nightcaps, where they gave an entertainment, that was greatly appreciated. On Monday these talented performers appear in the Civic Theatre, Invercargill.

The hearing was commenced in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday afternoon before Mr E. C. lx?vvey, S.M., of a claim brought by John McKenzie, of Invercargill, labourer (Mr P. Gilfedder) against, Margaret Macarthur, of Ohai, married woman (Mr A. F. Hogg) to recover the sum of £2O, being the balance due in respect of a contract for gorse cutting. After the evidence of the plaintiff and his witnesses had been taken, the case was adjourned until 10.30 this morning.

For some weeks recently the caretaker of a big Christchurch school was troubled by the mysterious turning on of the gas in one of the classrooms. Every morning when he came on the scene he discovered that the room was full of gas. He watched carefully, and locked the doors of the room, but still the gas was turner! on. Then he decided to stay up all night and watch, lie kept his vigil steadily, and at last saw a bird fly through the window and perch upon the bar which operated the flow of gas. Under the bird’s weight the bar went down—and the gas was on!

A Nelson business man made a dead loss on an over-the-counter transaction a few days ago. In return for some articles a customer tendered a £1 note, receiving silver in change. In due course the note, along with others, was banked. There was no branch of I his particular bank in Nelson, which issued the note, and it was forwarded in the usual way to a branch at Blenheim. The shopkeeper was considerably surprised to receive subsequently a notice that the note was one of a cancelled lot that had been stolen, and that he would have to tender a good one in order to make up his balance. It has been definitely ascertained that the note was included in a shipment of cancelled notes sent to London on the steamer Turakina in 1907. The notes were stolen when the steamer caught, tire, and later a good many of them were circulated.

Judgment by default in favour of the plaintiffs was given by Mr E. C. Levvey, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday in the following civil cases: James Haswell Wood (Mr Macdonald) v. Ralph Horsham (Riverton) for £5 10/- and costs (£1 10/6); George Moir and Son Ltd (Mr S. M. Macalister) v.' D. Sommerville for £2 9/6 and costs (£1 3/6); Creditors’ Protection Ltd. (Mr Stout) v. William Baird (Ohai) for £3 10/- and costs .(£1 5/61 ; Same' v. William Dixon for £l2 17/6 and costs (£2 15/-); Same v. Catherine Thomson (Winton) for £6- - and costs (£1 10/6) ; Live Stock Purchase Co. Ltd. (Mr Stout) v. Robert. Wilson for £37 14/9 and costs (£4 1/6); Hallenstcin Bros. Ltd (.Mr Stout) v. D. Wybrow (Bluff) for £6 6/and costs (£1 10/6) ; A. S. Prentice and Co. Ltd. (Mr Stout > v. A. Mann for £2 12/6 and costs (£1 3/6); Chas. Wm'. Patton (Mr Stout) v. F. Gibbs for 17/6 and costs (8/-); Same v. J. Robertson (Otautau) for £1 16/- and costs (S/-) ; William Burgess (Mr Preston) v. Arthur John Mosely for £1 4/9 and costs (9/-) ; James Mowat Davies (Mr Preston) v. Michael Hughes for 8/- and costs (8/-) ; Morton Mains Afforestation Ltd. in liquidation (Messrs Watson and Haggitt) v. separate estate of Emma Young (Dunedin) for £22 10/- and costs (£4 1/6); Same v. Roderick Carey (Dunedin) for £2s— and costs (£4 2/6) ; Same v. Nathan Greaves (Gore) for £l2 15/- and costs (£2 14/-) ; Same v. separate estate of Annie E. Gold (Balclutha) for £35 and costs (£4 1/6); Same v. Horace Pope (Niagara) for £3 and costs (£1 5/6); Alexander G. Fraser (Mr Tait) v. P. Gutzell (Riverton) for £6 17/8 and costs (£1 10/61 ; F. Bowden & Co. v. 11. 11. Crawford (Bluff) (or £8 18/2 and costs (15/-); Southland Electric Power Board (Mr Macalister) v. Janies Burns (Pyramid) for £47 14/- and costs (£4 14/6) ; The Insurance Office of Australia Limited (Mr J. C. Plain) v. Herbert J. Dunick (Waimatua) 'for £5 5/- and costs (£2 14/-) ; Dominion Electrical Engineering Co. Ltd. (Mr Hewat) v. W. Dixon for £4 19/and costs (£1 4/6); Western District Motors Ltd. (Mr Broughton) v. Frank Hoarc (Wairio) for £l5 3/9 and casts £2 16/-; William Smith & Co. Ltd. v. John Youn’g (Longwood) for £l2 11/11 and costs (£1 3/- 1; Herbert William Grace (Mr Hewat) v. D. Hardigan for £2 17/6 and costs (£1 5/6).

Notices gazetted last Thursday grant absolute protection to white swan, Stewart Island shag, and bronze shag.

“A considerable stimulus has been given to business this Easter,” said a director of one of the large Auckland city stores. “The trading has been well ahead of that in the corresponding period last year. In fact, it has been better than for three or four years past.”

An accident liable to happen to any motorist or mechanic, unless he takes special precautions, occurred to a Hastings garage proprietor, B. Ogilvie. He was working under a car in a pit at the garage, and didn’t notice that petrol was dripping on to his clothes from a leaking carburettor. He was overcome by the fumes, and when found two hours later was lying on his face in a pool of benzine, unconscious. Although considerably burned through the action of the petrol, he is progressing favourably.— Press Association.

From the beginning of the fruit export season it was estimated that this would be a record export apple season for Nelson, and it is now certain that not only will the 1928 record be broken, but the increase will amount to over 150,000 cases. On earlier estimates of the apple crop growers in Nelson booked shipping space for 760,000 cases of apples, but now that the crop is being handled many growers are finding it necessary to apply for more space, and it is estimated that an extra 40,000 cases will have to be provided for. If that number comes to hand, and there is every prospect of that total being reached, the total export of apples for the season will be 800,000 cases. The previous largest export season was 1928, when the Nelson total reached 604,583 cases.

In connection with the Methodist Church at Bluff, jubilee celebrations will be held on Sunday and Monday next. The Rev. George Clement, of Dunedin, will be the visiting preacher. He was stationed at Bluff 46 years ago. There are several persons still living who were present at the opening of the church 50 years ago. It is expected that these will be in attendance at the jubilee. For a number of years the Methodist Church was the only place of worship for the district, and members of other churches shared the ministrations provided by the Methodist Church. During the 50 years a large number of boys and girls have passed through the Sunday School and Bible Class and still maintain an interest in the church of the early days. Many of these are expected to join in the jubilee services and at the banquet on Monday in the Town Hall. The present officers of the church extend a very hearty welcome to all friends at a distance as well as those close at hand to participate in the thanksgiving services on Sunday and the rejoicing at the banquet on Monday. The Mayor, Dr Torrance, supported by his colleagues, will give a municipal welcome and toasts will be honoured in a most fitting manner by pioneers and stalwarts of the church. The tables are in the hands of capable ladies, who are anticipating a large number of visitors and will be equal to the demand made on them. A first class programme is arranged by visiting and local artists. An orchestra will furnish music during the banquet.

At the Maori Mission Rally last Monday the Rev. A. J. Seamer stated that in addition to their other engagements the popular Maori Party would give programmes at the Borstal and Old People’s Home and, further, would hold a special choral afterchurch service on Sunday night if a suitable hall was available and devote the collection to the education of four needy but promising little Maori girls. We learn that the management of the Regent Theatre has generously placed the theatre at the disposal of the party free of charge and that therefore the special choral service will be held in the Regent at 8.15 p.m. on Sunday evening. That hour Is fixed to enable church-goers ample time to attend their own services at their usual hour.— (Advt.)

Now is the time to overhaul your car. Let us have your car now —we will examine it and give you the cost of making your car as good as new. P. H. Vickery Ltd., Motor Works, Dee and Leet streets.—Advt.

Indies’ fine cashmere hose in good shades from 3/9 to 5/6, silk and wool hose from 4/6 to 5/11 at Miss Noble’s, “The Baby Shop,” Dee street. —Advt.

"The quality of Thomson’s Cordials never varies. They are always the best procurable.”—Advt.

Berlei Corselettes from 7/6. Brassieres front and back fastening, also elastic at back, from 1/6 to 4/6. Wicks’ Hose and Vest Shop, Dee street. — (Advt.) SHOPPING. Not the least arduous of woman’s activities are those which, although they cover such a wide field, may be listed under the one heading—SHOPPING. If it is a mannequin parade, a fitting, a bargain hunt, a visit to the departmental store, or a mere shop-round for ordinary domestic requirements—it is all the same to the Seven. There is always a lot of fun to be had out of a shopping orgy, but it is too often spoiled by subsequent disappointment through some error in delivery or by that tired-out feeling which so mars the rest of the day. Then why not an Austin Seven. Running costs less than tram fares for one. P. 11. VICKERY LTD. Showrooms.—Advt.

CLOSING TO-MORROW.

BOOK DEPOT’S

BIG BOOK

S A L E.

—Advt

Before purchasing your Fur Coat be sure and interview us. Prices range from 13gns to £42 10/-. For quality goods at lower prices shop at Chas. Lewis's.—Advt.

“Not so quiet . . .” Stepdaughters of War by Helen Zenna Smith. This book is described as "An honest, unsentimental, savage, record of a girl ambulance driver in France. It is a marvellous piece of realistic writing.” The book is written by a well-known English authoress who cloaks her identity under the non) de plume of Helen Z. Smith, and gives the "inside story” of the war from the point of view of the woman “tommy.” Price 6/-, posted 6/4. Hyndman's, Booksellers, Dec street.—Advt.

Fur Collars. Fur trimming, in all classes of skins, in any style, at the shortest notice, also in stock. Sets in the latest blended opossum super goat, American opossum, Czecho Lamb, Genuine Bear, Russian Hare, at unbeatable prices. THE MUTUAL FUR, Tay street. — (Advt.)

AUTUMN is the BEST TIME for PHOTOGRAPHY. Complete stocks of all ‘.he latest CAMERAS and freshest FILMS obtainable from STEWART’S PHARMACY, corner Dee and Don Streets—Advt.

We have pleasure in advising our numerous customers that we have opened another shipment of Cream Embroidery Linen. This "Old Bleach” product is very much in demand, and is specially manufactured for drawn thread work. Thomson and Beattie Ltd., can supply this popular linen in 36 inch at 4/6, 40 inch at 5/6, 45 inch at 6/9. Samples gladly forwarded to any address. —Advt.

SNAP HAPPINESS WHILE YOU CAN,

Nothing occurs again exactly the same. Possibly that is why we cherish happy but somewhat vague memories. Snap the children, snap friends, places, and situations as they appear this Easter, and keep a permanent record of past happiness. Then bring your rolls of films to BROWN, the Chemist. The Best Pictures come from BROWN'S. There is no service quite so good as BROWN’S Permanent Process for bringing out the best results. GEO. H. BROWN, Chcmist-Optican, Brown’s Pharmacy, 125 Dee Street.- —Advt