TOPICS OF THE TIMES

Southland Times, Issue 21178, 3 September 1930, Page 4

TOPICS OF THE TIMES

A slight increase in the Customs revenue collected at Wellington during August may lead some people to the hasty conclusion that the national taxation from this source will be much greater than the estimate (says the Wellington Post.) But it is early yet to arrive at this conclusion. Last year the actual Customs revenue was-£8,897,-046, almost half a million more than the estimate. This was due to the increase in imports. This year some of the rates have been raised, and a surtax on dutiable goods is being levied instead of the primage formerly collected; but the estimate of revenue is £8,530,000, which is £367,046 below last year’s actual collection. The lower estimate lias been given because a reduction, instead of an increase, in imports is anticipated. Up to the present the check on importing has not been notably.in evidence; but that does not mean that it will not come. Some of the goods now arriving were ordered before the signs of slackened demand became marked, and before the adverse exchange operated to check buying. In succeeding months these causes, forcing imports down, will operate to a greater degree, and the increased duties may be found barely sufficient to compensate for the lessened revenue from a smaller volume of imports.

The latest development of Parliamentary delegation of its legislative functions appears in the bill presented by the Minister of Labour, which purports to extend the definition of “industrial matters ’ under the Arbitration Act (states the N.Z. Herald). A liberal extension is proposed, for the bill says “the term ‘industrial matters shall include any matter that is not within the meaning of that term” as defined in the principal Act, if the parties to the dispute agree so to regard it and the Court decides it is relevant to the dispute. It is difficult to imagine a more slovenly piece of legislation. Evidently it is too difficult or too much trouble for the Government and its advisers to draft, a sufficiently comprehensive definition of “industrial matters.” They therefore propose that unlimited power to extend the existing definition shall be vested in conciliation councils. without the slighest safeguard against their incompetence to discharge legislative functions. The bill goes further than that extraordinary proposal, for there is a supplementary clause sanctioning all provisions in existing awards “that are not industrial matters within the meaning of the principal Act” unless dissent by any of the parties was formally recorded. A complete illustration of the significance of this retrospective legislation is to be found in a judgment of the Court of Appeal a few months ago upon clauses recommended for inclusion in an award by a conciliation council. Their effect was mainly to prescribe preference of employment for financial members of the union and to require that the employment of non-union-ists should be conditional upon their becoming members of the union. The Court held that since employers have neither legal authority nor practicable means to investigate the financial relationship of an employee to a union, the clauses were not within the statutory definition of industrial matters. Mr Smith’s bill does not propose to override the Appeal Court’s judgment in the case, but, if it is passed, it will bo impossible to challenge any similarly illegal provisions in existing awards, _ and any casual selection of laymen, appointed as assessors in a conciliation council, will be invested with all the majesty of Parliament itself, for they will be empowered to lay down rules against which no appeal may be made to any tribunal competent to interpret the law.

The Dominion Meteorologist last evening issued the following forecast: Pressure is still rather low and every uniform oyer New Zealand, but is commencing to rise over eastern Australia. Winds moderate south-westerlies, later veering to westerlies and freshening. Seas smooth to moderate. Moderate south-west to westerly winds and smooth to moderate seas in the eastern Tasman Sea. Weather still dull and misty at first, but becoming brighter later. Showers in western districts and misty rain at scattered places elsewhere, but mainly on the coast. Cool to moderate temperatures.

“You taxi men drive too fast,” said Mr E. D. Mosley, S.M., in the Christchurch Court last week, when by-law and police traffic cases were being dealt with. “I have noticed a good few of you lately. There are exceptions, of course,” he added.

A house just vacated by tenants at Eastbourne was lost by fire on Monday night, states a Press Association telegram. It was a property of five rooms and belonged to F. Christensen. A resident, declares , that this is the thirty-first fire since the introduction of electric light into the- borough, and that previously there were only occasional fires. He wants an inquest held into every fire in the borough.

The Dutch Naval Squadron, consisting of the cruiser Java and the destroyers Evertsen and de Ruyter, which is due at Auckland on October 24, will be in charge of Rear-Admiral C. C. Kayser. The squadron will remain in port four days. Captain J. D. de Graaff is in command of her Majesty’s cruiser Java; Lieutenant-Com-mander A. C. van der Sande Lacoste is in command of H.M. destroyer Evertsen, and Lieutenant-Commander J. van Leeuven is in command of H.M. destroyer de Ruyter. Apart from these commanding officers the cruiser has 34 naval officers and one naval chaplain on board, while the destroyers have nine officers each. The total personnel of the three ships is 63 European and five native non-commissioned officers, and 350 European and 260 native corporals and ratings—a combined total of 735 officers and men.

An Oamaru Press Association message states that the following resolution was carried at a mass meeting of Oamaru railway employees last evening: “That this meeting earnestly requests' all railway employees to reciprocate with those tradesmen who have their goods conveyed by rail.”

While playing cn a ladder at the children’s playground (Otakaro) yesterday, Margaret Jacquiery aged 12, residing at 21 George Street, slipped and fell, and received a fracture in the lower part of the left, leg. She was admitted to the hospital and at midnight was reported to be “quite comfortable.”

In the course of a bright opening to his address on the subject of land settlement, at a meeting of the Auckland Accountants and Bookkeepers’ Institute Mr W. J. Holdsworth said he had reason to believe that the first man to float a limited liability company was Noah. He floated it when the rest of the world went into liquidation.—Auckland Star. j

A pint of milk daily to be supplied to over 100 pupils at the Jerusalem Native School will comprise the first experiment of the kind-in New Zealand, states a Gis borne telegram. The pupils will milk the cows on school days and will be weighed monthly by Dr Tursott, school medical officer of health. The first weighing takes place next week to ascertain the nourishing benefits received.

The Auckland Transport Board yesterday received an application from five bus companies for permission to increase the fares in consequeuce of the higher operating costs brought about by the Government’s new’ tariff, states a Press Association message. The secretary reported that the companies had been carrying the petrol tax increase of 2d since July 26, and that the board’s own bus expenses had also been increased. It was decided to consider the question of the increases after Hie proposals had been advertised.

That he was selling fish-heads was the excuse advanced by a labourer when he was found in the bedroom of a house in Nelson street. Mr F. K. Hunt, S.M., thought the circumstances ' were very “fishy” too, remarks the Auckland Sun. The labourer pleaded guilty at the Police Court to stealing a purse containing 5/- in cash. According to Sub-Inspector Shanahan, the accused, who was doing a bit of fish hawking went into a house in Nelson street. “As nobody came to the door, he made himself at ’ home ” said the sub-inspector. “Hearing a noise, the woman of the house investigated and found the accused in a bedroom. When asked what, he was doing, he said he was selling fish-heads.” The accused left the house and a few minutes later the woman missed her handbag and purse containing 5/-. She chased the accused and called out to him. He dropped the bag and nurse but the money was gone. “The accused was later arrested in an hotel, where he was drinking,” said Mr Shanahan, who stated that tie accused had 45 previous convictions and was last before the Court on August 13. “One month in gaol,” said Mr Hunt.

Strong exception was taken by members of the Hawkes Bay Education Board at a recent meeting to a sentence in an article on Rugby football which appeared in the last issue of the School Journal. Discussing the tour of New Zealand by the British team and previous meetings between representatives of the two countries, the article referred to the match in which Wales beat the 1905 All Blacks by three points to nil, and stated, “There is no doubt that New Zealand also scored a try, but it was swallowed by the referee.” “This is the very thing that should not be 1 aught to children in the schools,” remarked Mr R. Sainsbury. “The matter goes further than football.” He moved that the board express its disapproval that such a paragraph should be included in the School Journal. “It was written by the president, of the Referees’ Association,” remarked the secretary of the board, Mr W. L. Dunn. Mr Sainsbury: “I don’t care who wrote it.” “If they cannot get proper writers they should not have any at all.” said Mr J. S. Wauchop. “Children ought to be taught io respect controlling authority. This is the wrong spirit. It is atrocious that it should be put in the School Journal.” “My boy came home and said they must have had ‘dud’ referees in England. That, was the first I knew of it,” said Mr Sainsbury, whose motion was carried unanimously.—The statement that the article was written by the president of the Referees’ Association is incorrect, as the writer docs not occupy the position of president, states the Evening Post.

We extend a hearty invitation to all who are interested in gas cooking to see our lady demonstrator at work. Do not be afraid, to ask questions—answering is a pleasure. Tills week is your chance, next week will be too late. Demonstrations every afternoon except Wednesday; evening demonstrations every night, except Thursday in The Southland Hardware Company’s Windows. —Advt.

“I have walked ten miles,” ho groaned. “I will sell the beastly car.” The trouble was the battery. The reliability and economy of your car depends on the battery being efficient. Wc test your battery free of charge. Should it require attention, our Battery Service Station will hire you out a battery while we recondition yours, or sell you a new Vesta Batter}', the best value obtainable in New Zealand. P. 11. Vickery Ltd., Battery Service Station, Dec and Leet Streets, Invercargill.—Advt.

“Four properties—Wholesomeness, flavour, purity, quality. Thomson’s Waters.” — (Advt.)

Do not miss seeing our Display of New Zealand Made Hose and Underclothing. The quality and price will justify your choice. Wicks’ Hose and Vest Shop, Dec Street. — Advt.

Those raven locks streaked with grey, point to the relentless march of time. PRICE’S Albanian Hair Restorer will bring back their natural colour. Get from your chemist, or post free, from 3/' from MISS M. PRICE, Riverton.

Children’s knitted silk wear, silks, rompers and coat and hat sets all made in Now Zealand. See these at Miss Noble’s, The Baby Shop, Dee Street.—Advt.

In “Golden Dawn,” Peter B. Kyne tells a most thrilling action and adventure story —a Jekyll-and-Hyde story of a society girl cast into the underworld by force of circumstance. A story filled with such thrills, suspense and complete absorption as only Peter Kyne creates. Other new novels just in are “The Dean’s Elbow,” A. E. W. Mason; “Martin Make-Believe,” Gilbert Frankau. 6/- each. Hyndman’s, Dee street, Booksellers and Librarians.—Advt.

Floral Silk Velvet for Frocks and Bridge Coats, Black, Brown and Navy grounds, all small patterns; regularly sold 19/6, special 12/6 yard. Thomson and Beattie, Ltd. also offer Floral Taffetas, 36in width, in pretty shades, at 4/11 per yard.—Advt.

A new novel by O. Douglas is always sure of a warm welcome from her numerous admirers. A big sale is assured for “The Day of Small Things.” Buchan’s “Castle Gay” will appeal to all lovers of tales of the Highlands. A really good novel and a worthy sequel to “Huntingtower.” 6/each, 6/5 posted from the N.Z. Book Depot, Esk Street, Phone 327. —Advt. CAMERA ENTHUSIASTS. Y'ou can always depend on HIGHEST QUALITY PRINTS from STEWART’S PHARMACY. Leave your next Film with us for DEVELOPING AND PRINTING. —Advt.