TOPICS OF THE TIMES

Southland Times, Issue 21195, 23 September 1930, Page 6

TOPICS OF THE TIMES

The theory that the present economic position was brought about by the overproduction of raw materials has been criticised by the Times Trade Suppleiient as not being an entirely satisfactory explanation. Since many millions of human beings are inadequately supplied with food, raiment, and shelter, it seems |absurd to blame over-production when real difficulty is clearly under-distributioi. “The point is not merely of academic interest, it is of practical importance,” the writer continues... “If the idea of over-production becomes an obsession the tendency yill be to seek a remedy in restriction of. Output, which as a policy is retrograde and futile.

The, proper approach to the problem is from the other side. If something could be llone to enable these millions of very poor people to purchase all that they need it would probably be seen that over-produc-tion was non-existent. It follows that the proper remedy for the present deadlock is to increase the potential purchasing capacity of the poorer consumers. . . . The present position is that workers in manufacturing industry and in sheltered occupations are relatively so much better paid than those engaged in primacy production that the latter are unable by the sale of their products to make enough to buy manufactured articles. Hence the slack demand for raw materials of which, they are made. The want of relativity, between the emoluments of the primary industries and those of the secondary industries .is the real cause of tho present stagnation of trade. When, therefore, measures are taken to maintain an arbitrarily high standard for a section of the workers the inevitable result is to ■ reduce the number of them that can be profitably employed on that scale and to perpetuate a state of affairs in which the primary producers are unable to obtain a full share of the world’s wealth.” /

A colossal enterprise is being realized on the western outskirts of Madrid, where, a thousand acres of steep slopes are being levelled. and terraced to form the site of University City, which King Alfonso, chose as the monument to celebrate his jubilee on the throne. Work has gone on night and day for more than two years, says the Madrid correspondent of The Times. In record times thousands of tons of soil have been moved and the site now stands ready for the foundations of the buildings. The King enlisted the help of the committee in preparing the vast plan. Its most active member is- the King’s dentist, Viscount' de Casa Aguilar. He and a commission of architects visited Europe and America and studied every, development of university life, in order that the Ciudad Universitaria de Madrid might profit by the. experience of others. It promises to be unique not only in its extent and in its up-to-date organization, but also because no other country in the world has a score of other coun-' tries, speaking her language and acknowledging a common origin of culture and faith, in sympathy with the idea. Many of these countries (Cuba, Chile, Peru, Argentina, Uruguay), have shown an eager desire to co-operate, and there will be hostels built and maintained by HispanoAmerican nations. General Primo de Rivera gave valuable support to the scheme, but it was on King Alfonso’s initiative that the main source of revenue was permanently secured. The proceeds of an annual lottery of 55,000 tickets, costing about £4O e'ach, but sold in tenth parts, with 8278 prizes, ranging from £30,000 downward, are set aside for the University City. It is estimated that in ten years this lottery will produce sufficient funds to defray the initial cost of the enterprise, about £14,000,000.

The Dominion Meteorologist last evening issued the following forecast: A slight anticyclone is passing - the Dominion to the northwards. A rather deep depression is located iu the Tasman Sea. Winds northerly south of Westport and Akaroa, elsewhere shutherlies at first, veering soon to northerly, moderate but freshening from Cook Strait southwards. Seas generally smooth to moderate, but becoming rough later in Fouveaux Strait. Winds veering to north-west and freshening in the eastern Tasman Sea. Seas moderate but rising later in the southern portion. Some scattered showers at first in the eastern districts of the North Island, otherwise fair to fine, later a renewal of unsettled and showery conditions in the western and southern districts of the South Island. Temperatures milder to-morrow.

In the Dunedin Police Court yesterday, Kwok Poy was fined £5O for being in possession of opium pipes and other utensils, and Joe Young £l2 for smoking opium, states a Press Association telegram.

At Auckland yesterday the Magistrate, Mr Hunt, inflicted a fine of £75 on Joseph Spencer Greenwood, aged 60 years, for keeping a common gaming-house, and £25 on his assistant, George Geelong Paul, aged 54 years. Both had been before the Court previously.

The fortnightly meeting of the Band of Hope was held in the North Invercargill Sunday School Hall on Friday. Owing to sickness Mr Fretwell was unable to address the meeting. Recitations were given by Winnie Miller,'Enid Fletcher, Nellie Laytham, J. Spiers, Colin Martin, Mrs Martin gave a reading, and a song was contributed by Winnie Miller. After breaking into a shop which they found empty, thieves during Saturday night entered the next door drapery shop of Henry Hope, in Queen street, states an Auckland telegram. They inspected his stock and selected women’s silk stockings of better quality to a total value of £5O and packed them in boxes. Then they rubbed their finger-prints off the windows and doors with a towel and departed with the booty.

Members of tramping clubs in the north frequently wax enthusiastic with regard to the healthy enjoyment and social intercourse derived from active membership of such organizations. The lure of tho open spaces has now evidently beckoned locally, for a movement is afoot to form a Southland Tramping Club and, with such purpose in view, a meeting of those interested is to be held in the Y.M.C.A. this evening at seven o’clock. It is understood that between 40 and 50 enthusiastic ladies and men have already signified their intention of joining up as members and a most successful summer season is anticipated.

You cannot keep going efficiently if you feel run down. Neither can your mo-tor-car keep going if the battery is not working efficiently. Economy and efficiency work together, so bring your car in to P. H. Vickery Ltd. Battery Service Station and have your battery tested free of charge.—Advt..

Giving sight to the blind is a remarkable achievement—beyond the limits of my skill. BUT—I can save, you from going blind. By scientific equipment, modern methods and long experience .1 can quickly and surely detect eye and sight troubles, then prescribe and make glasses that will’ bring relief and . add to your appearance. If your sight is becoming defective don’t go a day longer without seeing me. Good health and enjoyment of living are often dependent upon good eyesight. Geo. H. Brown offers you the efficient personal attention of a qualified optician who is aided by the latest scientific equipment and methods for sight-testing. Visit me at once for a sightexamination. Geo. H. Brown, qualified and registered optician, Brown’s Pharmacy, 125 Dee street. (Advt.) “That doth both soothe and remedy.” —Marvell. One would think that this poet was describing the relieving qualities of Baxter’s Lung. Preserver—the specific that has been soothing and remedying coughs, colds, influenza, and all such throat and lung ailments for the last 60 years. Its wonderful tonic properties also tone, up the system against further trouble. Obtainable all chemists and stores. The contents are now preserved with a new screw cap. Get the economical, family size at 4/6. Other smaller sizes at 2/6 and 1/6,—Advt.

In the Police Court yesterday, before Mr W. T. Gilbert, Justice of the Peace, a statutory first offender for drunkenness, who was arrested in Esk Street on Saturday evening, was convicted and fined £l.

“We quite understand how the British team was beaten in New Zealand,” said Mr R. Blackadder, of Scotland, who arrived at Wellington by the Mataroa last week. “It was because they had only one Scotsman,” he explained.

In view of the difficulty of retaining the services of maids for household duties (says the Marlborough Express), an advertiser was delighted the other day to receive an application in which a promising type of girl subscribed herself: “Yours for ever.”

A Pahiatua telegram states that the Tararua Power Board offices were burgled over the week-end, access being gained through a rear window. A small amount of cash was taken, also a quantity of electrical appliances. An attempt to burst the strong-room proved unsuccessful.

The fortnightly meeting of Court Queen of the South No. 8212 (Ancient Order of Foresters) was presided over by C. R. Sister G. Edge. Official visits were received from Courts Star of the South, Southern and D. B. Bro. S. C. Gillies. It was decided to pay official visits to Courts Southern, Star, Bluff and Pride of Gore on their next meeting nights. The following office-bearers were elected for the ensuing term: C. R. Sister G. Edge; S. C. R. Sister I. Jenkins; treasurer, Sister C. Martin; secretary. Bro. W. Bridges; minute secretary, Sister G. Carr; S. W. Sister E. B. Cunningham; J. W. Sister E. Boylan; S. B. Sister M. Bishop; J. B. Sister C. Matheson; delegates to annual meeting, P. C’s, Sister R. M. Cook and C. Martin; Juvenile Management Committee, Sisters Martin, Edge, Tounson, Carr, Cook, Cunningham, Bishop, McCartm Sim and Murphy. District Beadle, Bro. S. C. Gillies and C. R. Bro. A. S. MacGregor acted as scrutineers and installing officers. The Visitor’s toast was responded to by S. C. R. Bro. Horan (Star of South), C. R. Bro. B. Easflake (Southern), and D. B. Bro. Gillies (District Executive). Three candidates were proposed for initiation. This will interest you. We have just landed a shipment of Heavy Duty “FORD” Trucks with extra long Wheel Base, Dual Rear Wheels, Four forward speed gear box, and EXTRA HEAVY Chassis. An innovation to intending Truck Buyers. G. W. WOODS and CO., Authorized FORD Dealers. —Advt. “Every year it is getting a firmer grip of the New Zealand Market, DEWAR'S WHISKY.”—Advt. The very latest shades in Hosiery—our “Best Yet,” selling for 3/6 is remarkable Value. ' Wicks’ Hose and Vest Shop, Dee Street. —Advt. REDEEM YOUR SWEETWEETS COUPON NOW BEFORE YOU MISLAY IT.—Advt. Dressmaking. Ladies and Children’s Frocks, Coats, and underwear made to order. Renovations, alterations, etc. Your own material made up- at Miss Noble’s, The Baby Shop, Dee Street.—Advt. Here’s a bright home-work Exercise Book for Scholars, and the price just 3d. each. “The London Town Exercise Bock” is made of high quality paper. On the cover of each book is a picture in colour of a noteworthy place together with a good description. Here are some of the series of 12. The Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, Trafalgar Square, Buckingham Palace, etc. The children will like ’these bright books. Obtainable at Hyndman’s Booksellers. Deo Street. —Advt. There has been a very big decline in values in almost every line this year, but taking the trend of the Home markets into consideration, we can look for a decided improvement in the near future. This will not make any difference to the large stocks of goods at present held, bought when the market was at rock bottom so any lady who is contemplating buying a Fur Coat or Fox Necklet can do so now knowing full' well that prices are sure to go up not down. We carry the largest range of quality fur goods m Southland at unbeatable prices. The Mutual Fur Coy., Tay Street.—Advt. CAMERA ENTHUSIASTS. You can always depend on HIGHEST QUALITY PRINTS from STEWARTS PHARMACY. Leave your next Film with us for DEVELOPING AND PRINTING. —Advt. In The Jungle Tide by John Still will be found one of the most beautiful of recent Travel Books. The mysterious Ceylon jungle, the buried Cities, the teeming animal life are all described in exquisite language. The Morning Post states: “It is a book unique not only for its wealth of knowledge but also for its wonderful word pictures of Nature’s ambuscades.” Though published at 7/6 it retails here at 6/-. Supplies are available at the N.Z. BOOK DEPOT LTD., ESK ST., INVERCARGILL.— Advt. ■