TOPICS OF THE TIMES

Southland Times, Issue 21198, 26 September 1930, Page 6

TOPICS OF THE TIMES

Perceiving the danger that the system of unemployment insurance in Britain may collapse, the three political parties have cooperated in the appointment of a committee to investigate the financial situation of the scheme. The Times stated recently that when the number of the unemployed is 2,000,000 the insurance fund is running into debt at the rate of about £27,000,000 a year. The total cost of maintaining the unemployed is very nearly £100,000,000 a year, of which the potential beneficiaries contribute only £14,270,000. It is clear, therefore, that the relation of contributions to benefits is not based upon any principle of insurance, and this is the first defect- which should

be eliminated from tho system. By successive amendments, the qualifications for the receipt of allowances from the fund have been relaxed until “the payment of what is practically a dole is not differentiated from the payment of what hits some pretension to be called a benefit. The psychological result, assiduously fostered by Socialist propaganda, is the general impression that the unemployed are indefinitely entitled to ‘maintneance’ at benefit rates.” Retention of the technical qualification that the applicant is “normally in insurable employment," has encouraged rather than impeded the abuse of insurance. For example, private domestic ser-' vice is not insurable, whereas service in hotels or boarding houses is. There is, therefore, a direct temptation to engage only in this form of service, employment in which during part of the year will enable the person concerned to ' live comfortably for the rest upon savings and benefit. This instance has a very wide application, because no person can be forced to accept "unsuitable employment,” and because “unsuitable employment” means not merely employment at leas than tho usual wages, but aiso uninsured employment. Uninsured employment includes agriculture, the railway services and the public services, in addition to private domestic service, in some of. which occupations vacancies constantly arise.

“War cannot be beaten by any mere denunciation of its horrors, or even by recognition of its blind destructiveness,” writes Mr Wickham Steed, in Goodwill. “It has been a force, an expression of power, a school of discipline, of heroism, of self-devotion, an outlet for ambition, a synthesis of desires and appetites, a supreme risk and a call to action. For countless ages it has been the chief preoccupation of mankind. Readiness and fitness to fight and die for tribe, nation or country have determined the scale of social honour and the very structure of society. War has been the shuttle that has woven a scarlet thread into the grey tissue of human existence. Is it not presumptuous to imagine that it will be enough to say: ‘No more war’ in order to stay the shuttle and to offer mankind a drab, dull vestment for colourless days? . . . Peace will not

triumph unless it calls for greater heroism and gives opportunities for tho acceptance of higher risks, for fuller self-sacrifice and for nobler ambitions than mechanised, chemicalized, scientific warfare can now hold out. I think we have to conceive peace as a positive phase of human development, the starting point of a new era, not as a haven in which men can take refuge from storm and stress. Peace may entail profound changes of social structure and of economic outlook. It may alter most of our accepted moral ‘values.’ It will certainly involve a new conception of the relationship between men and machinery in industrial production. It will be, in effect, the beginning of a thorough revolution in our ways of thought and life. This is why It should appeal to adventurous and progressive spirits.”

The Dominion Meteorologist last evening issued the following forecast: An intense depression from the Tasman Sea has moved on to the Dominion and is now centred off the west coast of Otago. Pressure has risen over eastern Australia. Southerly in the far south, elsewhere north to west, but southerlies gradually extending northwards, moderate to strong generally and of gale force at places. Seas becoming rough generally. Winds soon becoming southerly in the eastern Tasman Sea and strong to gale force with rough seas. Weather cloudy and unsettled with general rain and some heavy falls, more especially in the central provinces. Temperatures becoming colder with some snow on the high country of the South Island.

Gazetted last night were the new general harbour regulations conserving the inspection of machinery, working of cargo, etc., states a Wellington telegram.

Although it was expected by most of tho taxi-cab drivers that the darkening of the streets would mean more business for them, such has not been the case (states the Christchurch Press). As a matter of fact there has been a falling off in tho demand for their vehicles.

Fresh legislation would be required, stated a legal opinion obtained by the Wellington Fire Board, to compel companies insured outside the Dominion to contribute to the cost of fire protection. Efficient fire extinction is a distinct lessening of fire risks, and members of the board could see no reasons why companies insured in America and elsewhere should not contribute towards this aspect of the protection of their properties. The matter will be raised at the annual conference of fire boards.

Judgment by default in favour of the plaintiqs was given by Mr E. C. Levvey, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday in the following civil cases:—Albert Coster v, Isaac Habertield for £1 5/8 and costs 3/-; J. S. Young v. Robert Wilson (Hedgehope) for £3B 8/10 and costs £2 1/6; Albert Napper v, Charles McQuarrie for 15/-' and costs 3/- J. M. Grieve v. E. A. Hillgrove (Christchurch) for £22 13/4 and costs £6 5/-; Invercargill Corporation v. owner of lot 5, township of Hallsborough for £4 18/7 and costs £7 7/6; Official Assignee v. G.'McCurdy (Tokanui) for £3 and costs 16/6; Percy James Patterson v. J. Lainchbury (West Palins) for £2 12/5 and costs £1 7/6; New Zealand Insurance Company, Limited v. Edward Murphy (Wreys Bush) for £7 and costs £1 12/6; Shiels, Jenkins and Co., Ltd. v. John Young (Waganui) for £3O 14/10 and costs £4 1/6:

A bare brown arm thrust through a porthole of R.M.S. Niagara, alongside Prince’s wharf last Tuesday morning, gave quite a Grand Guignol thrill to passengers on one of the incoming ferry boats, remarks the Auckland Star. One averred that it was a mysterious signal, and another that it was merely the hand of a steward who was polishing the outer rim of the port. They were both wrong, for closer inspection showed a slender cord grasped in the fingers of the hand ,and by a series of jerky evolutions it was evident that the possessor of the hand and arm was pulling in a fishing line. There was no fish on the hook, but the bait had disappeared, so the unknown angler stuck to his task. Who knows? Anything might happen after the experience of a visit to the St. John Ambulance headquarters on Queen’s wharf. This lucky individual succeeded in hooking, and also landing, a fine schnapper through a hole in the floor boards.

Orders in favour of the judgment creditors were made by Mr E. C. Levvey, S.M., in the Magistrate's Court yesterday in the following undefended judgment summons cases: —Official Assignee v. M. Townsend for £2 11/6, to be paid forthwith, in default 24 hours’ imprisonment; Arthur A. Wright v. William Charles Jerron for £1 13/- forthwith, in default 24 hours’ imprisonment; J. E. McDonald v. D. Adamson for £45 7/9 forthwith, in default 30 days’ imprisonment ; Eric McCurdy v. Horace Greig (Kennington) for £2 16/7 forthwith, in default two days' imprisonment; G. W. Woods and Co. y. Charles Taylor (Mataura) for £l4 14/6 forthwith, in default 14 days’ iniprisonment; Watts and Grieve, Ltd. v. Arthur Diack (Heidelberg) for £2 13/9' forthwith, in default two days’ imprisonment; Arthur Woolley, Limited v. Edgar J. Wilson for £53 14/6 forthwith, in default 30 days’ imprisonment.

V • Among recent New Zealand inventions and additions to the lengthy list .of laboursaving electrical devices is an electrically heated cattle brand. The instrument is not yet on the market, but.it is.the patent of a Kaitoke farmer and ja friend. The principle of the familiar domestic laundry iron is employed.

The question of a really serious earthquake occurring in Wellington and the location of water mains was raised at a meeting of the Wellington Philosophica Society (states the Post). It was suggested that in the consideration of future water schemes it should be borne in mind that to have all one’s eggs in the same basket is to look for trouble. At present the city’s water mains come along the edge of the harbour, along the known earthquake fault. A big shake might destroy them all, hence new mains should be brought into the city by some other route.

Those green shoots of succulence, asparagus, have now made their appearance in Christchurch markets, belated, because of the cold and wet weather, but all the more welcome (states the Sun). Rhubarb and lettuce, other spring products which have not been available as early as usual this year, are both coming in well. Of course, "the particularly choice samples fetch good prices, but as supplies increase the purchaser will be paying less than he must just at present. Spring cabbage has not shown up in the markets yet, and winter cabbage is still being disposed of.

As a result of the recent purchase of the assets of the Auckland Sun by New Zealand Newspapers, Ltd., certain erroneous rumours are in circulation, states an Auckland Press Association message. The real facts are that the plant, buildings and such business of the Sun Newspaper, Auckland, as it proves possible io transfer, have been purchased. The transaction is confined to Auckland solely, and the New Zealand Newspaper Company’s papers in Christchurch (the Times and the Star) are in no way involved or concerned in the deal nor is the Christchurch paper of Sun Newspapers, Ltd.

The death of the camel at the Auckland Zoo was reported to the Auckland City Council at its recent meeting by the curator (Mr L. T. Griffin), who stated that the animal had been under medical treatment for some time, and the zoo staff had undertaken a great deal of hard work in the hope of saving its life (states the New Zealand Herald). The camel was shown by examination to be a very old animal, and probably it had. well outlived the allotted span. It had been presented by Smith, Wylie and Company in September, 1927, and previously had seen much service as a working animal in Australia.

Speaking against a suggestion made at the annual meeting of the Scottish Home Rule Association of Canterbury on Tuesday night that the name of the association should be changed Mr C. S. Thomas said that the society should be kept as a centre of Scottish culture, states the Christchurch Times. As it was it attracted what might be called “dyed in the wool” Scotch men and women, and in that respect was not like the other societies which had amongst their members people who just came along for social recreation and a dance. “Let us keep this society a centre of Scottish culture,” said Mr Thomas, “and we will then be doing something that neither of the other two societies has done in the past.’ 1 ’

A stranger to Auckland, Dr A. J. Ross, who recently arrived from Australia, gave away £2OO in bank notes on Monday in mistake for £2. Next morning a taxidriver and a shopkeeper, on discovering the mistake, went out to the house he is staying at in St, Helier’s and returned the sum intact —“a remarkable example of the honesty of New Zealand people,” as the Australian visitor put it. Dr Ross stated that he was on a health trip and came into the city to make some expensive purchases. He had several £lOO Australian bank notes wrapped up in a handkerchief in his pocket, together with some New Zealand £1 notes. He made several small purchases, and then took a taxi home. “What was my surprise next morning to receive a visit from a taxi-driver and a shopkeeper both returning me £lOO notes which 1 did not, know I had missed,” said Dr Ross. “New Zealanders must be the most honest people in the world, for I would never have traced unaided the two people to whom I gave wrong notes.” The Railway Department draw attention in this issue to the reinstatement of cheap Suburban fares on Invercargill-Bluff Sunday trains commencing Sunday, 28th instant. —Advt. Why pay more to get less efficiency? The vim in your car is from the battery. I’. H. Vickery Ltd. can make your battery efficient or supply you with a new Vesta Battery at less cost than anywhere in New Zealand. —Advt. Pillow Cases lOd each, Frilled 1/G each. Pillow' Shams 4/6 pair, Tea Towels lOd. Wicks’ Hose and Vest Shop, Dee street, — Advt. “They are sound, wholesome and of good value. Hence the demand for Thomson’s Waters and Cordials.”—Advt. DON’T WASTE 1/-. REDEEM YOUR SWEETWEETS COUPON AT ONCE — Advt. Ladies’ Fuji Knickers, Women’s size, 3/11, O.S. 4/6. Art Silk Knickers in assorted shades 4/6 at Miss Nobles,’ The Baby Shop, Dee Street.—Advt. Old hands consider “the Exhibition” whitebait net to be the best mesh and shape obtair.aole for local fishing conditions. Remember this when you are replacing you old net. Thomson and Beattie’s price for 90in net is 1/10 and 2/9 per ytjrd and 3/11 per yard for extra heavy quality suitable for “set nets.” —Advt. Boys and girls, which is your favourite Annual ? Is it Chums, Schoolgirls’ Own, Tiger Tim, Playbox, Champion, School Friend or Pip and Squeak? All the new volumes are now to hand, the prices being for Chums 16/6, and for the others 8/each. They are obtainable from the New Zealand Book Depot, Ltd., Esk street, Invercargill. (Advt.) The amount of work Victor MacClure puts into each of his novels is prodigious, as he refuses to countenance any departure from the high standard he sets himself. The “Crying Pig Murder” is a detective story, outstanding as much for its study in the psychology of a rare criminal type as for the puzzling ingenuity of the plot. All the cards are laid on the table and the reader might guess the. correct solution, but we doubt it. This is one of the best detective stories of the year. In the 3/6 edition at Hyndman’s, Booksellers and Librarians. —Advt. CAMERA ENTHUSIASTS. You can always depend on HIGHEST QUALITY PRINTS from STEWART'S PHARMACY. Leave your next Film with us for developing and printing. —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 I 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.)

An inquest into the circumstances surrounding the death of Thomas William Miles, the railway porter who succumbed on Wednesday evening to injuries received when an engine passed over his legs earlier in the day, was opened yesterday morning before the District Coroner, Mr E. C. Levvey, S.M. After formal evidence of identification had been given the inquest was adjourned sine die. An illustration of the manner in which members of the Women’s Division of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union are experimenting in the matter of economy was afforded at the meeting of the Timaru branch of the division, states the Herald. Quite a number of methods of combining efficiency with economy were shown, such, for instance, tis a mat made from half a sack dyed and finished with appropriate borders, and a centre piece design beautifully worked. There were a host of suggestions made for labour-saving devices which ease the duties of the housewives and are economical. One lady, describing her efforts to reduce expenditure so far as her working wardrobe was concerned, said she had made a garment which had “four fronts” and was reversible. Another demonstrated how it was possible to prevent men’s trousers from bagging at the knees. She said that the simple process of attaching a piece of silk to the inside of the legs had the desirca effect.