TOPICS OF THE TIMES

Southland Times, Issue 21262, 8 December 1930, Page 4

TOPICS OF THE TIMES

Remarking that the uncertainty of political life might deprive him of another opportunity’ to address the League of Nations, Viscount Cecil macle a “final appeal” during the recent session of the Assembly. ‘‘You have to make up your mind what course you want to pursue. Do you really want, peace? Arc you really determined on it ? Arc you really prepared to take whatever measures may be necessary for that object and even to undergo what sacrifices may be required?” he asked. “No' great quest in this world is without danger; no great advantage can be had for nothing. If we want this great object wc must be prepared to pay the price for it. l>et us count the cost before it is too late, and if there be any of us who are faint-hearted in. this great movement —well, let them openly turn back. We shall regret the. loss of their assistance, but it is better to know exactly where we are and to have only with us those who are wholehearted in the pursuit of the object we have in view and not to be hampered in our efforts by those who are faint-hearted.”

Two estimates of the quantity of alcoholic beverages annually consumed in the United States were published recently—one by the Government, the other by the Association Against the Prohibition Amendment. According to the New Republic they represented months of work by corps of statisticians; the official estimates were issued 48 hours after those of the anti-prohibition organization. Describing them both as guesses, the New Republic placed the two sets of figures together as follows: — Official Guess. “Wets’ ” Guess. Gallons. Gallons. Wine . . . 118,000.000 110,900,000 Beer . . . 700,000,000 790,000,000 Spirits . . 73,000,000 200,000,000 (Tlio only serious disagreement is in respect of spirits. The “wet” estimate is accompanied by a calculation that the annua! expenditure on alcoholics is about £570,000,000. The Government report states that its estimate of 900,000,090 gallons is equivalent to about, seven gallons for every man, woman and child in the country; the New Republic adds that in 1919, just before the Volstead law went into effect, the. consumption was 9.28 gallons per capita. “The important, point, of course, is not the. exact amount which is now being consumed, as to which nobody can do much better than to mpke a wild guess, but the conditions under which the traffic is going on and the consequences to our national life,” it adds. “This tremendous industry has not been halted but driven underground, where it Is denied the protection of the law. It has, therefore, been forced to invent its own law. It has bribed many thousands of Federal, State and municipal officials, it has raised its own private armies of gangsters, utterly indifferent to human life, and it fights off the pirates who prey upon the trade in battles which, in the city of Chicago alone, have cost more than 500 lives in a decade. But this is only half of the picture. Hundreds of thousands of otherwise law-abiding and respectable citizens habitually and casually violate the Eighteenth Amendment, and bring up their children to see the law thus flouted.”

The following weather report and forecast was issued from Wellington by the Government Meteorologist last night: The position of the anti-cyclone over the Tasman Sea remains practically unchanged. The pressure is still low at the Chatham Islands and a slight low pressure wave is also crossing the South Tasman. Winds moderate and variable with westerlies to southerlies prevailing and freshening somewhat from Cook Strait southward. Seas (N.Z. waters) generally smooth to moderate, but rather rough south of Castlepoint. Light to moderate southerly winds in the northern portion, of the eastern Tasman Sea; westerlies to southerlies in the southern portion. Seas smooth to moderate. The weather is still mainly fair to cloudy and hazy, but some isolated showers are likely more especially on the west coast of the South Island and in the far north and south.

The exhibition of work at the Technical College was very largely attended on both Friday and Saturday. A conservative estimate of the number of visitors is from 1500 to 2000. The standard of work in several departments was considered by competent judges to be an advance on previous years and the general layout was more effective. Members of the staff and voluntary workers from among the seniefr pupils did much by their explanation to make the exhibits more interesting. An innovation appreciated by many was the scries of lecturettes given by some of the teachers.

Two bluebucks were born within a few hours of each other at the Auckland Zoological Park the other day. The new arrivals are tiny creatures, no bigger than kittens, and belong to the smallest species of antelope. The parents are only 15in high. There are five bluebucks in the Zoo (says the New Zealand Herald), and they are the only specimens in New Zealand or Australia. The species is extremely rare and is peculiar to Natal, South Africa. The animals in the Auckland Zoo were presented by Mr W. E. Sargent, who brought them from Africa last April. They are pretty animals and are known in Natal as duyker perfectly healthy.

The inhabitants of Niue Island are suffering from the effects of a drought. Life on this island is fairly simple, but the few whites who live there find the diet somewhat limited. The meat is pork and chicken. The chickens are tall, thin birds, with long legs, and they practically run wild. There is not much grass or vegetation (except the coconut palm) for animals to feed on, so when the housewife fancies she would like chicken for dinner, a recent visitor to the island asserted, she goes out, catches one of them, and ties it by the leg to the trunk of a palm tree. She then shakes down a few nuts, cuts them in half, and leaves them there for the chicken to feed on for a few days till it is plump enough for the table.

Glorious sunshine contributed to the outstanding success of the annual garden fete of St. Catherine’s Convent, which was continued in the convent grounds on Saturday. In spite of the fact that much buying had been done the previous day, the stalls were well stocked at the beginning of the afternoon, and the large number of people who were present found much from which to make their purchases. So reasonably priced were the many useful and daintily made articles that the stallholders were kept very busy during the afternoon. The sisters of the convent were in charge of the fancy goods, produce, sweets and cake stalls, and tea rooms, and were assisted by Mesdames Murfitt, Miller, Waterson, • Fox, Mahoney and Lynch, and Miss Kennelly. In the evening a enjoyable and wellattended dance was held.

On Thursday evening five members of the Winton Fire Brigade met Councillors N. Metzger and C. Slenhouse of the Fire Brigade Committee of the Borough Council with the object of reaching some finality in the action the members had taken in resigning. Mr Lyons, the brigade superintendent, was not present, but had telegraphed that he would not reconsider his action. The members present were asked if they would be inclined to join again, but they would not do so unless the superintendent consented. Councillor Metzger said that there had been a fire brigade before without Mr Lyons, and there could be one without hixu again. The representatives from the council were of the opinion that the best thing to do would be to make a fresh start and call for new voluntary members. —Winton correspondent.

Every show brings forth something sensational in the way of engineering improvement. This year the most interesting exhibit is made by Messrs Wright, Stephenson and Co., Ltd. on their motor stand. The Commander Eight Studebaker with free wheeling gears has proved the sensation of the year in the motc.r industry. These cars show a saving of from 12 to 20 per cent, on running costs, they are silenced to a super degree and give added comfort to the traveller. If you are interested in motor cars, visit this stand.— Advt.

ABRAHAM WACHNER, Dalgety’s Building, Don street, opens up a most glorious range of valuable mantles and furs. Also N.Z. and English footwear including Bostock, Bective and Crockett and Jones exclusive shoes for ladies and gentlemen. We wish to thank our numerous clients for their substantial patronage during 1930 and wish them the season's greetings. ABRAHAM WACHNER, Dalgety’s Buildings, Don street.—Advt.

For value in ladies’ underwear try us. Corselettes, brassiere, vests, knickers and princess underskirts at lowest prices at Miss Noble’s, The Baby Shop, Dee street.—Advt.

“Consumers of Dewar’s Whisky are never disappointed with the quality.”—Advt.

Christmas cards and 1931 Gift Calendars are now fully displayed. Autograph and art designs Christmas and New Year cards in assorted boxes 1/-, 1/3, 1/6, 2/-, 2/3 to 3/6. Single cards 3d to 1/-. Calendars in a wonderful assortment of beautiful designs, sepia tones, reproductions, quaint, comic and mottoed 6d to 4/6. The “Home Hints” is a good one for mother. Hynaman's, Dee street. —Advt.

CAMERAS. Finest selection of models from best makers. See our stock at BROWN, The Chemist. Best value in cameras ever offered. GEO 11. BROWN, Chemist, 125 Dee street. —Advt.

A BROWNIE is the simplest camera in the world to get good pictures with. Large selection at lowest prices. BROWN, The Chemist. GEO. 11. BROWN, Chemist,. 125 Dec street.—Advt.

KODAKS and BROWNIES. LATEST MODELS just to band CAMERAS greatly IMPROVED PRICES considerably REDUCED See our window display. STEWART’S PHARMACY Corner Dec and Don streets. —Advt. Ladies’ chiffon summer weight felts at Thomson and Beattie are priced ever so low. We offer the following shades: Mushroom Pink, Powder Blue, Sand, Opal, Pink and Putty. Medium sized brim, daintily bound with lin binding in self colour and bow at side. Worth 17/6 each. An attractive bargain for this week of Expansion Sale at 12/6 each.—Advt. BROWN’S PHARMACY makes all prints on VELOX because VELOX gives the best prints from your films. GEO. H. BROWN, Chemist, 125 Dee street.—Advt. “ ’Tis a comfort in grief.”—Selous. The most depressing and annoying ills are undoubthedly coughs and colds. For such griefs, however, Baxter’s Lung Preserver is a wonderful comfort—soothes and relieves from'the very first dose. Also tones up the whole system against further trouble. Get your “Baxter’s” to-day! A new screw cap preserves the contents. Obtainable all chemists and stores. Medium size, .2/6; large, economical family size, 4/6; bachelor’s size, 1/6. —Advt.

On Friday evening a most enjoyable concert was given to the inmates of I-ortte Farm by the dancing pupils of Mr Alex. Sutherland. The hall was packed and the old people thoroughly appreciated the entertainment. The acting matron, Miss M. Anderson, on behalf of the inmates, thanked the visitors for the splendid concert and for the material assistance given to the efforts to raise a substantial Christmas Tree fund.

“There are so many people who cannot see beyond butter-fat, and when we talk of land settlement they think that is what we want them to produce,” said Mr W. J. Holdsworth at a meeting at Auckland of the New Zealand Land Settlement League. “There are, however, big possibilities in other directions. I claim that in the past we have been putting too many eggs in one basket, a fatal thing when the market gets a setback. If we give attention to the production of more than one line we can stand a setback on one line far better than we can at the present time. When wc arc advocating land settlement we have not only butter-fat in view.”

Referring to the great advance made by shipping companies and their steamers and the conditions of the workers on board ship, at the annual reunion in Napier, Captain A. McLachlan, of Messrs Richardson and Company, stated that despite the fact that it was only about a quarter of a century ago that he served his apprenticeship, the improvement was wonderful. He remembered one outstanding incident that remained in his mind always. When visiting Calcutta and going through the markets to purchase fresh meat the ticketing of the purveyor was: First grade, second grade, third grade, fourth grade, and then meat for sailors.” To-day, however, everything was first grade.

The first annual stud ram and ewe fair to be held in the Eastern District will be conducted by the Gore A. and P. Association, iu conjunction with the Gore Stock Agents, Association, on February 28. There arc many prominent and successful sheepbreeders in the Eastern District and it is anticipated that these, as well as a number of well-known breeders from outside districts, will take advantage of this fivture for the marketing of their stud sheep. I'aimers should also welcome the fixture because of the opportunity it will give them of securing the best classes of stud sheep with which to improve their flocks. Entries for the sale will close with the secretary of the Gore A. and P. Association on December 20.

Berlin has now at many of the busiest centres a policeman with a band round his arm to indicate that he speaks and understands. English. Occasionally you may come across a French-speaking constable, but there are not so many. One of these linguistic policemen is perhaps unique iu his profession, and Berlin is very proud of him. He speaks fluently 12 languages, and is now learning in his spare tunc Hungarian, Dutch, and Rumanian. As might be imagined, this linguistic genius was not always a policeman; in the-war he was an interpreter; his father was a Russian officer and his mother a German. Stress of the times led him to his present vocation, and, his post being at the city railway’ station, which is the terminus for all trains from the east, he is repeatedly able (o assist Russians, Finns, and other foreigners.

A wonderful selection —Before purchasing your Christmas Gifts we invite you to oir special display of not cities presents for all can be procured at very convenient prices. Try Chas. Lewis’s, —Grand Corner for Christmas Gifts. —Advt.

CAMERAS from 7/6 to £3O at BROWN'S, The Chemist. Finest range ever shown in Southland. GEO. 11. BROWN, Chemist, 125 Dee street. —Advt.

Give a pair of silk hose. All our hose are first grade, newest colours, guaranteed ladderproof. Price 2/11 to 9/6. Wicks’ Hose and Vest Shop, Dee street.—Advt.

A new novel makes an ideal Christmas present for a man or woman. Some of the latest: Edgar Wallace’s new thriller, “The Lady of Ascot,” Ethel M. Dell's, “Storm Drift,” Harold Bell Wright’s ‘‘Exit’’, Sanzara’s “Lost Child”, Florence Riddell’s “Valley of Suspicion”, Galsworthy’s great -novel, “On Forsyte ’Change” and lastly Priestley’s wonderful novel, “The Good Companions.” With the exception of this last which Is 10/6 the selling of each price is 6/- each. N.Z. BOOK DEPOT LTD., ESK STREET, the Ideal Shop for the Ideal Gift —BOOKS. —Advt.

Sales arc very frequent these days but a genuine sale means general reductions off marked prices. This is what we are offering the ladies of Southland 20% to 30% off our ordinary selling price, this is caused through us having alterations made to our premises, and the builders are to take over soon and our large stocks of quality furs are to be reduced very considerably to make room. This is a real sale, and the goods offered arc all fresh new season’s styles, no iob lines or old out of date stale goods..— THE MUTUAL FUR CO., TAY STREET. —Advt.