TOPICS OF THE TIMES

Southland Times, Issue 21716, 31 May 1932, Page 4

TOPICS OF THE TIMES

Too Much Legislation. Lord Macmillan, speaking at the dinner of the Society of Incorporated Accountants and Auditors at the Guildhall, said that if commerce and industry were not enjoying a full measure of prosperity, it was not because the world was poor, or because men had lost their ability and capacity, but because somehow the machinery of their administration and their exchanges had become jammed. “It is only a matter of arrangement and adjustment of the mechanism to put the machine right, and therefore we can cherish the thought that the depression through which we are passing is only a phase in an evolution of an even greater prosperity in the future. There are some who think that the legislative side of the law has been too active. In the 12 years between 1919 and 1930 Parliament has passed 732 Acts, which fill 8406 pages. In law, a citizen is presumed to know the law, and, in another place at another time, I shall announce that with due solemnity. The man who knows all the law must be a very good citizen indeed. Still, we are not so bad as America. I am told that they have passed 62,000 Statutes in the last five years. True, they do not pay quite so much attention to them.” British Salesmanship. Faults in British salesmanship in regard to which the Prince of Wales has frequently tendered advice, were discussed recently by Sir Francis Goodenough. He said that many British manufacturers could, even under pre-

sent abnormal and difficult conditions, do far more foreign trade if their salesmanship were as good as their goods. They had neglected, and continued to neglect, the sound criticism and advice that had been given to them for many years. Every firm must apply to the problems of finding, developing and maintaining market* for British goods and services at least ati much time, thought, and energy, and fully as high a degree of abilities, as were applied to the problems of production and finance. Those problems, rendered more and more difficult and complex by modern competitive conditions, necessitated employing on the commercial side of business those possessing the highest qualities of character and intellect, developed to the fullest degree by sound education, training and experience. They should be paid according to their value, encouraged and recognized in their efforts, and given status comparable with their importance. There must be thoughtful and skilful recruitment of staff; prospects to attract the right type of recruit; continued education and _ training of recruits; and early promotion so as to bring fresh blood into the higher ranks. They must not rely on reputation, tradition, or other favouring conditions ns a substitute for the careful study (by principals as well as other competent persons) of the world’s markets on the spot, or for the most complete .and efficient .methods of marketing, individual or co-operative.

The Danger of Dust. “Men are divided into two classes: those who feel fit in summer and those who feel fit in winter,” says a medical correspondent of The Times. “Curiously enough, the latter class is the larger. Still more curiously, wet and dark summers are healthier, so far as official statistics can be relied on, than warm and sunny summers. It is not very easy to explain this, but the truth would seem to be that we have not yet evolved systems of sanitation and hygiene which are proof against droughts. So soon as dust begins to blow about people fall ill. Again, those who feel fittest in summer are, as a rule, persons who are little exposed to dust —countrymen, for example, and dwellers by the sea. Most city men find that summer is not their best time. Nor is the rise of temperature the cause of this. A dry and dusty month in winter immediately produces exactly the kind of troubles. that are met with during a dry summer. Dust, in short, is one of the afflictions which have not yet been overcome. We remain unaware of its dangers.” The writer refers to the manner food is exposed to dust, which becomes ingrained in food. “As is now known,” he continues, “the effects of dust are chemical rather than bacteriological. Cooking kills germs; it does not remove from silica dust its poisonous quality. The day must come when food will be kept until sold in dustless receptacles, when streets will be kept wet during hot speUs, and when rubbish will be removed oftener and in a more effective manner than at present.”

The Dominion Meteorologist last night issued the following information: An intense anti-cyclone still covers most of the Tasman Sea and New Zealand, but barometers are falling over Eastern Australia. Winds variable north of New Plymouth and Napier with south-westerlies prevailing elsewhere. Winds tending northerly and gradually freshening. Seas in New Zealand waters smooth to moderate but rising later about Cook and Foveaux Straits. In the Eastern Tasman Sea moderate but freshening northerly winds. Seas smooth to moderate but rising. Weather fine generally. Temperatures cold to-night, but milder to-morrow. Showers are likely to develop to-mor-row about Foveaux Strait and in parts of Westland.

For the fifth year in succession Mr S. Brumby, of Winton, has been awarded first prize with Black Orpingtons in the open and utility sections of the poultry division of the Nightcaps Show.

The fortnightly meeting of the Meccano Club was held last Saturday evening. After the usual business had been completed, most of the members took part in a model building competition which consisted in building a model of a coronation chair in the quickest possible time. The winner, G. Alington, completed it in eight minutes. A prize is to be presented to the member scoring the highest number of points in a series of competitions to be held throughout the year.

At the annual meeting of the Drummond Ploughing Match Association held recently, there was an attendance of 30 members. All last year’s executive members were re-elected with Mr D. Jones as president and Mr D. Brown secretary. The balance-sheet, which disclosed a very satisfactory position, was adopted. It was decided to hold the annual ploughing match on July 6 on the property of Mr A. Allison, jnr., and that the prize-money be not reduced. It was also resolved to include in the programme dog trial events.— Winton correspondent.

The W.E.A. literature class met at Everybody’s last evening when Mr I. L. Petrie presided over a good attendance. Lennox Robinson’s bush play, “The White-headed Boy,” was read, and caused much amusement. Those taking part were Mrs A. Godward (Aunt Ellen), Misses L. McKay (Mrs Geoghagen), Vyna Mclntosh (Jane), O. Walker (Delia), I. Flegg (Baby), A. Matheson (Hannah), F. Hobson (Kate), Messrs D. J. Miller (George), A. Anderson (Peter), R. Anderson (Dennis), S. G. August (Donough), and P. Barlow (John Duffy). The class will meet next Tuesday evening, when Dr Allan G. B. Fisher, of Otago University, will lecture on his recent Russian experiences.

In the Maintenance Court yesterday before Mr E. C. Levvey, S.M., James Callaghan (Washdyke), for arrears of maintenance amounting to £lO 16/8 up to April 23 last was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment, the warrant to be discharged upon payment of all arrears to date. William Evan Lyon (Bluff), for arrears of maintenance amounting to £1 10/- to April 25 last in respect to his three children and £5 13/- to the same date in respect to his wife, was sentenced to one month’s imprisonment on the first charge and three months’ on the second, the defendant to be released upon payment of all the arrears to date. David Robert James Taylor (Gore), for disobedience of a maintenance order under which the arrears amounted to £6 10/- up to April 9 last, was sentenced to one month’s imprisonment, the defendant to be released upon payment of all the arrears and £1 1/counsel’s fee.

An Ashburton telegram states: One of the features of the music at the Band Sunday festival at Ashburton of the Salvation Army was the presentation for the first time of "Blantyre March,” an intricate piece composed by Master Tom Rive, of Waimate, who is only 11 years of age.

County councils have been advised that the Department of Agriculture has made arrangements with the Unemployment Board that all farmers making application for labour for the purpose of destroying noxious weeds are to be granted relief workers free of cost.

When preaching at Knox Church on Sunday the Rev. Dr. E. N. Merrington, Master of Knox College, said he wished to draw attention to the Mission of Witness to be conducted in Southland next week. Three ministers from Knox College, the principal, Mr Dickie, and Professors S. Hunter and J. Collie, together with 22 students would visit the province and conduct the mission, which would last a week.

In connection with the second anniversary of the Invercargill Home mission, a day of prayer and intercession will be held from 10 a.m. on Friday, June 3. At 3 p.m. the anniversary service will be held, and an address given by the Rev. O. S. Peam. On Saturday at 5 p.m. a combined tea for mothers and children will be held in the Jed street Methodist Hall when contributions of cakes etc. will be gladly acknowledged.

A breeder of a popular tye of dogs found himself before the Magistrate _at Rotorua last Monday, charged with creating a nuisance. Two big dogs and a slut with puppies Were alleged to create a most disturbing noise whenever aroused by the mid-day siren. An order had been served upon the owner to get rid of the dogs, but he had only sold one. For the defence, it was claimed the dogs were valuable, and it took time to dispose of them. The case was adjourned for a fortnight to give defendant time to sell the dogs.

Something new in the way of winter sports, so far as Dunedin is concerned, was introduced on Wednesday evening, when a heavy coating of snow lay on the hills, states the Otago Daily Times. A party of hardy spirits, eager for new thrills, had constructed a toboggan out of a sheet of roofing iron, and this, carrying a load of happy riders, was towed about the streets of Maori Hill by a baby car. The resulting packing of the snow in Driver’s road did not meet with the approval of those motorists who later found difficulty in negotiating the slippery surface.

A Napier resident finds that his car is, almost nightly, a hearth and home for a small colony of rats. His attention was first drawn to the nuisance when he noticed smoke issuing from the bonnet, he found a small conglomeration of rubbish—fragments of rag, pieces of brown paper, light twigs and dry grass—smouldering. He is satisfied that only a few more miles of running would have been required before the engine would have burst into flames. He has since taken the precaution of opening the bonnet every morning before setting out for the day, and has regularly had to clear away a small collection of rubbish similar to that which, in its inflammatory state, caused him more than a moment’s alarm.

The fortnightly meeting of the Marist Old Boys’ Debating Club was held last evening when Mr P. J. McCarthy presided over a large attendance of members. The evening was devoted to a debate on the subject “That State participation in private enterprise is not advantageous to the people.” The affirmative side stated the defects of Government enterprise and cited many instances of apparent mismanagement. The economics of the subject received a good deal of consideration and various arguments were introduced in support of their contention. The negative side stressed the importance of catering for the welfare of the community as a whole and produced some solid facts to support their arguments. Mr McCarthy acted as judge and gave a very helpful criticism of the speeches. Next meeting night will be devoted to readings from favourite authors.

Stolen seven years ago a bicycle—worth at that time £lB—was returned by the police to its original owner, states the Christchurch Times. The machine was rusty, and the paint had been knocked about, but it was practically the same in appearance as when it disappeared in 1924. Even the rubber pedals were little worn, and though it is not known yet through how many hands it has passed, its condition would indicate that it was for a considerable period in storage. The police have made an arrest in connection with the discovery, and further inquiries will be made. The bicycle was presented to a dealer by a man who said it had been given to him. The dealer made inquiries, and another dealer located a record of the sale to the original owner. The officer in charge of the bicycle office at the Central Police Station did the rest.

Those who remember Miss Auka (Annie) Lambreva, the Bulgarian lady who recently spent some time in New Zealand and Invercargill particularly, will be interested to hear of her again. She has written to friends in South Invercargill from Persia. In a previous letter she described her pleasant and interesting return journey via New York and London, thence by air to Paris on her return to her own country. Miss Lambreva commenced writing a book the material for which she obtained during her travels and which she hopes some time to have published in Bulgarian and English. Her present home is with friends in the city of Teheran. Soon after her arrival there she was presented to the Shah of Persia. In describing this city Miss Lambreva states that it is part ancient and part modern and altogether decidedly Eastern. It was winter at the time of writing and to give an idea of the intense cold of those parts she states that the mercury frequently registered 30 degrees below zero. In conclusion Miss Lambreva mentions a long list of friends in Invercargill and the surrounding districts she wishes to be remembered to.

Dogs are notoriously intelligent animals, and a more than usually intelligent one was brought to the Times Office to display some of her tricks. The dog proved as keen as her owner, Mr A. Henderson, to show what she could do and took a seat on a chair as soon as she arrived in the office. When a pipe was offered to her she showed that she belonged to the ultra-modern set by settling down to a quiet “smoke.” A pair of glasses and a hat were next donned, but these were soon put aside for tricks requiring more activity, and a large amount of real cleverness and dexterity were shown. Coins were picked up from the floor, balanced on the end of the nose to be tossed into the air and caught, and "handed” to any person indicated. After slyly winking at a reporter with first one eye and then the other the dog sprang into Mr Henderson’s arms, through them, and over his back, closed the door of the room and did numerous other tricks. Throughout the whole performance there was clear evidence of a strong bond of affection between animal and master, the dog obviously finding pleasure in doing what was requested. Mr Henderson was formerly a resident of Auckland and his pet won • a number of prizes in dog shows there.

At a sitting of the Gore Magistrate s Court yesterday T. Watson was ordered to pay May Murdoch the sum of £2O 16/-, solicitor’s fee 31/6 and costs 31/-, in default 21 days’ imprisonment in Invercargill. The committee set up in Invercargill to assist unemployed women and girls has received a very generous offer from Mr J. W. Smith, managing director of Messrs H. and J. Smith, Ltd. Mr Smith has invited the committee to obtain free from the Progressive Stores goods to the value of £5O, an action very much appreciated by members of the committee. A very successful concert, organized by the Gore Municipal Brass Band, was held in the Regent Theatre on Sunday evening. Several items were given by the band, which were greatly appreciated. Well-known local artists gave assistance, vocal solos being contributed by Mrs S. Sim, Miss F. Hinchey, Messrs R. L. Stevenson and A. D. Crawford, while a duet by Misses E. and F. Hinchey was well received. A popular item was that provided by Mr R. L. Stevenson, whose mouth organ solos and one-stringed fiddle numbers were heartily applauded. The accompaniments were played by Misses M. Johnston, F. Hinchey and Mr I. C. Millar. A farm of 200 acres situated 4 miles from Woodend is advertised for sale by tender by the Lands Department in this issue. Particulars may be obtained from the Commissioner of Crown Lands, Invercargill.—Advt. Ladies’ Black All-wool Knitted Hose only 1/11 pair at Wicks’ Hose and Vest Shop, Ltd., Dee street. (Advt.) WHAT ARE YOU DOING ABOUT IT? Splendid success describes the opening days of the Service Shoe Store Sale. Genuine Reductions on everything in stock. Men’s, Women’s and Children’s Footwear in many instances at cost and under. This is a Big Sale for the final dispersion of Service Shoe Store stock. Be early to secure the best bargains.—Advt. Children’s warm winter frocks in good quality flannel, navy serge, etc., 16 to 34in, from 8/11 to 24/6 at Miss Noble’s, The Baby Shop, Dee street.— Advt. Ask for Ayson’s 3d packets delicious Walnut Almond and Cherry Candy at stores throughout Southland, and at Ayson’s two shops, Dee street. (Advt.) The Doctor was so pleased to see The patient’s quick recovery, My medicine you have surely taken, Oh no, said she, 'twas Hitchon’s Bacon. — Advt. SECURITY IN INVESTMENTS. The most important point about an investment is its margin of safety. This is truer to-day than ever before, and because investments are so seldom able to offer really good returns, combined ,vith absolute security, many investors are accepting a much smaller return in order to safeguard their capital. One of the few exceptions is N.Z. Perpetual Forests, Ltd. The bondholders of this—the largest concern of its kind in the world—are assured of 100 per cent .security, of which onethird (£8 6/8 per £25) is held in cash by the trustees for the bondholders, yet the investment offers a high rate of return.—Advt. Why pay high prices for hats, when Thomson and Beattie Ltd. can supply you with a fashionable “Prestige” hat as low as 9/11 and 13/6. Smart hats to suit all styles are offered at these prices, in shades of green, brown, black, navy, red, and wine. No better value than this is offered in Southland. Call and see them at your earliest opportunity.—Advt. For the Motorist: The South Island Motorists’ Road Guide (1932) 3/6; Complete Hints and Tips for Automobilists 5/6; Motor Repair Manual 3/6; How To Drive A Car 3/6; Faults and How to Find Them 4/-; The New Ford 3/6; Dyke’s Automobile Encyclopaedia (the standard work for motor dealers) 30/-. Obtainable from the New Zealand Book Depot, Ltd., Esk street. (Advt.)

It never pays to buy cheap school hose. Carter’s are selling a super quality hose for 2/6; all sizes. All schools including Bluff, Makarewa, High, and Tech. For better wearing school hose —Carter’s Tay Street.—Advt. TEDDY, KITTY, BUNNY HOT WATER BAGS. Ideal for the Children. Highest quality Dunlop rubber. We guarantee them. Price 5/- each. All fresh stock at Stewart’s Pharmacy, corner Dee and Don Streets.—Advt. The quality of our goods will be remembered long after price is forgotten, fox - the simple reason that we buy direct from the world’s markets the best that money can buy, and offer same to the ladies of Southland with the guarantee that what we say it is, IT IS. We never misrepresent anything and our advice on all occasions is yours for the asking. The MUTUAL FUR COY., Tay street.—Advt. PERSONAL CHARM! Its possession delights e/ery woman. In her heart of hearts she glories in her dressing table, with its powder, puffs and patches. On the erfectly appointed dressing table, there should always be a box of Godet Face Powder and a jar of Godet Face Cream. Godet preparations have been used by lovely women for a quarter of a century. They are perfectly harmless to the most delicate skin. Godet Toilet Preparations, are sold by GEO. H. BROWN, Chemist, Optician, 125 Dee Street.—Advt A GRAND OLD REMEDY. In the entire annals of New Zealand business, it is difficult to find a more striking example of a continued respect and confidence in a line, as is the case with Baxter’s Lung Preserver. To-day “Baxter’s” is given to children whose fathers and mothers, grandfathers and grandmothers, and greatgrandmothers and great grandfathers have also benefited by this grand old remedy for coughs, colds, chest and throat afflictions. It is a wonderful tribute to a wonderful preparation. All chemists and stores sell “Baxter’s” in three sizes, 1/6, 2/6 and 4/6. The larger sizes are more economical. —Advt.