TOPICS OF THE TIMES

Southland Times, Issue 21983, 5 April 1933, Page 4

TOPICS OF THE TIMES

Art Limitations. “We suffer at present in both the Arts and Letters from people trying to do the impossible in their anxiety to create a sensation by doing something which nobody else has done,” writes Sir Reginald Blomfield in the Quarterly Review. “They forget, or are ignorant of the fact, that each art has its own limitations and its own specific appeal, and that what can be done in one art may not be possible in another. Our modern sculptors and painters are incessantly trying to express in terms of modelling, carving, or painting, ideas which can only be dealt with in terms of letters. If one makes one’s appeal through the eye, the result must be intelligible to the eye, it must preserve some sort of resemblance to the object, however much one may abstract and eliminate. But many _ of these modern works are wholly unintelligible without a fully written explanation—a mere title is insufficient.” The Reflation Doctrine. “It is, I believe, possible to achieve a rise in the internal price level by monetary management, and I am unshaken in this opinion by the frequent charge that reflation has already been tried and found wanting both in Great Britain and in the United States,” said Mr Reginald McKenna, in his address at the annual meeting of the Midland Bank. “Reflation means the expansion of bank deposits, and therefore of potential purchasing power, to such an extent as will restore the price level to the point at which it stood before the present great slump began.” Expanding his statement that the experiment had had only a partial trial in Britain, Mr McKenna explained that the additional purchasing power arising from an increase in bank deposits “cannot get into use in trade for a considerable time” because its first effect is to create a demand for fixed interest securities, and it is only when the demand creates opportunity for new issues that the. newly-created money will be spent in the purchase of materials and the payment of wages, and thus find its way into trade. “The whole process in any circumstances takes time'; when the circumstances are unpropitious, the time may be very considerable.” The process had been delayed in Britain because the market had been closed against new issues, in support of the conversion scheme, so that the expansive monetary policy in Britain had been no more than half a policy. After reviewing the course of events in the United States, Mr McKenna concluded that "the pressure of surplus cash has not yet been heavy enough, or sufficiently long in operation, to induce such large purchases

of investments as will restore the volume of bank deposits,” so that the experiment of reflation “has not been tried at all.” Bank Deposits and Prices. Commenting on these observations, the City editor of The Times remarked that although he supported the return to gold in 1925, Mr McKenna has long been regarded as an inflationist. For years he has held the view that the price level could be manipulated in either direction by monetary management, that if credit were expanded commodity prices would rise, trade would be stimulated, and unemployment reduced. These views are certainly not held by the majority of leading bankers, nor can they be considered representative of City opinion. The writer presents a tabulated statement for recent years of deposits in the clearing banks and prices indices. This shows that in 1924 deposits were £1672 millions and the Board of Trade index of wholesale prices was 166.2. In 1925, deposits declined by £10,000,000 and the index fell to 159.1. For five years in succession deposits increased until the total in 1930 was £1,801,000,000; during that period the wholesale price index fell annually to 119.5. In 1931 deposits dropped to £1,760,000,000 and the price index to 104.1. In 1932 deposits rose to £1,791,000,000— only £10,000,000 below the record—but the price index fell again to 101.6. However The Times agrees with Mr McKenna that the reason why the considerable credit expansion last year had signally failed to have any effect on the price level of commodities was that the credit was used not for the purchase of commodities, but for the purchase of securities, the prices of which have risen.

The Dominion Meteorologist last night issued the following information: Pressure is now high over New Zealand, the Tasman Sea and the greater part of Australia. Winds northerly at first on parts of the east coast and about Cook Strait, but southerly prevailing generally. Strong in some exposed positions but decreasing, otherwise light to moderate. Seas in New Zealand waters rather rough north of Cape Egmont and in Cook andFoveaux Straits. Elsewhere moderate. In the eastern Tasman Sea moderate southerly winds and moderate seas. A few isolated showers at first but for the most part fine and a continuance of the fine weather may be expected for several days with cool night, but mild day temperatures. The Gardening Notes, which usually appear on Wednesday, have been held over till to-morrow. The Christchurch City Council has decided not to allow any further Socialist Party meetings in Cathedral square. As the Socialist Party will contest the municipal elections it is therefore classified as a political party. —Press Association. There was a large attendance at the monthly .social of the Gore Pipe Band, which was held in the Gaiety Hall on Monday evening. Mrs Ferguson’s orchestra supplied the music for dancing, while extras were played by Miss Tretheway. Mi- C. Miller acted as M.C. Much appreciated selections were also played by the band. Work is to be started in Wellington shortly on the new Y.M.C.A. hut for boys, probably at Petone. The funds come from £l2OO subscribed by New Zealand soldiers during the war for the erection of a memorial of the war work of the association. The trustees are Sir Andrew Russell and Mr J. L. Hay, Y.M.C.A. president and national treasurer. —Christchurch Press Association. The monthly meeting of the Garden Club was held last night in Everybody’s, Mr J. L. Lennie presiding over a good attendance. The speakers were Mr-J. L. Lennie, whose subjects were “Herbaceous Plants,” “Autumn Foliage.” Mr A. H. Smith took the subject of “Propagation by Autumn Cuttings.” Both speakers dealt thoroughly with their subjects, their lectures being interspersed by practical demonstrations. At the conclusion of their lectures the speakers were accorded a hearty vote of thanks. The following is the return of business transacted at the Gore Magistrate’s Court for the quarter ended March 31, 1933: Number of sittings presided over by a magistrate, civil 10, criminal 7; by justices of the peace, criminal 5; total amount sued for £2055 6/C; number of applications hoard in court or chambers, 31; number of plaints entered, 197; distress warrants issued, 6; judgment summonses issued, 45: warrants for committal issued, 2; number of warrants executed by the bailiffs, 9: number of criminal cases, 48 male, 3 female, total 51. Fees and fines during the quarter totalled £212 11/6. “In view of the controversy which followed the decision not to nominate Rhodes Scholars from New Zealand this year, it is instructive to learn that no Dominion students who have been awarded such scholarships have failed at Oxford,” said an Auckland educational authority. “New Zealand and Malta, alone among the Empire countries, enjoy this distinction,” he added. “That fact is pointed out by Dr Charles Franklin Thwing, president emeritus of the Western Research University, Ohio, in an article in Hibbert’s Journal, in which he states that the American record is not quite so creditable.” “I believe in rural education. Canterbury boys and girls should be taught to go back to the farms, for far too many are seeking the city life,” said Mr W. A. Banks, a membei- of the Canterbury Education Board, at the jubilee celebrations of the Darfield School (says the Christchurch Press). Secondary schools, he added, had been advised to copy the Rangiora High School policy. Many parents to-day were very sorry that their children had conceived a liking for the town through the “white ’collar” influence. He hoped, he said, that before long there would be an intermediate school in the district. Even if some schools were “decapitated” the outlying schools would not suffer. A new branch of the Young People’s Branch of the Christian Temperance Union was formed in Central Invercargill on Monday, when the Rev. C. H. Olds presided over a gathering of young people in the Jed Street Hall and introduced Miss C. M. McLay, Dominion Y organizer. In her address Miss McLay briefly sketched the women’s crusade of 1874, from which sprang the W.C.T.U. with its threefold platform of Prohibition, Purity and Peace. -She appealed to the young people to wrest the greatest thrill from life, which was to be found in making one’s life count for God in the service of humanity. The growing youth temperance movement was strengthening the great moral bulwark which make for righteousness and home protection. Officers elected were: President, Mr C. Olds; secretary. Miss G. Fraser; treasurer, Miss G. Craig.

The Hon. G. W. Forbes stated yesterday, says a Wellington Press Association telegram, that no finality had yet been reached concerning the appointment of a general manager of railways, which position had been vacant for four months. He denied that the delay was due to a division of opinion on the Railways Board regarding a recommendation but a recommendation had been made.

“A farmer can never see for himself until someone knocks his brains out,” remarked Mr Moore, when speaking at the Momona Factory jubilee celebrations on Friday evening. He said that for years the lot of the Momona farmer had been hard until he had recognized that his salvation lay in a co-operative dairy factory. The experiment had proved a boon. Now, said Mr Moore, the depression had knocked the brains out once more, but he felt the farmer would put his back to the wall and pull through. A better quality product than ever would have to be produced if New Zealand hoped to hold her position on the Home market.

It is not often that a child in a classroom has the temerity to rise from its seat and raise an angry voice of protest against the teacher (states the Taumarunui Press). But such a thing happened the other day at a school not very far removed from Pirongia. The class was being told the story of the Maori, and somewhat eloquently the teacher was explaining the barbaric habits of an old Maori chief. The class was informed that he was a murderer and a cannibal. The spell of wonderment was broken when a small child rose indignantly to protest. “He did nothing of the sort —I know, ’cause he was my great-grandfather.”

The monthly meeting of the Sixpenny Clothing Club was held in St. John’s Hall on Monday. Mrs Greenwood occupied the chair and the following members were present: Mesdames Wren, Aldridge, Hanan, Recd, Henderson, Leary, Grant, Abel . and Misses Birss, Hunter and Legge. Eighteen applications were received and carefully considered. Thirteen of these applicants have been asked to call for parcels. Arrangements were made for the ladies of the committee to carry out the collecting for the Social Helpers’ Association as the club benefits from that fund. The committee wishes to stress the fact that no personal application will receive attention, but all letters must be sent to Room No. 14, New Zealand Express Company’s Buildings, Don street.

The mannequin parades which are being held this week by H. and J. Smith, Ltd., Gore, are proving of exceptional interest. So keen have womenfolk been to attend that Thursday’s function has already been well booked. In response to numerous requests Messrs H. and J. Smith, Ltd., have decided to stage another fashion display on Saturday evening at 8.30 p.m. This will be of special interest to business girls and others who found it impossible to attend on either Tuesday or Thursday. Book your table for Saturday night—beautiful frocks—pleasing music—further dancing interludes by Miss Daisy Mcßae and her pupils. Admission 1/-. Dainty supper provided.—Advt. We offer 40 makes and styles in Ladies’ Vests. We can suit you both in style and price. See our windows. Wicks’ Hose and Vest Shop, Ltd., Dee street. —Advt. Buy a bottle of THOMSON'S to-day for to-morrow. —Advt. A novel window display attracting considerable attention in Tay street at present is one installed by the firm of Thomson and Beattie, Limited. A model railway in a rural setting (made entirely by the boys of the Southland Technical College) forms a portion of the display, and a moving picture portraying New Zealand’s various scenic attractions forms another portion. The latter portion has been made possible through the co-operation of the publicity section of the Government Tourist Department (the pictures are showing between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. each evening). All kinds of suitable attire for Easter holidays is cleverly built around qne of the most outstanding and instructive windows ever placed before the public of this city. To-day, more than ever, your car must be Dependable, Reliable, and Economical—that is the AUSTIN CAR.—P. H. VICKERY LTD, Invercargill, and J. A. S. AITKEN, Gore.—Advt. We do all classes of ladies’ and children’s dressmaking. renovations and alterations, etc. You may bring your own material to Miss Noble’s, the Baby Shop, Dec street.—Advt. Give baby a sample of real “skin happiness.” Get a tin of NYAL BABY POWDER at the first opportunity and discover what a difference there can be in baby powders. Nyal Baby Powder contains a scientific ingredient called alphozone, which prevents moisture from chafing or irritating tender skin. 1/6 per- tin at Stewart’s Pharmacy, Dee street. —Advt. The new broom sweeps clean and so will the new bride if you give her one of our Fireside Companion Sets. They are an ornamental as well as a useful present. The sets consist of a Stand. Tongs, Brush and Shovel. In plain bronze the price is 8/6 complete. In a heavier Venetian bronze 15/-, and an oxidized silver set is 21/— at Hyndman's, Dec street. —Advt. THE AUSTIN SEVEN, AUSTIN TEN-FOUR, THE AUSTIN TWELVEFOUR and TWELVE-SIX are built and designed to excel in Economy and Dependability. See them at P. H. VICKERY LTD, Invercargill, and J. A. S. AITKEN, Gore.—Advt. DISCOVERED AFTER 12 MONTHS. Quite by chance a family on a camping holiday through Southland stopped for lunch on an old camp site they had used 12 months previously. One of the children, playing about while lunch was being prepared,' unearthed a tin canister from the undergrowth. Imagine the surprise when it was discovered to be the very tin of Tiger Tea lost by the family 12 months ago. The contents were in a perfect state of preservation, proof, if such be needed, of the wonderful flavour-retaining qualities for which this tea is justly famous. Tiger Tea costs only 2/6 per lb and may be had from any Grocer.—Advt. DELIGHTFUL BOOKS FOR CHILDREN by EDITH HOWES. We have the following from her magic pen: SILVER ISLAND, A New Zealand story 5/THE GOLDEN FOREST, a Parable of Parenthood 6/THE CRADLE SHIP, Illustrated in Colour 7/THE SINGING FISH, Illustrated in Colour 5/RAINBOW CHILDREN, Illustrated in Colour 5/THE SUN’S BABIES, Illustrated in Colour 6/WHERE THE GOOD BOOKS ARE. N.Z. BOOK DEPOT, 49-51 ESK STREET, INVERCARGILL. (Advt.) Sensational* purchase. N.Z. Firm giving up business. Stock bought by Carter’s at huge discount. 150 Boys’ Overcoats; 300 Men’s Overcoats bought at enormous reductions. Your chance to buy an overcoat at much under the usual price. See Carter’s advertisement front page. (Advt.)