TOPICS OF THE TIMES

Southland Times, Issue 22159, 30 October 1933, Page 6

TOPICS OF THE TIMES

Grip of the Quota. In the course of an editorial article entitled “Home Markets for Foreign,” the Morning Post says:—The fundamental fact which we have got to face—and the sooner we face it the better—is that international trade is unlikely, in our generation, to resume its preslump dimensions. “Economic nationalism” stalks the earth as at no time since the days of Adam Smith. Experience shows that import restrictions, once imposed, are tardily removed, however the circumstances that prompted their imposition may change. The national economy becomes adjusted to the conditions produced by the restrictions, and each nation is loth to expose itself to the dislocation which removal or curtailment might involve. The quota, moreover, is a new discovery in commercial technique which has almost certainly come to stay, and is a far more deadly impediment to trade than was ever the tariff. Nor is it only a permanent limitation of the total volume of foreign trade that confronts us in the future. The competition of cheap labour in the Orient must be expected to leave us with a decreasing share even of that diminished volume. These reflections, if they are even approximately true, suggest that we must undertake a thorough overhaul of the assumptions on which our commercial policy has been based during the past three-quarters of a century.

Canadian Banking. Giving evidence before the Macmillan Monetary Commission at Ottawa, Professor Gregory, of London University, expressed his unqualified belief

in the necessity for a central bank for Canada, not designed for an emergency situation, but ns part of the normal machinery of Canada’s economic life. He declared that the powers now vested in the Ministry of Finance could not be a permanently satisfactory arrangement because it was an arrangement too subject to political control, and Canada suffered in comparison with other countries because it lacked a central authority to confer with other countries on monetary problems. He regarded the currency problem as one of the utmost difficulty, delicacy and importance on account of the practice in Canada of borrowing in New York and selling elsewhere. He thought that the situation of Canada looking 10 years ahead would be very difficult. Professor Gregory expressed pessimistic views in regard to further expansion of the agricultural population of the West. The small population of Canada, he said, had been overburdened with capital expenditure on railways and roads far in advance of present needs. If a price-raising programme was desirable inflation might be achieved by the Government adding to the irredeemable currency and spending the funds thus available on public works.

Labour and Dictatorship. The Trades Union Congress did not set in motion any new currents of action, but it stayed the movements of Labour opinion in at least one harmful direction, says The Times. The congress made an impression of being less sure of itself in the sphere of action than it professes to be in its hold on guiding principles. That is excusable at a time when dictators rule in the name of Socialism and the president of a great republic is endowed with autocratic authority and a supervisory control of every kind of industry. There are times when it is easier to see a desirable end than to take the next step toward it. There lies the difficulty of the trades union movement now. Socialist politicians may lightly sketch the State of their hearts’ desire and put on paper the plans of its machinery and the methods of transition, but the trade union leader, who has to think in terms of employment and bread and butter, must be convinced that there will be no hiatus of general unemployment and a dislocation of the supply of daily food. A protestation of benevolent intention is no safeguard. In the Trades Union Congress the industrial leaders of labour have collectively declared that they prefer to be free and not so bound to politicians that they must cease to shape the course of events. Tlie Labour Party has lately rewritten its guide books to Socialism (“Labour and the Nation” was soon out of date) and when it gets the power it intends to go fast and far. The body of self-appointed pioneers who constitute the Socialist League would go faster and farther still. As to these schemes the Trades Union Congress has said nothing. The unions that compose it will shortly meet as constituent elements of the Labour Party and then will talk politics and, probably, accept what the politicians propose. But. one thing the unions have already decided. The difficulties of inaugurating Socialism are not to be made a pretext for dictatorship.

The Government Meteorologist last evening telegraphed the following weather report and forecast. A depression crossed the South Island last night but the cyclone which developed in the northern portion centred north of Auckland this morning. A fresh depression has already passed Tasmania. The forecast is for winds southerly moderate to strong in and north of Cook Strait but decreasing elsewhere to moderate, later veering to northerlies. Seas (in New Zealand waters) rough north of Farewell Spit and Kaikoura but decreasing elsewhere to moderate. In the eastern Tasman strong but decreasing southerly winds and rough seas in the northern portion, elsewhere tending to northerly with freshening rising seas. The weather will be dull at first north of Westport and Kaikoura with some rain, but soon improving; elsewhere temporarily fair to fine, later again becoming unsettled with rain in the western and southern districts of the South Island.

The following donations to the Mayor’s Relief Fund are acknowledged: R. A. Anderson, £2O; Southland Boxing Association, £22 4/6; 1.J.C.M., £7 10/-; staff Government Buildings, £2 10/-; staff J. G. Ward and Co. £1 5/-; staff Brass Bros. £2; staff J. C. Carter £1; staff McNeill and Clark 10/-; H. Grace 4/-.

Gardeners in the Heathcote district are at present busily engaged in planting the main crops of tomatoes (says the Christchurch Times). Large numbers are being planted this year, both outside and under glass. The recent frost did not damage the tomatoes to any extent, although many of the growers were up all night lighting fires as a safeguard against a heavy .frost. The only damage done was to beans and soft plants on the flat.

One American idea of New Zealand was experienced by Mr D. W. Bain, of Christchurch, during his recent tour of Europe. In France he met an American student, and after talking to him for a few minutes asked him what part of the United States he came from. The American told him and Mr Bain then remarked that he came from New Zealand. “New Zealand!” exclaimed the American with lifted eyebrows. “But your English is just great! Where did you learn to talk it?”

“I like the country so much that I would very much like to stay here,” said Mr C. K. P. Morriston, of London and Glasgow, who arrived at New Plymouth recently after motoring during the past month from Kaitaia to Invercargill and Bluff. He considered the Dominion was a place of wonderful opportunities. Mr Morriston, who has recently travelled extensively in Africa, said that his impression of New Zealand was that of an “Africanized England.” The scenery had the English prettiness superimposed on the magnificence of Africa with its splendid panoramas.

A conference of butter and cheese factory managers of Otago was held at the Government Grade Stores on Wednesday, every factory being represented. Mr J. J. Henry was in the chair. Lines of butter and cheese were inspected, and where defects were apparent they were explained by Mr D, Cunningham, Government grader, and Mr E. Beatson, Government factory instructor. Quite an interesting discussion took place when a parcel of Danish butter was opened. This butter had been held in New Zealand for about a month under ordinary conditions, and proved to be of very fine quality. A discussion followed on matters in connection with the manufacture of butter and cheese, the principal factor being the relative values of different methods of grading milk for cheese-making.

Applications for posts with the Byrd Antarctic expedition are being received in Dunedin in hundreds from all parts of New Zealand. It has now been learned that the expedition ships will call at Wellington before arriving at Dunedin to pick up frozen cargo landed there some weeks ago. No indication has yet been given as to when the ships arc expected to reach Dunedin.

As wheat and barley are susceptible to frost only when in flower, no anxiety is felt as to how these crops in Central Otago fared during the frost last week that damaged the orchards. Barley is a very important crop up Wanaka way, and it will please others besides the sender of a question on the subject to learn that the barley is coming on well.—Evening Star.

During some observations on the relation of the church and religion to the Labour movement at Whiteley Church the Rev. Frederick Copeland remarked that it had sometimes been charged again=t the church that it was an institution of the capitalists. The answer to that charge, he said, could be found by taking a look in the collection plates on any Sunday.

The weekly R.S.A. euchre tournament drew another large crowd to the Athenaeum Hall at Bluff on Saturday night. Mr W. Gilson supervised play. The games were very closely contested and the tournament was remarkable for the high scores registered. The winners were: Mrs A. Gibson and Mr A. Lee (equal) 1, Mr T. Finnerty 3. The first round aggregate prize was won by Mr G. Bradshaw and the second by Mrs L. Mortimer.

“The lack of by-laws for adequately controlling itinerant vendors and hawker? lays the householder open to the depredations of undesirable characters, householders having no means of distinguishing whether they are of good character or not,” wrote a ratepayer to the latest meeting of the Birkenhead Borough Council, complaining that thefts had occurred. The Mayor, Mr G. Mills, said it was a matter for the police. It was decided to inform the writer that the council had the matter under consideration.

In replying to the welcome extended to him by the members of the Navy League in Christchurch (says the Times), Captain Cosmo Graham, of H.M.S. Diomede, said that being. in uniform reminded him of an occasion during the Great War, when he was in Glasgow. He had arrived in that city on a Sunday evening, and at the station nobody seemed to know who was who. However, a small boy had evidently been watching him and taking in the details of his uniform, for he approached him and said: “Are ye for the Hippodrome, sir?’’—(Laughter.)

At a sitting of the Gore Magistrate’s Court before Mr H. J. Dixon, S.M., judgment was entered for plaintiffs by default in the following undefended civil claims: J. Brownlie and Sons v. H. E. McLean (Riversdale) for £8 13/8, costs £1 16/6; Wairaki Coal Co. Ltd., v. R. H. Thomas" (Otautau) for £8 12/1, costs £1 12/6; A. A. Rose v. H. E. McLean (Riversdale) for £1 13/3, costs 14/-; A. M. Charles v. Basil Wybrow (Hedgehope) for £3 10/-, costs £1 5/6; A. A. Rose v. E. Korrell (Waipounamu) for £2 16/-, costs £1 4/6; Brown and Domigan v. A. E. Soper (Waikaia) for £1 10/-, costs 8/-.

“Viewing the figures, it is difficult to see how it will be possible to reduce fares,” commented the acting-chaifman of the Auckland Transport Board (Mr E. H. Potter), in referring to receipts and the number of passengers carried for the years ended March 31, 1921 to 1933. The table shows that from 1927 to 1928, the biggest passenger year, the number of passengers carried grew from 45,820,939 to 67,182,592. This year the number had fallen to 46,114,185, and the receipts to £534,263, compared with £716,151 in 1929, when the revenue reached its peak.

Why is it that people bent on holiday excursions always wear the same sort of clothing, regardless of the kind of day (asks the Auckland Star) 1 Last week-end hundreds of people gathered early in the city on their way to beaches and parks and a dozen and one other places. Though the wind was as keen as a knife, and there appeared a chance of rain, the great majority of holiday-makers were dressed as though it were a warm summer’s day. The women wore white frocks—except a handful who wore tennis trousers—many were without stockings, and one was seen to be carrying a bathing suit. The men were in creams or sports trousers, with open-necked shirts and blazers. Few seemed to be wearing overcoats. One middle-aged man was wearing what is colloquilly known as a “straw bun.”

As the days lengthen, the cold strengthens—if you catch a chill take Mixture 98—there is nothing betterall first class stores stock it. 2/6 a bottle.—Advt. It stands above all others. DEWAR’S WHISKY. —Advt. Being cut in half! The management at Carter’s has decided on account of heavy stocks and new goods arriving to cut stocks down by half. Newest suits and overcoats and all other goods being sacrificed at Carter’s Make Room Sale.—Advt.

For good value in Corsets and Corselettes try us. Corsets from 4/11 to 17/6. Corselettes 3/6 to 22/6 at Miss Noble’s, The Baby Shop, Dee street.— Advt.

“Beautyform” Corselettes 2/11; Wrap Ons 5/11; Corsets 6/11. Three leading lines to be had only at Wicks’ Ltd., Cash Draper, Dee street. —Advt.

Sweets cheap. Delicious wrapped toffees only lOd per lb. Cakes of chocolate 9d, instead of 1/-, at Ayson’s 2 shops, 5 and 72 Dee street. —Advt.

Positive Proof that Rheumatoid Arthritis is curable. Sufferers in your own town state that never before has any treatment given them such remarkable results; swollen and painful knees, ankles and limbs have been restored to normal after a few weeks. Write Tavener, Arthritis Specialist, 183 High St. Ch. Ch. 5 weeks treatment 17/6 posted.— Advt.

Monday marks the commencement of “Baby Week” at Thomson and Beattie, Ltd., and special displays of tiny tots’ apparel will be created in the store and windows. The following layette will be offered throughout the week at the low price of 19/6: —2 gowns, 2 flannel barras, 2 vests, and 1 binder, all of this firm’s usual high quality.—Advt.

We invite you to call and see our large stock of ’XMAS ANNUALS for sending OVERSEAS. Tui's Annual 2/-; Otago Witness 2/-; Auckland Weekly News 2/-; N.Z. Free Lance 2/-; N.Z. Illustrated 2/-; Christchurch Star 2/-; N.Z. Traveller 1/6. Postage: British Dominions Id; foreign countries 4d. Next mail closes October 29. N.Z. BOOK DEPOT, 49-51 Esk street, Invercargill. (Advt.) BRITISH TOOTHBRUSHES., CHEMIST’S QUALITY. Four-row Pure Bristle. 9d EACH. 3 FOR 2/-. Sterilized, Prophylactic. STEWARTS’ PHARMACY, Comer Dee & Don Streets. —Advt.