TOPICS OF THE TIMES

Southland Times, Issue 22207, 27 December 1933, Page 6

TOPICS OF THE TIMES

Ships and Subsidies. Dealing with the question of subsidized shipping The Times says:— “Foreign Governments are, it is estimated, spending something like £30,000,000 a year in promoting this uneconomic competition; and the result has been enormously to accentuate the glut of shipping, .which in any case would have been an inevitable consequence of the decline in international trade. In spite of much scrapping the gross tonnage of the world’s steam and motor shipping is today nearly 50 per cent, greater than

it was in 1914, although there is a smaller volume of trade for it to carry. Unnecessary tonnage has been created and kept in operation, and the working of the freight market on an economic basis has been made impossible. Private enterprise in shipping cannot maintain itself indefinitely against competition heavily subsidized by Governments; and, unless present tendencies are checked, the ultimate result must be to deprive international commerce of cheapness and efficiency in transport. It is doubtful whether the subsidizing nations themselves reap any net benefit from the damage thus inflicted on world shipping and world trade. The resulting excess of tonnage reduces the freight earnings of all ships, and reduced earnings call for larger subsidies, disorganizing national Budgets as well as international trade. Yet the practice is still growing.

Unemployed Youth. At a London gathering held to direct attention to the opportunities that exist for continued education, Lord Eustace Percy said he did not believe that the country had yet sufficiently realized the gravity of the special and unexampled problem which was presented at the present moment. It arose out of two factors. Ever since the industrial revolution almost they had proceeded on the assumption that, whatever might be the evils of blind-alley employment or the evils connected with the early employment of young people, there was permanent employment, if only of an unskilled and casual kind, for every boy coming out of the schools. That was no longer true. The second factor was that in the last 70 years they had been accustomed to find work for, on the whole, a steadily declining number of young people decade by decade. It was, he thought, some 76 years since the birth-rate began to fall. For the last 30 or 40 years they had only had to adapt themselves to a declining supply of juvenile labour in the labour market. They had adapted themselves to a very steep fall in the supply of juvenile labour which had occurred since the war. Now, in the next two, three, or four years, on the top of that failure of capacity to assure continuous employment to the rising generation, they were going to have thrown on the labour market a largely increasing volume of juvenile labour due to the high birth-rate immediately succeeding the war. The worst tragedy of the present day, he added, was the young person who had no industry and also no leisure because he had never been taught the mental habits which enabled a person to have leisure. Leisure was a matter of the capacity of the mind. Unjustified War Panic. Mr Oliver Stanley, Minister of Transport, staled recently that foreign relations presented a case for careful and anxious consideration, but he did not agree that there was a case for the amount of alarm which had been trumpeted about during the last few weeks. There had been a kind of war panic going over the country, and he had met men and women whose judgment should have been much better who seriously thought that they were in sight of a European war. Panic of that kind was quite unjustified. The lesson they had learned from the last war was that the results were equally disastrous for victors and vanquished. He viewed with some anxiety the general unsettlement current in Europe to-day, because it made international trade so difficult. Great Britain was prepared to join with other nations for further disarmament, but he did not think they would be true to their responsibilities if they continued setting an example which no other country up to now had shown any inclination to follow. Disarmament must be the result of general agreement; it must be real disarmament and not merely a screen behind which this nation or that could rearm.

Last evening the Government Meteorologist issued. the following weather report and forecast: Genet al situation: An anticyclone extends across the northern Tasman Sea and northern New Zealand, but a moderate low pressure wave is advancing over, the Southern Tasman. Forecast: Winds, moderate and variable north of New Plymouth, East Cape and elsewhere freshening northerly to westerly and backing to southerly again shortly in the south; seas, New Zealand waters rather rough about Cook and Fovcaux Straits, elsewhere smooth and moderate, Eastern Tasman moderate to fresh, north to west winds changing to southerly in the southern portion; seas, moderate in northern and rather rough in the southern portions; weather, mainly fair to fine at first, showers developing soon in the west districts, especially of the South Island and the far north.

The price of petrol has been raised in Invercargill by one penny a gallon.

Particulars of train arrangements in connection with the Wyndham races, Eluff Regatta, Tuataperc sports, Waikaia sports, Rivcrsdale sports and Invercargill races are advertised in this issue; also information regarding the issue of special excursion tickets to Bluff, Wyndham and Tuatapere.

Arrivals in New Zealand during November included 609 tourists the greatest number since February last, reports the Government Statistician. The tourist traffic is highly seasonal, December, January, and February being normally the peak months of the year in respect of tourist arrivals. The number of tourists arriving last month was considerably in excess of the November figures for 1931 and 1932. With the improvement now evident in economic conditions overseas as well as in New Zealand, a brighter tourist season than has been experienced in the last two years appears to be in prospect, with a consequent increase in returns from this “invisible export.”

Years ago Greymouth possessed a Chinese quarter of considerable size, and with a population of some hundreds, was located in the Gresson street area (states the Christchurch Press). To-day Chinatown has disappeared, and the last building occupied by them is now in process of demolition, three Chinese who were the tenants now being inmates of the Old People’s Home. In the early days there were thousands of Chinese on the West Coast, being mostly engaged in gold-digging. They were, it was stated, shipped across from Melbourne, and were transhipped outside the bar, being landed in batches of 50 or 60. In those days the Chinese had their own meeting hall and theatre, where national plays used to be so long that it was not unusual for one to occupy a week. The hall stood on the site now occupied by a petrol store. Except for a few fruiterers and laundrymen, it is unusual to see a Chinese in ,the‘ district nowadays.

Bringing home many of those who have to resume their work before the New Year, last evening’s express was a fairly heavy one. There were 13 carriages, and 200 passengers alighted at Invercargill.'

The sailing boat race at the Riverton Regatta yesterday resulted as follows: —Ruruhau (Messrs Stenton and Bailey) 1, Norway (Mr C. W. Hafford, Invercargill) 2, Ulva (Mr W. Hastings, Invercargill 3, Tomtit (Mr S. Mitchell) 4.

As the result of a fall while playing on Monday with another boy who pushed against him, Norman de Gamham, aged 6, living at 24 Clifton street. North Invercargill, suffered a fractured arm He was admitted to the Southland Hospital where he is progressing favourably.

James E. Watts,, a single man, who resides in Dee street, Invercargill, was admitted to the Dunedin Hospital early on Sunday morning suffering from a fracture of the left leg and a knee injury, which he received as the result of slipping on the footpath at the Caversham tram terminus, states the Otago Daily Times.

“As I am greatly interested in the export of New Zealand butter to this country, I was making inquiries last week with the local stores as to its sale,” says an Englishman, writing from Home to a resident in Wanganui. “They informed me that the demand for New Zealand butter has fallen oil of late, the public stating that the butter is too hard. It seems to me that some people are too critical over what thev eat, so I asked an opinion from my wife, and she says that it certainly is the hardest butter that she. has come across, but she does not think that is really a detriment. As I said, some people are faddy, and there might be some reason why your butter has this peculiarity. I cannot believe it is a matter of refrigeration.” It is interesting to note that this particular Englishman first took an interest in New Zealand butter as a result of a gift being sent to him last year.

Indications of improving economic conditions were referred to at a gathering of members of the Wellington Harbour Board and executive officers last week by Mr J. T. Grose, general manager of the National Bank of New Zealand. Mr Grose said that the year had been a difficult one. Twelve months ago on a similar occasion he had stated that they might hope that betterment would appear. Since then betterment had appeared. Our wool had increased substantially in value of late, and the indications appeared to be that the wool prices would be maintained. The prices obtained for meat and stock had also improved. He did not know exactly what the increased price for wool meant to New Zealand, but he t.iought it must represent an increase of six or seven million pounds in the Dominion s income. He hoped that would lead to rapid improvement in finances, which would create more employment and alleviate distress.

Shipping agents received consignments for some obscure and outlandish places, but an order recently handled by a New Plymouth firm must take precedence as a cargo for the fiinges of civilization. The consignment was one of New Zealand native plants and ferns for Sikkim State. No one knew where Sikkim State was, but, with the aid of an atlas and gazetteer, it was finally run to earth on the north-eastern boundary of India, in the east Himalayas. Its estimated area is 2818 square miles, a little more than two-thirds the area of Taranaki. Apparently it has a climate similar to that of New Zealand, but drier. It is said to be remarkable for the beauty of its scenery. Plants native to the Dominion seem to be sought after by horticulturists all over the world. Consignments have previously been sent to Germany, Holland, and India. The present consignment will be transhipped at Melbourne into a steamer bound for Calcutta. It will then find its way to Sikkim State by road and rail.

Ladies’ Cream Spun Silk Bloomers 1/6, real Fuji Silk Bloomers 1/11 Pair. Wicks’, Ltd., Cash Drapers, Dee Street. —Advt.

You would be surprised at the number of letters we have received from healthy outdoor people (men and women), telling us that they were amazed last season at the way “SUNOLA” fixed sunburn. “SUNOLA” 2/a bottle all'chemists and stores.—Advt.

Our workroom is not' closed between Christmas and New Year. Dressmaking orders taken as usual at Miss Noble’s, The Baby Shop, Dee street. —Advt.

Holiday sweets, etc. Delicious toffees and candies; fancy boxes of chocolates, ice cream, and refreshing drinks, at Ayson’s two shops, 5 and 72, Dee Street. —Advt.

Bits of broken glass in joints is how one Arthritis sufferer described his condition. Thanks to Taveners’ Arthritis Prescription he now states that he is completely cured, hasn’t an ache er pain. 5 weeks treatment 17/6 Tavener Chemist and Arthritis Specialist, 183 High St. Ch.Ch.—Advt.

Large selection of New Year Gifts Real quality goods at very low prices at Carter’s Christmas Suit Sale. Initial handkerchiefs 1/-, anti-crease tics 2/6, fancy socks 1/6 and 2/6: men’s white canoe shirts 5/6. See Carter’s advertisement front page.—Advt, ORDER OF MERIT: 1— DEWAR’S WHISKY. 2— OTHER BRANDS. —Advt. Follow the old custom, give good gifts. The variety of dainty Toilet Articles at BROWN’S, The Chemist, is so great that a visit is well repaid. BROWN’S PHARMACY, where the good Toilet gifts are. —Advt. For finest results possible and prompt service let us develop and print your holiday snapshots. George I. Moffett, Chemist.—Advt. For the best in summer Sports and Holiday Wear, pay a visit to Thomson & Beattie, Ltd., where every garment of fashion will be found. In our “Man’s Shop,” and in our Showroom, smart beach, tennis, and hiking clothes by leading manufacturers are offered at moderate prices.—Advt. THE USEFUL CHRISTMAS GIFT IS APPRECIATED. You’ll earn the grateful thanks of your friends if you give them a Christmas Presentation tin of the famous Tiger Tea. This famous tea has been specially packed ir- attractively decorated 21b tins, obtainable at all grocers at th' usual price of 2/8 per lb. When empty, the tins are ideal containers for biscuits and cakes.—Advt. IDEAL NEW YEAR GIFTS. BOX BROWNIE CAMERAS. Better than toys for girls and boys. Give pleasure on Christmas morning and through all the days to come. AND LOOK at the NEW LOW PRICES! NO. 2 in black and colours, 10/9; NO. 2 PORTRAIT in black and colours, 11/6; NO. 2A in black and colours, 13/9. Stewart’s Pharmacy, corner Dee and Don streets. —Advt.