TOPICS OF THE TIMES

Southland Times, Issue 22294, 9 April 1934, Page 4

TOPICS OF THE TIMES

Control in Industry. Lord Astor, who presided at a luncheon of the Industrial Co-partnership Association, said that if industry was to be controlled there appeared to be three ways of doing it. Control could be given to a board ox- organization elected by producers, to an organization elected by consumers, ox- to a Minister ox' Department of State. He was beginning to suspect that no body of producers could get a maximum of efficiency because no body elected by producers dare fix prices at such a low figure as would eliminate inefficiency. It seemed to him they should have to choose between a body representing consumers ox- a Minister, and they had found at the Ministry of Food that it was very difficult for a Minister to fxx prices sufficiently low to knock out inefficiency.

Industrial Co-operation. The “Whithex' Britain” series of 8.8. C. lectures was continued by Mr Israel M. Sieff, a successful businessman, who has never sought publicity. “The troubles through which we have been passing,” he said, “have been due to the fact that at the point where goods have to be sold a huge breakdown has occurred. On one side are found nxillions of consumers who cannot afford to, buy what they waxxt because they are not earning enough, and on the other side are found millions of producers who cannot sell all they produce. Naturally, therefore, to me, the question, ‘Whither Britain?’ in the main means, how is this gap to be bridged? Because there is no cooperation between the different firms and processes in an industry, large numbers of factories have to work half-time, and large numbers of workers have to go on the dole. The manufacturers make less profit and pay less income tax, and the consumers go without being able to satisfy then needs. The cry is heard that trade is bad, as if there were some mysterious disease abroad which no one could do anything about. Nothing of the kind. If trade is bad, if men are on the dole, if profits are not being made, it points to the absence of thought and imagination, of the power to coordinate industrial and financial processes, and to the lack of a forward courageous sales policy by a strong marketing organization for the industry. There is no magic in this suggestion. It is a question of organization, of give and take between the consumer, the retailer, and the manufacturer, which enables costs to be got down so that far more goods can be consumed. Yet a lot of manufacturers and a lot of othex- people still think in the old way, as if the problem were to make things, and not to arrange for consuming them. If our industry organizations are to be of use, not only to their members, but to the industry as a whole, and finally to the people whom they serve, they ought to express such ideas as employing mere people bringing about improved relations between management and labour, increasing sales by lowering costs, and developing new markets, and so on.”

Fear and Suspicion. “It must have struck you, as it has struck me, that nearly all our existing organizations—industrial and workers’ —such as employers’ associations, trade unions, and so forth—are based on fear,” continued Mi- Sieff. “They are formed usually to defend their members against some hostile body, ox- as in trade associations, against other groups, and very often to guard theii’ closelykept business secrets. Why can’t we get rid of this fear and suspicion in business? After all, it doesn't even do what it pretends to. Let me tell you a story. A big business amalgamation happened not long ago, in which 15 rival firms were incorporated in a single big undertaking. As soon as the pool was complete, officials of the new concern went carefully through all the businesses it had bought in order to discover theii- business secrets. Every firm out of the 15 had a lot of secret processes, and it turned out when they went into it that every firm out of the 15 knew all the so-called secrets of the other 14. All the time and effort that are still being spent on this rather childish game could be better employed. Instead of organizing to do one anothei’ down, we might try organizing to help one another. We don’t want fear and anarchy in industry. Is it beyond us to find a way for the cotton industx'y, the iron and steel industry, and the coal-mining industry to govern themselves without relying on State support? Why can’t every decent industry settle its own affairs through its own industry council? Why should not industry take upon itself the responsibility of organizing its labour intake and outgoing.”

Last evening the Dominion Meteorologist issued the following information: The recent anti-cyclone has passed farther to the eastward, and the front portion of an intense westerly depression has moved on to the South Island. Forecast: Winds moderate to strong northerly to north-westerly, reaching gale force at places south of Cape Egmont and Castlepoint; backing to south-westerly after 24 to 36 hours. Seas in New Zealand waters rough south of Cape Egmont and off shore south of Castlepoint, elsewhere moderate. Eastern Tasman, strong northwest to west winds, backing shortly to south-west; seas rough. Weather unsettled in districts with a westerly aspect and in the far south, with rain; some heavy falls likely in Westland. Fair to cloudy and warm at first in eastern districts, later showers extending to those parts also.

During the week-end harvest celebrations were carried out by the Salvation Army at the Citadel in Tay street. A striking appearance was presented by the interiox- of the hall, which was tastefully decorated. Yesterday a special thanksgiving day was conducted by Captain Goffin, son of Adjutant Goffin, now of Napier, who was at one time officer-in-charge at Invercargill. The celebrations will be continued today and to-morrow.

What would at first appeal- to be a practical impossibility, but is actually an achieved feat of American surgery, was heard over the air on Friday evening from KFI Los Angeles, when it was announced that a man from Massachusetts,who had had his vocal cords removed, would speak through the microphone. The voice came ovex- the air clearly and distinctly, though it tended to be flat and thin. It was announced that the treated man originally had a deep, strong voice.

“It seems axx extraordinary thing that the New Zealand women have such tiny feet,” said Mrs P. T. Berry, a world-wide traveller, now visiting Christchurch. “American women also have very small feet and I was told that it was because they did so little walking and took so little exercise. The same explanation obviously cannot apply to the women of New Zealand.” Mrs Berry added that although their feet were' tiny, their hearts were big. She had heard Christchurch referred to as “the loving city,” and her experiences had proved it to be correct. The women of New Zealand were also most progressive.

The Civic Band will provide a first class varied programme at the Salvation Army Citadel to-night at 7.45 o’clock. The band is in excellent form after its practices and participation in the recent band contest; there are champion individual players and the list will contain many varied items. The Citadel presents a beautiful sight, having been decorated by many willing hands for this special occasion. A splendid display of fruit and produce has been arranged. The admission is sixpence. Another- programme will follow; on Tuesday evening at 7.30. Admission is free and an auction of goods will follow. Large crowds attended the Sunday meeting and it is anticipated that a full hall will face the band to-night. Captain Goffin will act as chairman.

Dog stealing has become common in Wellington, and disappearances of dogs from city and suburban homes are reported almost daily. Although in some instances accidents and other traceable causes have accounted for disappearances, there remain many dogs whose absence cannot be explained by any theory other- than that they have been stolen. More than 20 dogs, many of them of pedigree, were stolen ox- held for reward during March, according to information received by the TailWaggers’ Club. An official of the club considered that many dogs were removed to othex- parts of the country fox- sale. Several valuable animals had been missed by their owners and later traced miles away. Cocker spaniels, which apparently found a ready market in country districts because of theiivalue in rabbit shooting, had disappeared from a number of homes. The length of time that several dogs had been detained led to the conclusion that they had been taken from their home kennels and deliberately kept.

Ring 1446 fox- first grade Coal and dry Firewood at moderate prices. H. T. Fairbairn, 101 Nith Street. Yard, 142 Earn Street. —Advt. Connoiseurs ask for it. “DEWAR'S WHISKY.”—Advt. Ladies’ Fabric Gloves—Latest Shades and Styles at 2/4, 2/9 and 3/3, showing at Wicks’ Ltd., Cash Drapers, Dee street.—Advt. No rise! Prices of newest leathexovercoats and tweed overcoats at absolutely old prices. Nevei’ again will prices and qualities be so good. Also the newest suits for Easter. All reduced at Carter's Make Room Sale.—Advt. Fox- Influenza—Take no risks, take 98, 2/6, from first class stores.—Advt. Children’s coats in newest styles 16 to 34 inch 11/6 to 45/-. Small boys’ coats 12/6 to 15/6 at Miss Noble’s, The Baby Shop, Dee street. —Advt. AFTER INFLUENZA. You will need a pick me up. STEWART’S VIGOR TONIC Will quickly give you Health, Strength and Energy. 2/6 and 4/6 per bottle. STEWART’S PHARMACY. Dee Street.—Advt. COULD NOT HOLD A PEN TO WRITE. A Napiex- Rheumatic sufferer writes stating that before taking TAVENER’S ARTHRITIS PRESCRIPTION hex- hands were so stiff and swollen that she could not hold a pen to write. Hex- knees and hips were so painful, stiff and swollen that she always had to be assisted to her feet. After foux- months Treatment she is quite free from all pain, stiffness and swelling, and feels bright, active and strong. Write for FREE BOOK on complete Treatment to JAMES T. TAVENER, M.P.S. Ph.C, Rheumatic Specialist and Chemist, 183 High St., Christchurch (five weeks treatment 17/6).—Advt. For stubborn colds and coughs take 98. All first class stores 2/6.—Advt. Thomson and Beattie Ltd. have just received from their London buyer a splendid, low-priced line of Heavy Shetland Knitted Bed Jackets, made in the hug-me-tight style. They are knitted with a loose, lacy effect, and the sleeves are commodious, terminating in close knitted cuffs three inches deep. Priced at only 6/6, they are offered in shades of Pink, Apple, Sky and Peach, each shade with 50 per cent of white. —Advt. When all else fails 9B, from first class stores 2/6. —Advt. Jack: Where are you going this weekend ? , Jill: To bed probably if this cold doesn’t go away soon. I’m one of the unlucky sort who get heavy chest coughs, keep them for monSis, loose strength and take months to get fit again. Those are the colds that need, Baxter’s Lung Preserver most of all. “Baxter’s” clears the cold right out of the system. It has excellent tonic properties that build strength and resistance. “Baxter’s” has no equal. 1/6, 2/6 and 4/6 sizes at all chemists and stores. — Advt.

The fact that nearly £1,000,000 has been spent in Napiex - since the earthquake of 1931 gives some idea of the extent of progress made in the rebuilding of the town during the past three years. Actually permits to the value of £900,048 have been issued in Napiex- since the earthquake. During the year ended March 31 permits to the value of £140,455 were issued for buildings, compared with £391,581 fox- the previous year. These figures indicate a substantial falling-off. Last moixth 17 permits were issued, representing a total value of £21,739, compared with 20 permits to a value of £21,105 fox' the corresponding month of last year. The most important buildings fox- which permits were issued last month were the State Fire Office, £4913, and the A.M.P. Society Building, £11,380. A number- of claims have been made this year concerning giant sunflowers. A recent report was from Mx- W. Wilkie, of Carrington road, New Plymouth, who grew a sunflower with a diameter' of 18in and a stem of Bft in length. A better record still is claimed by the courthouse staff at Palmerston North, who have grown one _ in the ground at the back of the building having a diameter of 22in. The seed head alone is IGin across. The height of the New Plymouth sunflower is also exceeded, as the Palmerston North specimen has a height of 9ft lin. The ground on which the sunflowers are grown was formerly covered by blackberry. It has been suggested that the unusual environment assisted the plants, as the strongest and most upright ones were found outside the windows of the judges’ room.

A remarkable record of longevity was mentioned at the gathering of old settlers of the Whangarei district recently. It concerned the Hawken family (reports the Northern Advocate). Four sons of the late Mr William Hawken left St. Catherine’s Docks, London, on the ship Excelsior, 75 years ago this month, and are all alive to-day. They are:—Charles Hawken, of Maunu, 93 years of age, and the oldest man at the gathering; Gilbert, of Ranfurly Road, Epsom, aged 87; William, Maungatapere, 85; and Harry, Beckenham Avenue, Royal Oak, 82. All except Gilbert vzere in attendance at the reunion. So far as is known, the only othex- survivor of the ship’s company on that voyage is Mrs Birdsall, of Campbell Park, Auckland. The Hawkens landed in Auckland in April, 1859, and settled in Whangarei five weeks later.

The great trouble in France was that there were too many parties in the Government, said M. P. Pellier, a French business man resident in Sydneys when interviewed in Wellington last week. The newly-formed Government would not be in power very long, and there would eventually have to be an election. This could take place if the President, on the advice of his Ministers, decided to dissolve the Assembly. The Fascist movement was not gaining ground in France, he said. France was not a country that would tolerate rule by Fascists, and in this respect it was more like England. Generally the situation in France was very bad. Cost of living was very high—much higher- than in Australia—and her adherence to the gold standard was losing her much export trade. However, the Government was determined to keep to gold as long as possible, and it was difficult to see the outcome.