TOPICS OF THE TIMES

Southland Times, Issue 22378, 18 July 1934, Page 6

TOPICS OF THE TIMES

Russia And The League.

Speaking as a member of a deputation to the British Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary from the National Joint Council of the British Labour Movement, Mr Citrine, secretary of the Trades Union Congress, said that it was certain that the German Government Intended to possess a degree of military strength equivalent to their neighbours and were now rearming. The question, therefore, arose—What were the remaining forces in the world, beside the British Government, which could be counted on to maintain peace and stability? The National Joint Council had no faith in the policy of defensive alliances, and regarded the League, imperfect as it might be, as the only practicable instrument for that purpose. On the strengthening of the influence of the League they pinned their faith, and there were two Powers, the United States and Russia, whose more active co-operation would immensely fortify the League. In the case of Russia there had been recent indications of a change of attitude. If the British Government, whose influence abroad was unique, would take the risk of making some approach or of indicating in some form to the Russian Government that their presence in the League would be welcome it would probably be the starting point of very important discussions.

An Empire Plan. Speaking at the Calcutta dinner •in London, Sir George Schuster described the successful Lancashire Mission to India, led by Sir William Clare Lees, and the subsequent visit of Sir Richard Jackson on behalf of the Lancashire Cotton Committee, as “extremely significant and valuable.” The mission should be regarded not as an isolated act, but as a forerunner of mutually advantageous trade arrangements between the various units of the Empire. Could they not broader trade mission to India, composed of farseeing and sympathetic men, to explore the possibilities of developing trade and goods which India herself could not manufacture, and approaching the matter on the same basis—namely, that the more British goods India could buy, the more could British purchasers help the Indian agriculturists by taking their produce? Could they not go farther than this and extend the basis of discussion to the whole British Commonwealth’ of Nations, so as to build up the spirit of Ottawa on a broader and sounder foundation? The ideal must be an economic plan for the whole British Commonwealth aiming at a measure of economic rationalization and at welding the whole group into one economic unit which could make the most of its own opportunities for production and trade and then use its immense combined strength for developing trade arrangements with other nations. To _ such a plan, and from such a plan, there was no country in the British Commonwealth which could contribute so much or gain so much as India. Hoarded Gold. Some pointed remarks about the “hoarding” of gold by the central and other banks were made by M. Charles Rist, a leading French economist and former Deputy Governor of the Bank of France. “All economic authorities are to-day agreed,” he said, "that a rise in prices would be encouraging to trade, but all the efforts of the monetary chiefs are directed towards preventing this rise, because they are engaged in buying up gold and storing it in their vaults without creating corresponding credits. It is not generally realized that all the gold mined in the world last year was bought by the central banks.” Asked whether France would devaluate the franc in face of the continued depreciation of other currencies, M. Rist said devaluation of the franc would only start another currency depreciation race and would not help the French people out of their difficulties. The salvation of the French exporting industries did not lie in devaluation, but in the reduction of costs of production by reorganization.

Last evening the Dominion Meteorologist issued the following information. The recent depression is now located east of the Dominion, and an anticyclone is approaching across the Tasman. Pressure is again falling, however, over Tasmania. Forecast: Winds moderate to strong southerly, and still of gale force at places along the East Coast, hut decreasing soon. Seas in New Zealand waters moderate south of Farewell Spit and north of East Cape, elsewhere rough. Eastern Tasman: Moderate southerly winds, veering to west and north-west in the southern portion; seas moderate. Weather fine in western districts of the South Island; elsewhere changeable, with passing showers and in places hail, but conditions improving to-morrow. Cold temperatures, with sharp frosts inland.

During the recent heavy fall of show in the Mossburn district it is estimated that from 3000 to 5000 sheep perished on Burwood Station, the property of Messrs W. E. and J. S. Hazlett.

At 5 p.m. yesterday the City Fire Brigade received a call to 240 Conon street, where kapok bedding in one of the rooms of a house owned by Mr M. Fahey had caught fire. The outbreak, which was caused by sparks from an open grate, was suppressed without difficulty.

An unwelcome visitor to M. Pouishnoff’s recital in Christchurch on a recent evening was a fat, long-tailed rat. He must have been one of the early ones in the audience for he had the foremost of front seats. No doubt he was drinking in the soothing tones of Mr Horace Stevens’ “Hear Me Ye Winds and Waves,” and M. Left Pouishnoff’s Preludes. But Chopin was too much for the visitor. He sat out the concert until the final Chopin “fantasie,” and then with big booming tones coming from the piano, he ran up on 'to the stage, and settled himself among the stage-lights. M. Pouishnoff was unconcerned—he did not see the intruder.

A spirit of genuine optimism is abroad, and no wonder with so much general merchandise 1 being imported. The New Zealand Shipping Company’s Orari, which sailed from Bluff on Saturday, discharged 2000 tons of general cargo for Southland importers. Salt, ironware and hardware from West of England ports were consigned to local business houses. And this rush is by no means over. The Kumara is due from Port Chalmers on Thursday with 1500 tons of goods. In the railway B shed the scene presented during the last few days has been an animated one. Between 40 and 50 men have been engaged in the many duties involved in the handling of the imports. This influx of goods is no doubt due to the fact that merchants’ stocks have become very low. Dealers have been carrying out their operations on a hand to mouth basis, but the promise of better times and the gradual disappearance round the corner of depression’s dull tail has succeeded in stimulating interest in ffie import business.

In the address which he gave to members of the General Committee of the Chamber of Commerce in Wellington on aerodrome construction, Mr E. A. Gibson, of the Public Works Department, said the finest way of all to view New Zealand’s finest scenery was from the air. He was convinced that there were great possibilities in the development of sightseeing air tours of the West Coast and Southern Alps, the beauties of which were so often completely passed over by visitors to the Dominion because they had no time to spare, but an air tour would open up the whole region in a matter of hours. Mr Gibson illustrated his remarks with a series of lantern slides taken from aeroplanes running down the western side of the Alps at a considerable altitude, showing, as well as the recognized scenic attractions, such as the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers, Mount Cook, Mount Tasman and other peaks, a number of unknown and unnamed glaciers, river valleys, mountain gorges, and snowfields of wonderful grandeur. Coastal scenes were most interesting also, and the tour was concluded with aerial photographs of farmlands and homesteads on the eastern plains of the South Island. Members of the committee were very much impressed with Mr Gibson’s conviction that there is a big field in air tourist possibilities.

Nine tenders vzere received by the Mokotua Dairy Factory Company for the work of carrying out alterations to the factory, and it was decided by the directors to accept the tender of Mr Stacey Walker, of Tuatapere, for £314.

On the application of solicitors in the Southland district probates or letters of administration have been granted in the following deceased persons’ estates by Mr Justice Kennedy:— Francis Howie McLeod, of Invercargill, retired farmer (Mr E. H. J. Preston); Charles Morgan, of Invercargill, retired (Macalister Bros.); James Gunn Clifford, of Invercargill, foreman (Mr E. H. J. Preston); Martha Pollard, of Clifton, widow (Longuet and Robertson; John Watson, of Invercargill, retired plumber (Watson and Watson); John Baxter, of Riverton, settler (Mr E. B. Patrick, Riverton).

A strange bird found at Hastings, and sent to the Auckland War Memorial Museum, has been identified by Mr R. J A. Falla, ornithologist on the museum staff, as a red phalarope. , It is a wanderer from the Arctic and the present is the third specimen found in New Zealand. The bird is of a rich chestnut red colour and is about half the size of a godwit. Its home is Siberia and Alaska. Its feet are half-webbed and it is able to spend much of its time at sea. The specimen examined by Mr Falla was in full nesting plumage. The two previous specimens of red phalarope were both found in Canterbury, the first in 1883.

A story concerning three prisoners who possessed a sense of humour was told by the Rev. A. Don at a reunion held in Dunedin as part of the celebrations of the eightieth anniversary of the formation of the Presbytery of Otago. He said that while he was stationed at Lawrence he heard that one of a gang of prisoners working on the road through the township possessed the same name as himself. His curiosity impelled him to question the man, whom, he found very reluctant to make any statement with respect to his family. The reason for this reticence became apparent later when it was discovered tthat three men who had been arrested had given false names, the names that they had chosen being those of three local clergymen— Mr Smith (a Methodist), Archdeacon Beaumont,' and the speaker.

Shags have, through disuse, lost the use of their nostrils, and have developed a wonderful system by which they are able to supply themselves with air while under water, stated Mr E. F. Stead in an address in Christchurch on Friday night. Shags, he said, have developed five pairs of air sacs in their bodies, as well as lungs, and their wings bones, being hollow, also serve as air reservoirs. The birds thus are able to remain under water for as much as a minute at a time. Another interesting point about the shag is that all its four toes are webbed, instead of only three, as in other water birds. “It has been said that shags are enemes of the fisherman,” Mr Stead continued, “but they are more the enemies of the enemies of the fishermen—eels. Shags, admittedly take a few trout, but an important item in their diet is eel.” In connection with the football match the evening trains from Invercargill to Clinton, Lumsden, Tuatapere and Wairio will be delayed on Saturday next. Particulars are advertised in this issue.—Advt. Uniform quality, the result of age and judicious blending, is the surest and best advertisement for Dewar’s Whisky.—Advt. Beautiful Quality. Latest colourings and designs in Dainty Silk Locknit Underclothing. See our big window display.—Wicks’ Ltd., Cash Drapers, Dee Street.—Advt. Ring 1446 for first grade Coal and dry Firewood at moderate prices. H. T. Fairbairn, 101 Nith Street. Yard, 142 Earn Street.—Advt. Breechette sets for the toddlers at sale prices. Big reductions on all wool sets at Miss Noble’s, The Baby Shop, Dee Street.—Advt. For goodness sake take Mixture 98 for influenza, colds and coughs. It cures when other good remedies fail; the first dose relieves; 2/6, from all first-class stores.—Advt. Big Reductions off Small Boys’ Overcoats—l2 Coats 15/6, reduced to 9/6; 10 Coats 24/6, reduced to 12/6. Also big reductions off 200 Men’s Overcoats which we are not replacing. Carter’s Winter Sale. (Advt.)

Fur collars are cheap to-day but they are sure to go up in price within a short time. Get your requirements while prices are the lowest in the history of the trade. Quality goods only. —IHE MUTUAL FUR CO., Tay Street. —Advt. AT LAST! SCIENCE rescues the DEAFENED. The wonderful “SONOTONE” instrument has revoluntionized the science of hearing help with its new BONE-CONDUCTION technique. By means of this crowning achievement the deaf can hear distinctly without the use of the outer ear. Ask for demonstration. Wm. Stewart, Chemist, Dee Street, Southland Agent.— Advt. HIS WIFE KNEW. “John,” said his wife, “you’re simply frozen. You can’t possibly go out tonight.” “Got to,” he mumbled through chattering teeth, “promised.” “Well, if you must go, let me make you a cup of Tiger Tea first.” John agreed gratefully for he knew from experience that nothing makes a cold and tired man so ready to begin again as a cup of this fragrant, satisfying tea. Obtainable from all grocers at 2/10 per lb. (Advt.) A window display at present attracting a great deal of interest in Tay Street features the beautiful advance sample evening frocks recently opened by Messrs Thomson & Beattie, Ltd. These frocks include the newest Checked and Plaid Taffeta, velvets, net and satins, carefully designed in the very latest styles. Don’t miss this chance to study the season’s latest creations—Advt. “No study of headache is complete that does not reckon with the condition that may exist in the eye,” says Dr. G. M. Gould. There are thousands of cases on record where these symptoms have completely disappeared after sufferers had the eye-defects corrected by the wearing of properly fitted glasses. Don’t wait until your eyes go beyond help. Early care by having your eyes tested is a good investment. GEO. H. BROWN, M.P.S., F. 1.0., Chemist-Optician, Brown’s Pharmacy, 125 Dee street (over twenty-one yean’ practical service).—Advt. TAKE “BAXTER’S” AND "BAXTER’S” WILL TAKE CARE OF YOU. Colds quickly spread unless carefully checked. Keep a bottle of Baxter’s Lung Preserver handy. “Baxter’s” immediately relieves sore throats, hoarseness, etc., and is absolutely invaluable for troublesome influenza colds. Send to the nearest chemist or store for one of the 4/6, 2/6 or 1/6 sizes.—Advt.