TOPICS OF THE TIMES

Southland Times, Issue 22488, 24 January 1935, Page 6

TOPICS OF THE TIMES

The Human Factor.

The report of the National Institute of Industrial Psychology for 1933-4 is a striking proof of the way in which the general public is beginning to accept as sound and practical the subtle and difficult work which it carries out, says a London commentator. More and more the initiative is being taken by business firms and educational authorities, as well as by private individuals, in asking the institute to advise them. Nor are the demands always moderate. The management of one factory wanted changes made which would enable the output to be increased by 50 per cent., and also wanted the cost of the changes to be recovered in the first half-year of their operation, yet they were satisfied that the institute had achieved this. Increases in human contentment cannot be measured, and the value of an all-round increase in productive efficiency is not easily calculated, so it is from the number of these demands that success must partly be judged.

Labour Leadership. For the last 28 years the Labour Party secretaryship has been held by a member of the House of Commons, first by Mr Ramsay MacDonald and then (since 1911) by Mr Arthur Henderson. At its conference recently the party decided that Mr Henderson’s successor should not sit in the House, but should be an administrative official, giving his whole time to the service of the machine. The reasons behind the decision were mixed, remarks the Manchester Guardian. What counted most, perhaps, was the feeling that when next there is a Labour Government, the party secretary should not be involved in its internal struggles. Memories of 1931 die hard. The effects of the new policy will only make themselves felt slowly. Time alone will show whether in its anxiety to keep the machine clear of Parliamentary intrigues, the party has not actually increased the prestige and authority of the leader of the Parliamentary party on the one hand and the political influence of the Trades Union Congress on the other. Wild Life in India. Representatives of provincial Governments in India are assembling at Simla at the invitation of the Central Government, to confer on the problem of the preservation of wild life in India. A report on the subject has been prepared, following an international conference some time ago. It is considered that methods of preserving wild life in Africa have little application to India. Africa has enormous spaces where a scanty population has no such grin, competition for existence as is common in so densely-peopled a subcontinent as India. The menace to its wild life, too, comes as much from foreign expeditions and organized, but indiscriminate shikari as from indigenous needs or enterprise. India’s corresponding necessity, on the other hand, is means for the preservation of human life by trade, food and resistence to the ravages of wild animals, which destroy crops where they do not eat human beings. It is difficult enough to teach elementary care and consideration for the bullocks, cows, buffaloes, donkeys and horses that give their owners various essential services. It would be no easier to persuade any considerable proportion of 350,000,000 people that, at certain times of the year or within certain areas and limitations, the marauding tiger, bear or panther, the edible flesh of bird and beast, or the marketable hide of a crocodile is better alive than dead, and must be kept alive deliberately.

Last evening the Dominion Meteorologist issued the following information: A slight anti-cyclone extends over the North Tasman Sea and northern NewZealand, but a rather intense depression is advancing across the southern Tasman, barometers having already fallen considerably in the far south. Forecast: Winds moderate to strong north-westerly to westerly, reaching gale force at places south of New Plymouth and Castlepoint. Seas in New Zealand waters rough south of Cape Egmont and in Foveaux Strait, rising also about Cook Strait; elsewhere moderate. Eastern Tasman Sea: Strong north-westerly winds, of gale force in the southern portion, backing to westerly and later to southerly; seas rough. Weather fine and warm generally at first, but soon becoming unsettled in western and southern parts of the South Island, with rain developing in those areas and later extending to western districts of the North Island.

In accordance with the custom adopted for some years past, members of the Mataura Girl Guides Company left on Monday for their annual camp ; the venue for this year’s fixture-being at Papatowai. Under the command .of Miss Nancy Hedley (captain) the girls will undergo the usual course of instruction, while the pleasure and sports side of the week under canvas will not be lost sight of.

Thrills of an unusual variety may be expected at Rugby Park this evening when motor cycle races will be held by the Southland Motor Cycle Club. This energetic body conducted fixtures on the Park three seasons ago and in the intervening period has held races on Oreti Beach. There are many advantages in holding races on a circular grass track, however, for there the whole progress of a race may be witnessed. Large entries have been received for this evening’s meeting, and many crack riders will participate in the numerous events.

“They have had a very fine summer in England,” said Mr G. R. Ritchie, general manager of the National Mortgage and Agency Company, Ltd., who has returned to Christchurch after spending nine months at Home, during an interview on Tuesday. “It was a little like New Zealand,” he added, “in that from the moment that I landed I heard people complaining of the drought; but the country everywhere looked as green as the Canterbury plains at their very best. It certainly did not look as if there had been a drought.”

Recently a Lyttelton resident picked up an insect on a hose which was supplying the motor-ship Pakura with water. He sent it to Mr J. Drummond, who identified it as a tortoise beetle. It is an Australian species that has come into New Zealand. The eggs, Mr Drummond stated, probably came with Australian timber. The insect lives mainly on eucalyptus trees, eating the leaves and doing a great deal of damage. In Australia it is called the eucalyptus beetle. Apparently it is not uncommon in Lyttelton, for another resident killed a similar insect some days later.

“For a time we were spending more than we were receiving,” said the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, replying on Monday to a deputation from the Canterbury Unemployed Workers’ Association which was seeking an increase in relief pay. “This year,” continued Mr Forbes, we should be able to make ends meet, but no more. I do not think we will do much more than we anticipated when the budget was brought down. However, this is hopeful and much better than in the last few years. Better returns from taxation mean more business.”

There are many indications of the steadily improving economic conditions, most of these showing that people have more spending power than was the case at this time last year, while the more confident tone in Auckland is encouraging them to spend more freely (states the New Zealand Herald). The experience of the Automobile Association m the greater readiness with which members are paying their annual subscriptions can be regarded as an excellent barometer pointing to the changing conditions. Throughout this financial year the payment of subscriptions has shown steady improvement. The association’s financial year begins on September 1 and to the end of December 59.12 per cent, of the members had paid their subscriptions. For the same period up to December, 1933, the figure was 51.58 per cent. In addition, the membership has increased from 14,719 at December, 1933, to 15,809 at the end of last year.

An interesting instance of American “go-gettemess” is gratefully vouched for by a Dunedin resident who had occasion recently to throw himself on the mercy of the United States postal authorities in respect to the discovery of a sister who left Dunedin to take up residence in America many years ago. With no address to offer as a guide, nor even the haziest indication as to where in that wide continent his sister and her husband went to live, the searcher wrote to the chief postmaster at San Francisco, to whom he was a total stranger, and asked him if any useful inquiries could be male. The postmaster immediately set to work and made inquiries in every direction to such excellent effect that he was able to advise his unknown correspondent by return mail that he had located his sister and forwarded to her the letter which had been left in his charge. The incident may be said to illustrate the obliging character of the postal official and the efficiency of the service of which he is a member.

Cream spun silk bloomers in S.W. and women’s size 1/8; silk locknit at 2/6 and 2/11; X.O.S. 3/6, all shades. Wicks’ Ltd., Cash Drapers, Invercargill and Gore. — Advt.

Children’s hats at sale prices. Panamas, navy bands, 2/11 and 3/11, flops 1/6, helmets 1/6, maids’ white hats 1/11 at Miss Noble’s, The Baby Shop, Dee street.—Advt.

SNAPSHOTS that are pictures. Brown, The Chemist, will produce the best possible results. GEORGE H. BROWN, Chemist, 125 Dee Street.— Advt.

No drapery sales have the power of attraction like Thomson and Beattie’s. To-day sees the start of another of this old, reliable firm’s bi-annual economy events. Everything for every member of the family is genuinely reduced and all school clothes are priced at the lowest figure.—Advt

Big bargains at Carter’s Stock Reducing Sale. Men’s Pyjamas 4/5, dress shirts 3/11, collars 6d; work shirts 3/6 and 3/11, guaranteed wear. Fancy Socks half price 1/-; boys’ super quality school hose 2/6, all sizes, Technical and High Schol included. See advertisement Front Page.—Advt.

PRINTS that will not fade, discolour, or lose their first day brilliance. That’s the kind we make. GEORGE H. BROWN, Chemist, 125 Dee Street. —Advt.

There is nothing my lady wears that is so much appreciated as Furs. The gift of gifts, there is nothing looks better, wears better and gives that added charm as furs do, and they are to be bought cheaply these days. We have the finest selection of quality .goods in Southland at prices in keeping with the times. The Mutual Fur Co., Tay street.—Advt.

FlLMS—Bring them to Brown, The Chemist, and get better results. Bright, snappy prints. That’s the kind we make. Prices right too. GEORGE H. BROWN, Chemist, 125 Dee Street. —Advt.

FOR BEST RESULTS Let STEWART’S PHARMACY Do your DEVELOPING and PRINTING. —Advt. NOT FASHIONABLE TO-DAY. Nobody enjoys a cough and cold at any time, but in summer time these complaints are absolutely devastating. One's appearance is definitely spoilt; watery eyes, a red nose, and a husky voice are not attributes to beauty.

Keep clear of colds by keeping a bottle of Baxter’s Lung Preserver handy. “Baxter’s” quickly wards off trouble and its tonic properties are greatly appreciated. Pin your faith to “Baxter’s"—l/6, 2/6 and 4/6.—Advt.