In the News

Southland Times, Issue 24755, 28 May 1942, Page 4

In the News

Peter Dawson’s Tour

In reply to a telegram protesting acainst the exclusion of Southland from the New Zealand itinerary of Mr Peter Dawson, the well-known singer, Mr W. F. Sturman. honorary secretary of the Southland Provincial Patriotic Council, yesterday received a telegram from Mr G. A. Hayden, secretary of the National Patriotic Fund Board, stating that the National Broadcasting Corporation arranged Mr Dawson’s itinerary, and regretting that it was impossible to vary the itinerary to permit of a visit to Invercargill.

Sunday Pictures As a result of recent references to Sunday picture entertainment for troops, the Film Industries Board, which is the official body representing all sections of the film industry, passed a resolution reaffirming its previous attitude that it was opposed to the opening of picture theatres on Sundays, but it also recorded the view that if the authorities considered war conditions demanded it, the industry was prepared to co-operate in the provision of such entertainment under normal conditions in localities where it may be required. —PA. A Bad Risk

“It is a serious matter for an unlicensed driver to drive a motor-veh-icle-because if there is an accident ana someone else is hurt the insurance company will not pay damages,” said Mr R. C. Abernethy, S.M., in dealing with a case of this sort at a sitting of the Invercargill Magistrate’s Court yesterday. “A lot of people don’t seem to know this, or else deliberately take the risk. It is a pretty bad risk. No matter what the difficulties are at the present time, no one should drive bn the roads without a driver’s licence.” Potato Prices A resolution suggesting that the prices of seed and table potatoes be based on North Island parity of this season to provide for growing enough potatoes to meet the increasing demands expected was passed by the executive of the North Canterbury branch of the Fanners’ Union yesterday. The resolution added that under the present price fixed in Canterbury the Minister. of Marketing must accept responsibility for any shortage.—P.A.

Busy with Complaints “During the last few weeks most of my time has been filled by interviewing owners of premises who had raised complaints about requisitions for E.P.S. equipment. All such complaints, so far, have been overcome in a pleasant manner,” stated the superintendent of the Invercargill Fire Brigade, Mr J. Philp, at a meeting of the board yesterday. Changing Regulations

“I do not know where the E.P.S. really stands. Regulations are changed so often that organizations decided on at one meeting have to-be altered at the next,” said the chairman, Mr W. Jones, at a meeting of the Whangarei E.P.S. central committee. He was referring to the decision to enrol all men from 35 to 51 in the Home Guard. “The only thing to do is to stay where we are until we see what happens about the Home Guard,” he added. Methods of Economy ,

The use of the backs of letters for carbon copies of replies has been suggested as a paper-saving measure. This also saves considerable space in the files and replies can never be mislaid. Another suggestion is that the Government might save the country thousands of pounds if it would offer a substantial prize each month for the best suggestion put forward by anyone, not only in Government departments, for new methods of economy.

Road Maintenance The problem of financing the maintenance of highways in view of the diminishing revenue from petrol and other taxes consequent on the restrictions on. motoring was discussed by the Automobile Association (Auckland). It was decided to bring the subject before the North Island Motor Union and suggest that the Government be asked to make a grant from the War Expenses Account to the Main Highways Board on the ground that military traffic was principally using the roads. The chairman, Mr F. G. Farrell, said there were comparatively few private cars on the roads and the indications were that there would be fewer in the future. There would be little revenue from sales of petrol and tyres and the registration of cars, and the Main Highways Board funds would be depleted. Civil Licence Needed “This prosecution will serve to show that a civil licence is still necessary in this country,” said Mr Raymond Ferner, S.M., at Kaikohe, when a soldier, Harry Clarence Tucker, was charged at Whangarei with having no driver’s licence and exceeding the speed limit. His speed through the main street of Kaikohe was estimated at 46 miles an hour. Tucker had been issued with an army authority to use the motor-cycle. “We want to make an example of this case,” said the traffic inspector. “There is far too much of this no licence business.” In view of the fact that Tucker had already been dealt with by the military authorities, he was convicted and discharged.