In the News

Southland Times, Issue 24765, 9 June 1942, Page 4

In the News

Plenty of Soap A leading soap manufacturer (states The Evening Post) said that in his opinion there is nothing to be gained by rationing soap. During the past few days, he added, Wellington shops had been besieged by a certain excited section of the community who had been laying in stocks apparently thinking that soap would be the next commodity for which coupons would be required. The position regarding production was stated by this manufacturer to be entirely satisfactory. The chief raw material—tallow—was locally produced and ample supplies were available. Soap manufacturers generally had sufficient stocks of the necessary chemicals to last for a long period. The public therefore could be assured that there was absolutely no need for laying in stocks of soap at the present time. Influenza Epidemic

Although school attendances have improved greatly compared with a month ago, the influenza epidemic is still affecting the attendance at work of shop assistants and clerks. In some Invercargill business houses staffs have been sharply depleted during the last few weeks and the epidemic is still raging among adults. As much as onethird of the staffs have been absent at one time in some businesses, and as most are working short-handed in any case the staff difficulties have become acute. It was stated yesterday that the position was improving slightly, but new cases were still occurring. Women Conductors

When members of the Auckland Transport Board met yesterday they were surprised to see 20 women tramway conductors seated in the public gallery of the board room. The engineermanager, Mr A. E. Ford, said they were starting duty that day. The chairman, Mr J. Sayegh, said they would be welcomed by the public and as they progressed, would stabilize the employment position. “They can jack up a car and swing a trolley pole with the best men in the service,” said Mr Ford as the women filed out to report for duty.— P.A.

The employment of women conductors on the city tramways was approved by the Dunedin City Council at a meeting last night.—P.A. Huts For Camps “Everything possible is being done to try to provide huts and buildings for the various camps,” the Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones, said at Wellington yesterday referring to conditions in some of the newer defence camps. He said all establishments were working at full speed in an endeavour to meet the situation, and he hoped some of the existing conditions would be remedied soon. The work had been delayed by bad weather and restricted by the supply of timber • and labour available.—P.A. Canning of Meat

As soon as this season’s rabbits are canned the country works will begin handling mutton and beef. It is hoped to be able to can all the mutton and beef in the three Southland freezing works and possibly from the works at Balclutha. At the present alterations and additions to the plant at Bluff are being carried out so as to enable the change-over to be made without a stop- ) page. It is understood that the cannery workers will be doing considerable overtime. Effects of Taxation

“The standard of living is not so dependent on the wage rate; it depends now more on taxation,” said his Honour, Mr Justice Tyndall, during the hearing of a case before the Court of Arbitration in Wellington. “I think we all agree with that,” replied Mr G. G. G. Watson, who had previously submitted that wages never kept pace with the standard of living, and that there was a time lag. This statement drew from his Honour the assertion that at present wages were ahead of the cost of living as the price index level had recently dropped. Meals at Hotels A warning to licensees that, notwithstanding present difficulties oyer staff, the provisions of the Licensing Act concerning the supply of meals must be rigidly observed was issued by the chairman, Mr S. L. Paterson, S.M., at the annual meeting of the Rotorua committee., A complaint had been received by tlie committee about a case in which it was alleged meals had been refused members of a local body attending an annual meeting. Mr Paterson stated that licensees had to realize their responsibilities and the committee would not be a party to the whittling away of the provisions laid down by the Act. The onus rested upon employers to meet the conditions arising from time to time.