In the News

Southland Times, Issue 24863, 1 October 1942, Page 4

In the News

October Petrol The Minister of Supply, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, announced yesterday that petrol coupon 19 would be available to private motorists during October at half its face value.—P.A. Quota Not Reached

Although no precise figures are yet available, it is known that the amount raised in Southland for patriotic purposes for the year ended yesterday has reached the neighbourhood of £56,000 —approximately £5OOO below the quota of £61,000. At the entertainment by the nursing staff of Kew Hospital last night Mr P. L. Hodge, chairman of the Metropolitan Patriotic Committee, said that more money was still to come in for inclusion in the year’s returns, and although the quota of £61,000 had not been reached’the Southland people had made a magnificent effort. He said it was expected that the concert by the nurses would produce £l5O. Patriotic collections in the Eastern Southland zone had reached a total of £12,061 last night. A last minute appeal is being made, and with the amounts promised, together with the proceeds of the Knapdale community sing last night, it is expected that £5OO will still be required today to fill the district’s quota. An excellent response has been made by the public during the last two days, £350 being collected on Tuesday and £440 yesterday. Miners and Home Guard Advice has reached Westport that all members of Home Guard units who are employed as coal miners or in the coal mining industry are to be exempted from parades until further notice. —P.A. Blackout Test A complete black-out trial is to be held in the city towards the end of October or at the beginning of November. The purpose of the trial is to check up to see that the various restrictions are being observed. Householders are therefore advised to see that they have made adequate provision to have at least one room of the house completely blacked out. There will be no E.P.S. rehearsal, but E.P.S. wardens will be on duty for the purpose of checking up on the black-out. North Island Train Services The North Island limited expresses are to be resumed on Sunday night, and the Railways Department intends to reinstate on Monday all services which were restricted as a result of the coal strike. Restrictions on passenger travel in the North Island which operated before the strike will be maintained. Permits are necessary for journeys of more than 100 miles.—P.A. Part of The Army “It was certainly surprising to learn that some city councillors were not aware that the Home Guard is a part of the Army,” said Lieutenant-Colonel W. Bell, director of the Home Guard for Group 12, when commenting yesterday on the discussion at the meeting of the City Council on the question of reduced fares for Home Guardsmen on the city trams. Parcels For Prisoners The Imperial committee on prisoners of war in 1940 made it plain that attempts should not be made to send prisoners of war parcels through other than authorized channels. It again emphasizes that this situation has not been changed, and requests addressed in all good faith to persons in neutral'countries to send parcels privately, to war prisoners are contrary to the interests of the blockade and the common interests of the prisoners themselves. The existing system whereby a sufficiency of food and clothing is sent for all prisoners from the British Commonwealth by the Red Cross Society is designed to ensure the greatest safety in the transmission of parcels and the greatest fairness in their distribution. —P.A.