In the News

Southland Times, Issue 25546, 14 December 1944, Page 4

In the News

Wool Appraisal The appraisers of this season’s wool clip arrived in Invercargill by yesterday afternoon’s express and will begin the appraisal this’ morning. It is expected that it will be completed sometime tomorrow.

King’s Birthday Today the King will celebrate his 49th birthday. His Majesty is the second son of the late King George V, ana was born at York Cottage, Sandringham, on December 14, 1895. The King s Birthday holiday is observed in New Zealand on the first Monday in June.

Damage by Hail I Considerable damage was caused to vegetable and flower gardens in Mosgiel and Outram on Tuesday afternoon by one of the most severe hailstorms experienced in these districts for ■ some years. Large areas of young vegetables were flattened by the weight of the hail, and plants were stripped of; flowers by the force of the downpour. The storm followed an exceptionally : long period of wet weather, and it isfeared that this year’s production of; vegetables and cut-flowers will be seriously affected. Speakers’ Salaries j The Financial Bill, which was intro- I duced in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, provides for adjustments * in the salaries of the Speakers and, Chairmen of Committees of both Houses. of the Legislature as follows: the, Speaker of the Legislative Council is to - be paid £BOO a year, the Chairman of : Committees of that Council £500; the Speaker of the House of Representa- . tives, £1000; the Chairman of Com-| mittees of that Chamber, £750, with an additional £l5O a year allowance for official expenses. The salary of parliamentary under-secretaries is to be £BOO a year,- and there is also authority in the bill to increase the number of paid Ministers of the Crown to 12, excluding the Prime Minister. Introducing the bill, the Minister of Finance, Mr Nash, said there might be some people who would ask what about those citizens on lower incomes. He said the answer was that it was not possible to make adjustment now, but steps would be taken early in the coming session to adjust lower paid incomes and family allowances.

Help for Greeks In order to alleviate the desperate need of clothing for the people of Greece, the New Zealand authorities working under UNRRA are asking the ministers of the churches through their appropriate authorities to organize gifts of clothing in good and clean condition. Brigadier J. T. King, who is organizing relief on behalf of New Zealand in Greece, has advised the Prime Minister that the condition of the Greeks in the smaller towns and villages is pitiable, children and women especially being in urgent need of clothing. Bedding is also required, and it is hoped that by securing a quick response a shipment of clothing may arrive by February. Ministers are being asked to take action at once. Parcels may be left at the nearest Red Cross depot.