“Debt Round Their Necks.”

Taranaki Daily News, 3 June 1935, Page 4

“Debt Round Their Necks.”

Following the contention made by a speaker at the inter-provincial conference of the W.D-F.U. at Palmerston North, that New Zealand should breed her own population, a delegate remarked that babies were not an. asset to-day-as they were born v/ith a debt of £2OO round their necks.. ’ ' Many Ancestors Living. r * A baby bom at Masterton recently can claim, in the matter of. ancestors, what is regarded as a record for New Zealand. The infant has 10 living ancestors, all of whom were born in New Zealand. First there is the father and mother, th'en come two grandmothers and two grandfathers, three great-grandmothers, and lastly one great-great-grandmother. Quicker Toll Calls. “Hold the line, please,” is coming into increasing use at telephone exchanges in connection with toll calls, states an exchange. Until recently it was generally necessary to wait for an indefinite period when a toll call was made to■ a distant subscriber. Now, however, dials are installed in the main offices and it is possible for the toll operator to dial direct to the wanted party, provided an automatic telephone is in use. No assistance is necessary from the operator at the distant station. This is mainly possible because of the fact that'over 50 per cent, of the telephones in use in New Zealand are now operated automatically. Tunnel Road Proposal, It is likely that serious consideration ' will be given again to the proposal, to construct a tunnel road between Christchurch and Lyttelton. At the last meeting of the City Council Mr. F. D. Sargent gave notice of motion that the council approve of the construction of the tunnel road as a desirable and necessary public utility and that a committee should be set up to confer with the Minister of Employment, the Unemployment Board and other authorities with a view to expediting the work, as a major scheme for the relief of unemployment.

The efficacy of wearing flannel next the skin is as apparent to-day as it was in the time of our grandmothers. For relieving rheumatism and warding off chills there is nothing to equal pure wool flannel especially if it be Canterbury make such as is now being sold at Scanlans Melbourne Corner at Is lid a yard. The risk of taking cold is less with good pure flannel.*

The continued popularity of the New Plymouth Cycle and Athletic League’s weekly dances was shown by the splendid crowd cf over 300 at the Agricultural Hall on Saturday night, including many visitors to the town. The black and white Monte Carlo dance with the spinning wheel again proved very popular, the winners being Miss Pivac and Mr. Connett. Vinsen’s Arnbasadors supplied splendid music and the masters of ceremonies were Messrs. J. Donaldson and H. Bocock. The nett proceeds were divided between the Hurworth carnival queen candidates. The club has organised a special King’s Birthday bail which will be held in the Agricultural Hall to-night. A special feature will be the big birthday cake. The first 300 patrons to enter the hall will receive a slice and they wili also/be eligible to compete for five special prizes.