LOCAL & GENERAL NEWS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20638, 29 January 1937, Page 8

LOCAL & GENERAL NEWS

“New Zealand Goes Fascist?” “Italian radio stations are now boosting New Zealand as ‘the latest example of the Fascist corporative State’—Socialism working successfully within the framework of capitalism,” states a correspondent in the “News Chronicle,” London. “New Zealand’s Labour Government may ignore the charge —but the fact remains that it is being repeated to the detriment of the Dominion,” states the writer. New Wheat In The first of the new season’s wheat came to hand yesterday, which is somewhat later than in previous years, due to the wet summer. A reporter of “The Timaru Herald” was shown a sample of Cross-7 grown at Levels, which was harvested with a header. It was a good sample, but was slightly out of condition through being harvested too early. Two more days like yesterday and the wheat would have been in first-class milling order, but while it was accepted yesterday, wheat in the same condition would probably be rejected In a fortnight’s time. Signboard Defaced A signboard, riddled with bullet holes, liberally coated with signatures, and bearing many obscene expressions, was exhibited by the patrol officer to members ot the Automobile Association (South Canterbury) at a meeting last night. Mr J. Palliser said that the board was the fifth which had been erected at the Fairview zig-zag. The patrol officer said that one of the signatures on the board appeared on a number of the symbolic signs which the Association had erected in the district. The matter had been referred to the police. Tour of Public Works For the purpose of obtaining first hand information as to the value of various public works in operation in the Rangitikei electorate, the Minister of Public Works (Hon. R. Semple) travelled from Marton to Taihape on Wednesday, and yesterday came down the Parapara Road to Wanganui. During the last two days Mr Semple has addressed seven meetings for the purpose of acquainting public works men with the activities of the Government and assuring them that it was keeping faith with its promises. The men on the railway deviation works at Fordell were addressed yesterday both by Mr Semple and Mr J. Hodgens, M.P. Plans Modified A modification of the plans for the proposed new hospital was decided upon by the Wellington Hospital Board last night. The original scheme was for a five-storey building costing £695,000, but the Board has now decided to limit the building to four storeys, which will reduce the expenditure to £615,000. This will provide for 328 beds, operating theatres, servicing departments and administration. The total requirements to which the Board now seeks the approval of the Health Department and the Local Government Loans Board and the support of the public are £BO,OOO for a new nurses’ home containing 130 beds, £61,000 for a new boiler house, and £474,000 for a new general acute hospital. The Year’s Eclipses The year 1937 will only produce three eclipses, two of the sun and one of the moon. On June 8 the sun will be totally eclipsed for over seven minutes, and on December 2 will be subject to an annular eclipse. Both these eclipses will be visible from practically only the Pacific Ocean, and it is the former of the two which an expedition of New Zealand astronomers will set out to view, the last annular eclipse having afforded them an opportunity for becoming acquainted with the instruments which have been lent to them for the occasion. The moon will undergo a partial eclipse on November 18. On May 11 will take place a so-called transit of Mercury, which phenomenon will be visible from Africa and Southern Asia. The planet, however, will merely graze the southern limb of the sun. Use For Dredge Tailings Dredge tailings, formerly considered useless heaps of stone, have been found to be of commercial value as sites for plantations of trees, after experiments by the State Forestry Department at Hokitika. The Department planted a few pines with Douglas fir transplants on the Rimu dredge tailings, four miles from Hokitika, in 1924, and these, together with larger areas planted since then, have grown remarkably well. Encouraged by the success which the Department has had in its plantings, the dredgemaster of the Rimu dredge has also done some experimental planting on the tailings with fruit trees. The present season is only the second that the trees have been in, but they are bearing some good crops. Some of the varieties planted are apples, nectarines and peaches. "Unduly Magnified” Statements by the Canterbury Manufacturers’ Association that British manufacturers were unable to fulfil certain orders for the New Zealand market were challenged at a meeting of the United Kingdom Manufacturers and New Zealand Representatives’ Association yesterday. Its secretary was instructed to communicate with the Canterbury Manufacturers’ Association asking for details in support of the contention. It was felt that the statement was not justified and the position had been unduly magnified. It was pointed out that the Department of Overseas Trade December bulletin contained a list of some of the orders totalling millions of pounds recently received from almost every country in the world. This was held to afford a sufficient Indication of the ability of United Kingdom firms not only to quote prices competitive with those of overseas competitors but also of their capacity to effect the delivery of goods in accordance with the requirements of their oversea purchaser. It was emphasised that there was no question of the neglect of Dominion markets by British manufacturers.