SEEKING PEACE IN PALESTINE.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21280, 25 February 1939, Page 8

SEEKING PEACE IN PALESTINE.

Mr Malcolm Macdonald’s declaration that the delegates attending the Palestine Conference in London have not only a great responsibility and a great opportunity, but are associated with a unique occasion that may earn the gratitude of many millions in all parts of the world, will be endorsed in all liberty loving countries. As Mr Macdonald says if the conference can bring peace in Palestine by agreement the delegates will have done something that will be in the best interests of Arabs and Jews alike in Palestine. As a matter of fact nearly every country is anxious that disorders should end in a land which is holy for Christians, Moslems and Jews. The rejection of the Arab demauds for independence of Palestine under the rule of Arabs, has somewhat clarified the very difficult position confronting the London Conference and the British Government as mandatory Power.

Local and General News

Reserve Bank Advances

In a statement of assets and liabilities of the Reserve Bank, published yesterday, under the heading of assets, advances ‘‘for other purposes” were set out as £1,250,000. This figure should have read £12,500,000.

Fishing Rivers

A report was received last night from a farmer residing near the mouth of the Rangitata that the river was clearing and would probably be fishable to-day. The Opihi and Temuka rivers are very low and clear.

English Ale Imports

Recent reports about the import licensing regulations have indicated that all imports of English ales have been stopped. According to the Australian agent of one large English firm, this is not so. He stated that the imports of his firm have been cut down by two-thirds, but not completely prohibited.

Arrested For Fighting

Two men were arrested for fighting at the intersection of Stafford and Strathallan Streets about 10.15 o’clock last night, and were taken to the police station. They will probably be brought before the QfflUrt to-day. When they were taken in charge one man was bleeding freely and the other’s clothing was sevei'ely damaged.

Saved From Drowning

But for the prompt action of Miss June Whitehead, a small boy, the son of Mr and Mrs A. Jackson, would have been drowned in the Fairlie Baths yesterday. The boy, aged seven, got into difficulties and sank once before Miss Whitehead reached him. He quickly recovered after being pulled out of the water.

Schoolboy “Howler”

A schoolboy "howler” which rocked with laughter the 500 ex-pupils who attended the Park and Waihopai Schools’ jubilee banquet in Invercargill was told by Dr. A. A. Tennent, of Wellington. He said that a small boy, on being asked by the teacher to state what he knew of the death of Napoleon, scratched his head and then answered: “Napoleon died as a result of his confinement in St. Helen’s.”

Centennial Stamps

A graceful wool clipper Is likely to figure as the design on one of the Centennial postage stamps. A beautiful square-rigged under full sail js well within the scope of a stamp designer. In reply to an inquiry from the Mayor of Port Chalmers on the subject, the Hon. W. E. Parry has stated definitely that in a projected series of commemorative stamps the part played by sailing ships in New Zealand’s history will not be overlooked.

The Last Word

At this time of year a lugubrious procession of taxpayers passes the desk of the income-tax receiver. The majority of people find little occasion for humour in doing this part of their duty to the State, but occasionally individuals attempt to lighten the atmosphere by an attempt at badinage with the solemn-faced clerk, feeling perhaps a little better if they can leave the office having had the last word. It was such a one who said in Wellington, as he folded his receipt: “Ah, well, tell the Minister to spend it more wisely this year. .

Rotary’s Birthday

Thursday was the anniversary of the founding of Rotary, and the Rotary Club movement throughout the world would celebrate its thirty-fourth birthday. The movement is now established in eighty countries, with a membership of some 202,000. The annual Rotary conference in New Zealand is to be held at Napier on March 1,2 and 3. It will be presided over by Mr George Hutchison, Rotary Governor of New Zealand. Rotary International will be represented at the conference by Mr A. G. Mitchell ,of Melbourne. Over 400 members and their wives are expected to be present.

Rights of a Dance Partner

Modern social customs were the subject of several inquiries by Mr Justice Blair in the Supreme Court in Wellington. His Honour remarked that they had changed since his experience. A witness explained that it was the custom to-day for a man to act as a girl’s escort for the evening if he took her to a dance. “Does that mean that you cannot look at another girl?” his Honour asked. “You can have dances with other girls, but you can’t take them outside walking,” witness replied. His Honour remarked that in the old days they started asking questions if one danced with the same girl more than a couple of times.

Insect Ravages

The ravages of insects, commonly believed to be white ants, to buildings in New Plymouth, and the question of whether they have been brought into the country in poles imported by the New Plymouth Tramways Department, is to be investigated by the chief borough inspector (Mr R. Day), states the "Taranaki Herald.” This decision was reached by the Borough Council at its meeting last Monday night, when Councillor H. H. Moller referred to a house in St. Aubyn Street which was badly affected by such insects and also to the fact that tramway poles in the locality which had been affected had been trimmed. It was stated that the house, had been riddled and poles badly damaged, and that a sleeper taken up from under the tram track was honeycombed by insects. Mr F. T. Bellringer, Town Clerk, said there was some doubt as to whether the insects were white ants. There had been similar trouble in an Auckland district, where it was thought it may have been caused by termites, which were native to New Zealand.