LOCAL AND GENERAL

Timaru Herald, Volume CLIII, Issue 22477, 12 January 1943, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Back From tire War The Deputy-Mayor, Mr P, B. Foote, members of the South Canterbury Returned Services’ Association, of tire Red Cross and the St. John Ambulance Association, were present on the Timaru railway station yesterday afternoon when a number of soldiers invalided home from the Middle East arrived in Timaru. Cigarettes and other gifts were distributed among all the men on the train by those present. Kats and Traps Reporting to the Marton Borough Council, Mr J. V. Flower, sanitary inspector, stated that during his inspection of business premises recently he found more evidence of rats than has been usual at this time of the year. This, he thought, was largely accounted for by the fact that many of the old reliable rat poisons are not available. Some which are available do not appear to be as efficient. “Trapping is not so effective in reducing the numbers, as these rodents are very cunning and soon learn to avoid traps," Mr Flower added. Minister on Co-operation In an appeal to the primary producers of North Otago for their cooperation in the national war effort, the Minister of Agriculture, the Hon. J. G. Barclay, at a public meeting in Oamaru on Saturday evening, said he had received co-operation from the majority of his political opponents, for which he was most grateful. "There are, of course, a few ‘narks,’ and one in particular, but the great majority are helpful to the Government,” he added. “The first job to-day is to finish with the Germans and the Japs—after that, if we want to, we carl renew our party differences.” Staple Vegetables Meetings have been held recently at Wellington between representatives of the market gardeners, the Department of Agriculture, and brokers to discuss vegetable prices and the planning of future production. Certain proposals are being explored and the representatives of the parties are to meet again early in the New Year. No decisions have yet been made. The object of the discussions is to endeavour to arrange for adequate supplies of the main classes of vegetables at prices which I will bring them within the framework 1 of the Government's general policy of stabilisation. Greater Egg Production Essential Appealing to North Otago farmers on Saturday evening to assist a national campaign for increased production of eggs, the Minister of Agriculture and Marketing, the Hon. J. G. Barclay, said that present supplies to meet the requirements of the Armed Forces and overseas shipping at Auckland and Wellington were hopelessly inadequate. To augment New Zealand firoduction, it had been necessary to mport from Australia 1,500,000 dozen eggs in pulp and powder. The Minister said he wished to make it clear that the increased supplies were not wanted for civilian consumption but for the Armed Forces and Allied shipping. Stabilisation Policy “It has been necessary to Introduce the stabilisation programme to prevent inflation,” said the Hon. J. G. Barclay, addressing North Otago farmers at Oamaru on Saturday evening. "The committee entrusted with bringing down the scheme has been at work for six months, and now that a policy has been framed the Government intends to adhere to it and, moreover, to stand ground against moves by pressure groups, which consider they have been unfairly treated. You may think the farmers have been ‘caught,’ but I can assure you the wage-earner thinks he has been ‘landed.’ We must fight against inflation, and stabilisation is one way to tackle the problem.” Bacon on Toast Bacon and eggs, so well-known a feature in many Wellington restaurants as the satisfying snack meal for all hours of the day, has been affected by the egg shortage. Menus in many restaurants showed only “bacon and egg.” At one big establishment this became later in the day “bacon on toast.” On the other hand, those who travel in the provincial areas find that two eggs go with their breakfast bacon without the waitress showing amusement when "bacon and eggs” are requested, while in the shops any reasonable quantity of eggs can be purchased. Many Wellington people who visit elsewhere in the province are wishing for a new type of egg which would stand travelling and, if possible, just plain packing in a suitcase. Returned Soldier Farmers “If I have anything to do with it, returned men of this war are not going to find themselves with a millstone round their necks,” said the Hon. J. G. Barclay, as Acting-Minister of Lands, replying to a question regarding land settlement at the public meeting at Oamaru on Saturday evening. “The returned man is not going to be put at a disadvantage this time,” he added. Mr D. J. Ross asked whether anything had been done in regard to acquiring land for returned soldiers or if the Government had any particular policy in view. The Minister said the Government had not done a great deal in the way of acquiring land during the last two years. It already had big areas of land half-developed, but the necessary labour was not available at present to complete that development. There was time enough to consider a land policy when they could see the end of the war in sight. “Getting Used to Earthquakes” Following a fairly sharp earthquake at Wellington at 10.22 on a recent morning some inquiries were made among workers engaged in repair work on buildings damaged in the earthquake of August last. Strangely enough, in most cases the workmen engaged in elevated positions did not feel the quake at all, while those sitting quite still in offices in or near the same building certainly did feel it. Men are at present engaged in strengthening the roof supports of the Town Hall, high up above the level of the gallery. They did not feel the earthquake, but across the road in the city engineer's block, the old building, which was wrenched in the last big earth movement, is said to have swayed perceptibly. There was a general agreement that yesterday’s little shake would not worsen already damaged buildings. On one building job. when an inquiry was made, one man said, “We wouldn't notice it; we’re getting used to earthquakes."