NEW ZEALAND NEWS ITEMS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 55, 7 March 1939, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND NEWS ITEMS

Hedgehogs in Pit. A surprise awaited a New Plymouth man who dug a large pit in his garden. The following morning he found no fewer than four hedgehogs had fallen in. One of them had made the best of his imprisonment by digging ; out a shelter for himself on one side of the pit and there he was found snugly curled up. Scientific Explanation. "What is thunder? asked a member of the Canterbury branch of Ihe Royal Society of New Zealand, after an address by the president (Professor F. W. G. White) on the subject of thunderstorms. "Thunder,” Professor White explained, "is the noise that accompanies lightning. That is as far as science can co at present.” Women Change Nationality. No fewer than 24 married women nf foreign nationality have elected to] take advantage of the opportunity availed them by the Status of Aliens Act. of 1934-35, to acquire British nationality, as have their husbands, according to the latest Gazette. There is also noted the fact that one person has a desire to retain the rights of a British citizen while in New Zealand. ; “Fascism Gives Them a Purpose.’* "For the young people. Fascism and Communism provide a purpose in life. The young German has a purpose, to see Germany lead the world. Fascism gives him a go.” Archdeacon H. W. Monaghan told a large congregation attending a special service in thei Christchurch Cathedral. "You have | only to look at the modern artists i picture of life; it is drab, and shows | life to be futile." he said. "And that : is why Communism and Fascism get a hold. They provide a purpose.'' Tremendous Job. "We have a tremendous job in North Auckland." sa’d the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. R. Semple, at Pukekohe. "We have just heen through counties where there are 9000 one-way bridges in a deplorable state; they just stand up from force of habit. How the people get over them beats me. and the task of replacing them with good two-way bridges and widening the roads has to be faced. We have to make roads suitable for highpowered cars. The Minister said the task was beyond the resources of counties, and he recognised the major responsibility devolved upon the Government. Show Cattle Sold. Some of the best beef cattle seen on the Westfield market for a long time were sold on Wednesday. One lot in 1 particilar. comprising three steers exhibited at the Auckland Show, attracted a lot of attention from buyers, and the best of them, a huge red Shorthorn, topped the market, realising £l6 10s. Although the price of beef has fallen In recent weeks to the lowest level for over a year, this was the highest price paid for a single beast for four months. The steer was sold on account of Mr. H. J. Finlayson, of Tuhikaramea. Farmers in Politics. Only by acting together as a big political force could the farmers of New Zealand get satisfaction, said Mr. H. M. Rushworth, Auckland provincial president of the Farmers’ Union, in Cambridge. "At present the farmers are instructed to choose between two city interests,” he said. "If they do otherwise, they are called vote-splitters and are told that they are not playing the game. Farmers must learn to stand alone. They are quite capable, and they will gain the respect of both sides. At present they are nothing but a catspaw. A poverty-stricken peasantry will be the inevitable end of the farmers if they sit back, while a free, sturdy yeomanry will be their lot if they are prepared to face up to anything. This is the greatest imperial idea that could be thought of.”

"Pride Goeth ” Riding down France Street, Newton. Auckland, a youth on a bicycle strove to impress the youngsters playing in the street with his skill with the machine. Without touching the handlebars, he put the machine through a series of gyrations that drew wide-eyed admiration from the children. Envy changed to delight, however, when the rider went into a "tail spin" and crashed against the kerb before he could regain control. The rider suffered minor scratches and a light attack of “asphalt rash,” and the cycle a badly-bent front wheel. The disconsolate rider had to carry the machine from the scene of the accident. Labour Disputes’ Cost. Wages of approximately £42.104 were lost by workers in the 72 industrial disputes involving stoppage of work which occurred last year, according to figures given in the “Abness ■.'■ affected numbered 103, while 11,388 employees were involved. The coal mining industry was the one most affected. there being 20 disputes, averaging three days each. With 4367 1 l,c 5 > working days lost, the cost in wages was £17.691. Seventeen waterfront holdups averaged 4.87 days each, and cost the 1643 men involved £15,803 in wages. In freezing works 11 disputes concerned 2980 workers, and cause a loss in wages of £6033. “Chopping Block.” A resolution strongly protesting to the Minister of Industries and Commerce against the recent rise of 21s 6cl a lon price of flour was carried at a meeting of the South Auckland 'lion at Hamilton on Wednesday, the opinion being expressed that provincial bakers were being made a chopping block so that the price of flour to city bakers could be kept down. It was stated that while all country bakers had been notified by the Wheat Committee of the rise in price of Hour, city bakers would not suffer in this respect and it looked as if ihp Government, was expecting the country men to shoulder the higher costs. Blankets as Sails. After taking his launch Valencia, tn a purchaser at Mercury Bay, Mr. L. Oliver was bringing another launch hack to Tauranga when the vessel became disabled after passing Whangamata. The propeller shaft stern bracket broke, making it impossible to use the engine. Mr. Oliver had no sails aboard, but succeeded in making his way to the Tauranga Harbour entrance with a temporary rig of two blankets and a piece of canvas. At the harbour entrance the launch was taken in tow by Mr. J. Gresham and brought up to the moorings. In the Dyeing Factories. How the effects of a reduction in imports are passed on in unexpected ways is revealed in the inter-connec-tion of the hosiery and dyeing trades. During the past few years there has been a considerable development in Auckland in the dyeing of imported hosiery to satisfy the demands of changes in fashion, which often occur almost overnight, but in recent weeks this branch of the dyeing business, according to the manager of a large local factory, has experienced a noticeable setback. The factory has been compelled to put off several employees formerly engagd in the dying of hosiery. In other branches of dyeing, however, activities have been above the normal for a dry summer. The really busy time .of course, does not. begin until the approach of winter, when overcoats and heavy suits are taken from cupboards, dusted, and often sent away for a thorough cleanup and change of colour. It is expected that the factories will have of this work to do than usual as soon as the cooler weather arrives.