LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wanganui Herald, Volume L, Issue 14744, 25 October 1915, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A slight shock of earthquake was felt here at half past seven last evening. A ioud rumbling preceded the tremor. Exports from the Wanganui export distract for the week ending Tuesday, October 19th, included frozen meat it 18,704, cheesj i'oß. A Sydney cable states that the Hon. Black has announced. Iris intention to legislate to prevent juvenile and infant smoking. The Mayoress (Mrs I. M. A. Mackay) is inviting all ladies interested in the Women's National Reserve to attend a meeting at the Borough Council Chambers ,n Wednesday at 8 p.m. to discuss the formation of a local branch of tire Ko>erve. The Fore River Shipbuilding Company, of Quincy, Massachusetts, U.S.A., has (remarks an exchange) just completed ten electric submarines for England in the record time of eight months. They were ordered in January, and are now lying finished in the shipyards at Quincy. By vgiermeut with Charles M. Schwab, who look the order, the boats will be held in Amie-ican waters until after the war, as a result of Teutonic agitation in the United States and an appeal to Uncle Sam. Twelve of the submarines made at Quincy tor the British Government, on the authority of Mr James A. Robertson, the Queensland Commissioner to the Panama Exposition, who recently visited the Fore Shipbuilding Works, have already been delivered to England, via Montreal.

Half a, million trout fry liavo been liberated in the streams iu the Waimuriuo Acclimatisation District. That some children resident in or near Cains Avenue, Gomillo, want a stern lesson was brought homo to members of tho Gonville Beautifying Sociotv yesterday morning, when it was discover! that a number oi young red gum trees planted in the Avenue bud been maliciously pulled out and thrown on tho road. It is incredible that adults would be guilty of such a wanton piece of mischief, and strict inquiry should be made by parents from their children, so that the otfenee may be sheeted homo to those responsible. Some remarks made by Mr Veitch, M.P., at a send-off social to some recruits on Friday night should be taken to heart by those patriotic individuals who consider the indiscriminate posting of white feathers to young men an incentive to recruiting, baid Mr Yeitch; “I want to say a few words about a grave injustice that is being done to some of our young men by sending them white feathers. It it impossible lor anyone to judge as to whether another should or should not go. He has his own conscience and knows whether he can go or not. There have been several cases of sending white feathers in Wanganui, and in one case a young fellow had received two. Now this young man had done all in his powtr to get away, but without success. Another lad is an apprentice, and is legally as well as morally bound to serve "’his apprenticeship. If the senders of white feathers knew the mental pain they cause in many cases by Sending the feathers they would not do it. It is very hard for a young fellow who wants to get away but cannot, to be branded a coward. Personally, he considered that there weie very few cowards or shirkers about, and that some who have remained behind only wanted tho position to he brought homo to them. Most of the young men arc prepared to do their little bit.” Recruiting matters were touched upon by Mr \V. A. Veitch, M.P., at the sendoff to some recruits for the 9th Reinforcements on Friday night. He said ho was pleased to learn that the Government was offering nou-commissioned officers better opportunities than before, and he thought this would have a good effect in the Expeditionary Force. Proceeding, Mr Veitch said: “The question of recruiting becomes more serious every day. It is remarkable to notice the discrepancy between the number from the North and from the South Islands. It was difficult to find a reason for it, for he did not believe tho South Islanders were less loyal than th > North Islanders. There must be some other cause. Here in the North Island wo have business men, men of mature ages, as well as the younger men, coming forward and, making groat sacrifices. Why should they not do the same in the South Island? There seems to be something wrong wi ! h the system.” Mr Veitch said it was time the Minister of Defence changed his policy and established local camps. Camps near by and men in uniform. would help young men to realise their responsibility, and would stimulate recruiting. “Many a good man was lost because he could not go to camp immediately,” said Mr Veitch. and be referred to buslimen and farmhands, who come into town, after finishing a contract. They, volunteer, and are told to go back to work until called upon. The men stay in town until their money is done, and thru they are forced to look for work. They take up another contract, and when the call conies they cannot answer it, as they are morally bound to see the contract through.