LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15657, 8 November 1918, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The practice for the “Hallelujah Chorus” will be held in the Technical College Hall on Saturday at 7.30 p.m. as already intimated, to prepare for the final peace celebrations. All members are requested to bring copies. In reference to the prevailing epidemic of influenza, the Chief Postmaster suggests that subscribers should disinfect their telephones by gently wiping the transmitter with a rag which has been damped with disinfectant. Care should be taken to see that no fluid is allowed to enter the transmitter.

Mr G. Purvis, of Patea, has been successful in passing for his aviation ticket at Soekburn.

A Melbourne cable states that the Treasurer has introduced a measure for increasing the Federal land tax by 20 per cent. The Allies’ Legations have presented a Note to China recapitulating many points in which China has not fulfilled her duties to the Allies in connection with enemy agents, also expressing disappointment that China has wasted her revenue on internal strife instead of developing her industrial resources. An important decision was given by the Industrial Court at Sydney, which decided that a registered union is powerless to levy fees on members after the date of de-registi;ation, nor did registration make such' members liable to subsequent contributions. At the opening of the criminal sessions of the Supremos Court at Wellington several , jurors were absolved from attendance by Mr Justice Chapman. In one case his Honor said: “This gentleman is suffering from influenza I woum rather not introduce him amongst the other jurors.” The Duke of Sutherland, who m selling a quarter of a million acres of his estates, is described in “Who’s Who” as owner of about 1,3.58,000 acres.” This is rather more than the entire county from which he takes his title, so hat it is easy to credit the statement that he “can walk across Scotland without stepping off his own estates,” seeing that Sutherlandshire itself extends from sea to sea.—Observer.

“Is it any wonder,” asked Mr Witty in the House last week, “that the Kaiapoi Woollen Company can pay a 10 per cent, dividend and put another 10 per cent, on one side?” The hon. member was commenting on the cost of living, with special reference to the price of manufactured woollen goods and ordinary knitting wool, which those who knitted for the soldiers should not have to pay such prices for. When the news that Germany had signed-an armistice came through this morning, the telephone exchange was immediately besieged by hosts of subscribers, the result being that the exchange staff were quite unable to cope with the rush. At one stage there must have been between 300 and 400 calls all waiting connection at the one time. The Superintendent (Mr Alexander) and his staff did all that was possible to cope with the extraordinary demands on their services, and are to be complimented on the good work done under such trying circumstances. It is understood that legislation is to be brought down extending the privileges of the Discharged Soldiers’ Settlement Act to returned soldiers an Indefinite leave. The matter has been brought before the Department by Mr W. T. Jennings, member for Taumarunui, who pointed out that although these men were practically discharged they were debarred from the benefits of the Act. The Department has now informed the “member that amending legislation will bo brought down to include them in the list of exemptions in Section 3, Sub-section 2, of the Act. Still another early settler of the district has passed to the Great Beyond. To-day we have to record the death of Mr Robert Packer. For some years lie carried on business as a grocer in his premises at the corner of Glasgow and Campbell Streets. Selling out a few' years ago, he went to Waverley. From Wavejiey ho moved to Okoia, and latterly returned to Wanganui, and recently re-entered business in the old promises, as indicated above. For some time past he had been in very indifferent health, and on Wednesday took to his bed. He became unconscious, and passed away last evening at the age of 60. He leaves a widow and four sons—two of whom are in Australia—and a daughter. “A man will be sorry for the rest of his life if he misses taking a hand in this war,” remarked Captain Symons, Y.C., when interviewed last week. Captain Symons is a Brunswick man, and has had nearly four years of active service.. His knowledge of war conditions is therefore to be respected. “'Hie lads ovey there need help,” he said, adding that he was firmly convinced that if the men still in Australia realised the unique opportunities now presenting themselves of a free trip to Europe, with probably only a very small amount of fighting to be done, they would jump at the chance. “The war is going to lie over next year,” said Captain Symons. “Nothing is more certain. The Germans’ morale is crumbling badly, and the Australian and Allied troops have been realising this since March. All that is needed now is a good knock-out blow; and my message to Australians vwio have not yet got into khaki is to grasp the chance-quickly before it ia too late.” Reference to the placing of returned soldiers on the land was made by the Prime Minister in the course of his reply to a Farmers’ Union deputation at Wellington on Saturday. It was a matter of great difficulty, he said, but the Government as a whole, and the Department, had entered enthusiastically into the scheme. A great deal had already been done, considering the difficulties. A return showed that 903 returned soldiers had already been placed on the land. He did not expect all of them to succeed, for it was very difficult to succeed, especially on dear land, from >£ls upwards. This was not the case with bush land, .vhere a man with sufficient energy and grit could go in and learn his business as he went along. Men of varying capacity would want to go on the land. The stronger men had not yet come back to New Zealand, but preparations were being made now to deal with the matter. He suggested that whenever a soldier settled in any vicinity, the other farmers should assist him. Enthusiastic settlers had been a wonderful help to the Government in this respect. “Do not discourage them,” said Mr Massey. “Our sympathy and assistance, must be extended to these men if they are to be successful.”