LOCAL AND GENERAL

Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21041, 17 February 1940, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Minister’s Long Term A Parliamentary record of holding the office of Minister of Labour longer than any other man was established by Mr Ernest Brown, wrote a London correspondent on January 16. He has now held the office longer than four years seven months, the period during which Sir Arthur Steel Maitland occupied it during his term of office from 1924-1929. Income Tax Default In the first cases of their kind to be heard this year, judgment against five Hamilton residents, including a clergyman, for income tax default was given by Mr S. L. Paterson, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court, Hamilton, yesterday. The actions were brought by the Commissioner of Taxes. The largest amount concerned was £lO2 and the sums ranged from 19s 4d. The hearing of a claim for £262 10s was adjourned. Band Leaves For Contest Before leaving by express for Wellington to take part in the Centennial brass band contest, the Hamilton Citizens’ Band marched through the town yesterday afternoon. The band attracted a good deal of attention and the smart bearing of the men augured well for their prospects in the competitions. The contest will open tomorrow and the band will return to Hamilton next week-end. Determined To Be There Although two of Wanganui's bandsmen, Mr C. Thompson (B flat comet) and Mr R. Wakeley (trombone), members of the Queen Alexandra Band, cannot get leave from their employment to attend the New Zealand brass band Centennial contest in Wellington, they will he there just the same. The two bandsmen mean to travel to Wellington each time they are needed, and that will involve travelling 960 miles to keep faith with their band. Empire Air Plan The Royal Canadian Air Force is looking forward with pleasant anticipation to the arrival of the contingent of British, Australian and New Zealand airmen in Canada under the Empire air training plan, writes a correspondent from Vancouver. In the exchanges of greetings to the Royal New Zealand Air Force the Canadian airmen said: “We are anticipating the arrival of your personnel in Canada for service with the British Commonwealth air training plan and we are glad to have the privilege to co-operate so closely in such a vast contribution to the air power of the Commonwealth.” Docking of Ships The issue of permits for docking and repairing ships in New Zealand ports during the existing emergency is provided for in the Ship Repairs and Docking Emergency Regulations, 1940, notification of which appears in the Gazette. It is provided that no such work shall be proceeded with until a permit has been obtained from the Marine Department. The Minister has authorised the secretary of marine to arrange for applications to be dealt with by the local superintendent of mercantile marine, and only special cases will require to be referred for the Minister’s consideration. Further, it has been decided, for the present at any rate, that vessels engaged solely in the coastal trade of the Dominion shall be exempted from the regulations. Bombers Over City When bombers from the Hobsonville air base swooped over Auckland last evening to drop pamphlets urging young men to enlist, the city experienced for the first time something of an idea of an air raid. Such raids with pamphlets which Britain inflicted on Germany early in the war have become commonly known in England as bomphlet raids. Last evening 10,000 leaflets were dropped. On each was printed: “If this were a bomb, where would you be? Our kindred in Great Britain are living under constant threat of aerial attack and facing it with fortitude. Remember what happened to Austria, Czecho-Slovakia and Poland. Could we expect any different treatment? V, e are at war to defend cur rights and yours. What are you doing to help? The Army needs men now! It needs you! Enlist today!” Yachtsmen Enlist Yachtsmen in New Zealand have shown eagerness to enlist for special duties during the war, and the naval authorities have received 500 applications for enlistment. At present the Naval Office is inviting details of qualifications as a preliminary to selecting 10 experienced yachtsmen for service as sub-lieutenants in minesweepers and patrol craft overseas. The rate of pay, it is stated, will be 9s a day for sub-lieutenants, and the men are eligible to rise to lieutenants at the rate of 13s 6d a day. The pay will be supplemented by the New Zealand Government at the rate of 2s a day for sub-lieuten-ants and 3s a day for lieutenants, the extra being payable at the completion of service. Additional marriage allowances will be paid.