General News

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23976, 17 June 1943, Page 4

General News

The Right-hand Rule An amendment to the traffic regulations is to be made after the .Full Court’s recent decision on the righthand rule, and will include a provision making it obligatory on all drivers signalling their intention to turn to the right to give way to all other traffic. Before being put into effect, the amendment will be submitted to both the North and South Island Motor Unions for consideration. Advice _to this effect was received at a meeting of the North Island Motor Union yesterday.—P.A. Keys in Reclamation Depot The Canterbury Waste Reclamation Board sometimes receives articles with which, it believes, not even the most patriotic person really wishes to part. This week, in a collection of waste paper at the depot in Tuam street, a bunch of four keys was found. It is not known from what part of the city the paper was collected. Shortage of Crockery The shortage of crockery in South Africa is far more acute than in New Zealand, to judge from a letter received by Mrs A, M. Jacobs, of• Christchurch, from her sister in Durban. In one hotel, said the letter, there were a dozen cups among 100 guests. The biggest restaurant in Pretoria, it was stated, was using glass vases for cups. Dolls’ tea sets were still procurable in Durban, and were being bought to replace full-sized sets. Beer was bought in tins. ‘‘We are at a low ebb for babies’ clothes, and linen of all sorts,” states the letter. Cook Island Oranges "Can the Minister of Marketing explain why Cook Island oranges are being supplied to our forces in New Caledonia,, when oranges grown there can be bought for five francs or IJd a dozen, and are in fact rotting on the ground?” Notice of this question was given in the House of Representatives yesterday by Mr D. C. Kidd (Opposition, Waitaki). Mr Kidd’s notice of question added; “As New Zealand children and invalids are unable to get Cook Island oranges, will the Minister take immediate steps to backload ships from New Caledonia with consignments of much-needed oranges.”—(F.O.P.R.) Restricted Use of Radiators When the electric power shortage was being discussed by the Waimairi County Council last evening, Cr. C. E. Cross said that whereas radios used a comparatively small amount of current, electric radiators were gross consumers of power. He suggested that the Government urge all citizens to confine the use of electric radiators to sick rooms, and in this way make a substantial saving in power. National Party Caucus Mr J. N. Massey attended the National Party caucus yesterday for the first time since the break up of the War Administration. The position of Mr H. S. S. Kyle, who also asserted .independence at that time, is apparently unchanged so far. He did not at. tend the caucus yesterday.—(F.O.P.R.) Heavy Rain at Greymoulh Heavy rain at Greymouth yesterday resulted in a fall of almost 1J inches, The water tables were taxed to .overflowing, but there was no appreciable rise in the Grey river. Fish Liver Oil Chemists of the Agricultural Department are working at present- in conjunction with the Marino Department on samples of fish livers to ascertain the vitamin content with a view to assisting the manufacture of fish liver oil in New Zealand. Extensive experiments have been carried out on eels from Lake Ellesmere, but so far no results have been made public. The fish from which the livers are extracted for these experiments are taken from various parts of New Zealand waters. Matches Not Allowed in Parcels “Considerable concern is being caused to the Post and Telegraph Department by the inclusion of matches in parcels sent through the post," said the Postmaster-General (the Hon. P. C. Webb) in a statement yesterday. He added that if the practice continued it would be necessary to take much sterner measures against offenders. The Minister said experience had shown that the inclusion of either safety orother matches in parcels endangered whole mails, and he instanced a recent case of a parcel containing matches igniting while being sorted at a basepost office in the Middle East. —(P.A,) Harnessing of Buffer Reference to the shortage of electric power in the North Island was made at the annual meeting of the Buffer Progress League, and it was suggested that the Government be urged to investigate the harnessing of the Buffer river before a similar position arose in the South Island. Some members said that extraordinary difficulties would be encountered in harnessing the Buffer. Mr J, Ward said that Nelson was relying on the Cobb scheme, but that would not he sufficient to supply both districts. He considered that the harnessing of the Gowan would be better than the Cobb, and would have had the support of the Minister of Works if the Cobb scheme had not been so far advanced. The Mayor (Mr J. M. Robertson) suggested that the erection of a steam plant at Charleston should be considered by the Government, Profit on Sale of Houses When Mr C. H. Chapman (Government, Wellington North) was discussing housing problems in the Budget debate in the House of Representatives yesterday, Mr J. A. Lee (Democratic Soldier-Labour, Grey Lynn) interjected to ask how the profit on the sale of houses could be controlled. Mr Chapman replied that in a few days, or a week or so, Mr Lee would see that control of profiteering in house property was proposed by the Government. “That will be popular,” interjected an Opposition member.—F.O.P.R.