LOCAL AND GENERAL

Chronicle (Levin), 5 October 1946, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Sugar and Hosiery Coupona Hosiery coupon X202 wili remain valid until November 30. The extra 31b. of sugar for jam making is still available to housewives who have not yet surrendered coupon Y18, which remains valid until ' October 31. Lip-Reading Wanganui has been selected as a training centre for tutors in lipreading. This was announced by Mrs. F. Dunlop, secretary of the New Zealand League for the Hard of Hearing, when visiting Wanganui. The demand for teachers was so urgent, she said, that it could be met only by establishing a training centre. Miss J. Sewell, who has an outstanding record as a lipreading instructor, will be in charge. South Island Maori Claims Machinery for the control and administration of annual sums payable to the Ngaitahu Trust Board in settlement of the South Island Maori claims, is provided for in the Ngaitahu Trust Board Bill which was introduced in the House of Representatives yesterday. Two years ago the House passed legislation providing for an annual payment of £10,000 for 30 years in settlement of these -claims. The Bill, which was read a second time pro forma and referred to the Maori AffairS Committee, also reconstitutes the Ngaitahu Trust Board. Mr. Fraser explained that the Bill was the result of an agreement with the Maori people. On Official Level Only The Prime Minister has replied to the representations of the Bureau of Importers that direct renresentatives of exporting, importing and banking interests should be inbluded in New Zealand's representation at the commercial policy meetings in London. Mr. Fraser's message states: "According to all the information that we have received, and this is confirmed by advice of the personnel of the delegations from other countries which will be represented at both the meeting of the preparatory committee and of the preliminary Commonwealth discussions, will be on the official level. I reeret therefore that it has not been possible on this occasion to give consideration to the inclusion of direct representatives of exporting, importing or banking interests." N.Z. Airmen for Australia The following detaohment of R.N.Z.A.F. pilots, navigators and technical personnel, commanded by Squadron-Leader R. M. McKay, the well-known pilot of the Meteor jet propelled aircraft, is to leave Ohakea on Monday for Whenuapai and from there the following day for Australia to bring back to New Zealand the four Mark III. dual control de Havilland Mosquito aircraft ordered for the R.N.Z.A.F.: — Squadron Leader J. D. Robbins, D.F.C., Flight-Lieutenants A. George, D.F.C., D.F.M., I. O. Breckon, D.F.C., Navigators, Flight-Lieutenants W. S. Martin, M. Kidson, D.F.C., D.F.M., J. M. Stevenson, Greig, Engineer Officer, Flight-Lieutenant A. Chandler, B.E.M., fitters, FlightSergeants E. H. Stevenson, V. H. Baird, instrument repairer, Cpl. C. M. Jennings, electrician, L.A.C. C. R. Wilkins. New Ration Books This month the new sixth series ration books will be issued. When rationing began it is probable that neither the authorities nor anybody else expected new books would still have to be issued eighteen months after the end of the fighting in Europe. That they have to be issued now, is a measure of the continued gravity of the British and European food situation. The prospects are, in fact; little better than they were early this year, when the decision had to be made to have the books printed. We must go on with ration coupons for meat and butter because the quantities we "save by rationing them in New Zealand provide very important additions to Britain's supplies. Meat and butter are rationed here to enable us to share our plenty with others; sugar and tea are rationed because supplies are still short and uncertain, and rationing ensures fair sharing among our own people of the supplies allocated to N.ew Zealand. It is natural to hope that this sixth ration book will be the last we shall get, because the necessity of rationing in New Zealand is a reflection of the still desperate plight of people overseas, whose ordeal in war-time has been followed by an almost despairing struggle to survive in these first years of peace.

Servicemen who have returned recently to Manakau after service overseas will be the guests of honour at a welcome home in the Town Hall tonight. The functicm will take the form of a dance and should prove an enjoyable social gathering for all who attend. Salvaged from the sea! This was the fate of about 80,000 of the new issue of ration books which were saturated when the Holmdale went aground at Wanganui recently. The books were printed at Dunedin and were due at Wellington via Wanganui. In the mishap about 80,000 books got^wet, but it was fortunate that tfie* "whole consignment was not damaged. So they have been carefully dried out. Fortunately, the colours did not run, and the only effect of their immersion is that they look a bit battered. However, it is unlikely that many people will get these reconditioned books as they will not be issued until -all the others have 'been distributed.