NOTES OF THE DAY.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1611, 30 November 1912, Page 4

NOTES OF THE DAY.

To-day, the citizens :of Wellington will have, an opportunity_ of contributing, according: to their means and their inclinations, to the funds of a deserving institution—the St. John Ambulanoe Association—and thereby expressing in a practical way their appreciation of the good work which, in' an unobtrusive way, is being acaomplished by the Association in this city. The Wellington branch of the St. Johp Ambulance Association proper, is concerned with the dissemination of knowledge in home-nursing, "first aid" to'the injured, and the transport of the sick and injured. There are two subbranches—the St. John Ambulance Brigade, which superintends the organising and training of those who possess a knowledge _ of "first-aid" work and home nursing, to the end that its trainees may be qualified to render service to humanity in peace or in war: and the District Nursing Guild of St. John, whose department of activity is the, provision of nurses for the sick poor in their homes. The organisation is dependent for its financial support upon voluntary contributions, which are distributed equally to tho Association's general fund, the building_ quarters fund, tho Ambulance Brigade, and the Nursing Guild. The Association requires no. plea' from us to establish its claim as an institution deserving o| the generous support of the public,' but this reminder may serve to stimulate the interest of citizens in the annual observance of Ambulance a day set apart for the public solicitation of contributions to assist the Association in its work for the coming year.

The decision of the City Council on Thursday evening' to refuse to lease to the Kelburne Bowling Club ■ a portion of the Kelburne Park will meet with general approval. Public placing grounds are scarce enough already in Wellington, and apart from this, to have granted the request of the Kelburne Bowling Club would have been to open the door to requests from other similar private bodies'; Tho result would nave been, had the Council been logical and followed up tho precedent established, that a material part of the existing open spaces devoted to various forms of athletic sport would gradually have been handed over on lease to private clubs and the public squeezed out. But while citizens will sympathise with the action of the Council in this particular matter, there is an aspect of the question which deserves further consideration. Why should the public playing grounds provided by the municipality be entirely given up to throe forms, of athletics ?: that is to say, why should followers of football, cricket, and hockey alone benefit by the large expenditure of public money on these grounds 1 Admittedly the forms of sport mentioned should be given every encouragement, and no one will begrudge the money spent in providing tho players with grounds. But why should not th<t

Oity Council do something for lovers of tennis, and of croquet,, and of bowls 1 The grounds already provided are not sufficient to meet the needs of cricketers and footballers in their respective seasons, but there aro portions of the city reserves which could be converted into a playing ground where tennis and croquet might bo played, and it would be simpler still to find an area sufficient for a public bo v wling green, although probably this" latter would not be in such great request as the tennis court. The City Council might well give some thought to this aspcct of the subject. ■

The lessons of the Waihi strike are clearly reflected in the new agreement which has just been adopted by the Taupiri Coal Mines Company, and the Huntly Coal-mine Employees' Industrial Union of Workers (the new Union formed under tho Arbitration Act), as the result of rocent proceedings before the Conciliation Board. A clause in the new agreement provides that if the company _ hereafter engages any worker who is. not a member of the union, and w.ho within one week after engagement does not become, and remain, a member of the union, the company shall dismiss such worker if requested by the union. Further, tho company shall, when requested by the union, consider the advisability of dismissing any worker now employed by the company if after fourteen days from service of notice such worker does not become a member of the union. In other words no "Federationists" need apply unless they become members of the union registered under the Arbitration Act. This is probably the most effective weapon' that has yet been turned against the followers of the irresponsible agitators who, having sown the wind, are now faced with the unpleasant task of reaping the whirlwind. It is really rather in the nature of poetic justice that this weapon of trades unionism, known as preference to unionists, should be turned so effectively against a rival body of unionists. Having conceded this measure of support to the new union,, and incidentally, granted increases of wages averaging 6s. per week per man, tho company has received a quid pro quo, which undertakes to do all in its power to prevent any strike, and undertakes to refrain from assisting, abetting, or in any way promoting any strike. If any strike occurs in respect of which a secret ballot has not been taken, or by the consent of two-thirds of the members, the union shall pay to the company £50 for each and every day such strike shall continue. While it is refreshing to see the tables so completely turned on the Federationists the concessions of the. company to the new union strike us as involving possibilities of future complications.

In our, poultry column to-day it is urged that there is need for a more active campaign of instruction work by the Agricultural' Department among farmers. The high prices being obtained for poultry indicate a marked shortage. Supplies are said to be quite insufficient for local demands, while the quality for table use is inferior. It is impossible, we are told, to get prime table chickens or ducklings under 10s.. a' pair. It isj not' surprising,. .in :r yie\v,,pf l; these ■figures, that'poultry does' not. form a more prominent item in our- dietary, and at present prices it may be regarded as a luxury. The Agricultural Department' is doing good steady work in helping the industry, but it might follow the example of New Soutn Wales in adopting _ a more . active policy in encouraging farmers to take up poultry farming. Prices .for ordinary farm products have been so good that little attention has been given to poultry. _ A progressive policy of instruction wort among farmers would, result in increased interest in production; and export orders for eggs" and poultry which have been , going. begging through New Zealand's inability to supply the demand,_ might_ then be profitably filled. With tne increased value of meats a greater demand is made for poultry products. Population is always, on the increase, while, the increase of meat products does not keep pace" with it. The closer settlement policy tends to de-. crease the usual meat supply: but it offers scope, for poultry production. Compared with its importance the poultry industry is deserving of attention. The Minister for Agriculture in' New South Wales recognises this, and'purposes giving additional instruction to farmers in poultry, matters.