LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3142, 21 July 1917, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

"There lire too many fur coats in this country," said Mr. C. J. Tnlbot in tho ]louse- of Representatives last night. "The number of expensive fur coats sold in war-time is not creditable to the people. Tho furs would bo bolter employed protecting the men in the trendies than adorning tho persons of the ladies iu New Zealand."

In the llousu of JJopresentatives yesterday afternoon Sir .lames Allen read the following letter from the Mayor ot Albany:—"l have the honour, by direction of tho Albany Municipal Council, to plaeo on record their appreciation of tho excellent conduct of the Now Zealand troops passing through our port. Thousands of your brave fellows have passed through, and without exception their behaviour lias been everything that could bo desired, and when you consider the numbers it is a marvellous record for any troops to have. The citizens are always proud and happy to welcomo the New Zeulanders." ,

Objections to boy officers over mature men were voiced at the Second Division Conference last night. A motion that Second Division soldiers should be in charge- of officers of their own division or single men of not less than thirty years was referred to the executive.

On Arbor Day a representative gathering of settlers of the Kniwaiwni district met in school to witness the placing therein of an enlarged portrait of Sir- "Walter Buchanan, who has represented tho schools of the South Wairarapii on the Education Board for a period of thirty-four years. Mr. Hutchings, chairman of. the committee, presided, and spoke in eulogistic terms of Sir Walter Buchanan's good work in thu cause of education during bis lor.g term of office. Mr. Douglas also spoke, stressing tho point that Sir Walter Buchanan's career was suclrthat every boy present might well endeavour to emulate. The sentiments expressed by the speakers wero cordially ■ endorsed by tho, large gathering assembled. Advantage . was taken of tho occasion to also placo a new honours board in tho main entrance of the school. Several musical items were rendered by tho pupils, and after the ceremony, which was a.particularly interesting 0110, afternoon tea was provided by the Indies.

Speaking as a., member of the Second Division delegation to Parliament yesterday, Dr. Peterson (South Canterbury) said there was no doubt thero had been a'number bf suicides in camp, and the conference was of opinion that- the depomlaiits cif those men should bo provided for by tho State. Oiie member of tho House cf Representatives thinks we should do something here to suppress the I.W.W. Mr. V. H. ■Rend gave notice. yesterday to ask the Prime Minister whether he has yet had the opportunity of considering the provisions of the Unlawful Associations Amendment Bill introduced into the Australian Parliament by Mr." Hughes, aiming at tho destruction of tho T.AV.W. and kindled institutions, and providing for the deportation of undesirables; and whether ho will introduce into i Parliament a measure having siimlnr objects.

In the House of Representatives yesterday, Mr. W. Nosworthy gave notice to. move for a return showing: (1) The number of men who voluntarily enlisted during tho-poriod extending from tho commencement of the war until the coming into operation of the ballot under the Military Service Act; and! (2) the religious denomination to which eacli ot these volunteers belonged.

"Under new regulations religious objectors to military service, called up in tho ballot, aro to be given a second chance to prove- that they come under the definition as given in the Act. It they succeed in doinfj this they will have mi opportunity of signing an undertaking to do agricultural work or engage in anv other essential industry not under military control. There is a largo number of conscientious objectors in camp now, and their appeals will be reheard next Wednesday. Nominations for the annun.l election,of officers'of the Vainlers , Union have been received as follow :-Prosident, Messrs. R. Ridge and F., Goodwin; vice-presi-dent, Messrs. P. O'Neill and 3. Cartmcr; treasurer, Mr. J. A. omith (unopposed) ;. committee (threo wanted), Messrs.- J. Cartmor, R. ■Cassidy, .W. .Cooper, A. • Janson, B. Bellinger,. 1. O'Neill, J. Russell, G. Ridge, F. Goodwin.

Last year a special committee of the Rouso of Boprosontatives was set up to inquire into the best means of developing the industries of the Dominion, special reforenco being made to tho .iron industry. The committee, owing to the fact that the session was a short one, was unable to do a great deal of There was a' suggestion that the committee should sit during the Tecess, but although this proposal was considered by Cabinet, it was not adopted'. Uio idea was that tho committee should resume its inquiries this session. When tho motion to reconstitute the committee was before tho House yesterday, Dr. AK Newman aeked tho Government .to enlar"o the committee's reference to include the trade and industries of 'our colonies," mentioning tho Chatham Islands, the Cook Islands, and our newest and most extensive colony ot Samoa. He had been taking some interest in these islands recently, and ho believed that there was a, profitable trade to bo developed with them. Mr. Massey said that this country had no colonies. Already the, Chatham Islands and tho Cook Islands' were included in the Dominion, and Samoa was not in any senso of tho word a colony of this country, but only German territory in military occupation.

A welcome attempt to reduce the price of meat in Napier will be made to-day (says our special correspondent), when a shop commences operations -by eelling lamb and. mutton released from the freezer, at freezing rates.

In the course of his remarks at the Concert Chamber on Thursday evening, Colonel J. G. Hughes made an appeal to tho people i.ot , to grumble or hnd fault with the military authorities when things do not, to thorn, seem to bo quito as they should be. "Don't grouse and complain at camp treatment;-don't complain because your boys have not had leave, or that others who went after have beon given leavo before them. You may.-depend upon it that when, that is the case your boys have been engaged in some important work, and that rather than that should be hindered the next lot have been given leave." "iou may be assured that the authorities aro doing their very test for all. And do remember this is Wai—we aro at War!

In view of the probable calling up of the Second Division (says the Dunedin ''Star") some friendly society members think the time has 'arrived to review the practice hitherto in operation of friendly society members paying the contributions of tho members on active service.. Two factors' seem to justify a review. I'lle> first is that when lodges' patriotically undertook to pay the contributions of soldier members, no pro. vision bad been made by the Government to meet soldiers' financial liabilities Decently, however, such provision -up to <C 2 per week-has been made. The second factor all the Second Division are called up it win mean that roughly two-thirds' of the members of friendly societies will be .on active service. This will leave one-third to pay the contributions of the twothirds, in addition to their own. OF the third Wt there is probably a further third who are probably not in a position to pay such levies on account or casual employment and the high, cost of living. Tho object of tho .societies roviewin" tho position would probably Z Cask tho Government, to take over n obligation which is likely o prove burdensome if not harassing, and, as tho Government hlas now Viiade provision wh ch should meet tho case, little trouble is anticipated in arriving at a solution of tho difficulty.

On cold days you will find delicious warmth and rich refreshment in a stcaninJ cup of Desert Gold Tea, which is still the Queen of Teas. Its popularity is due to tho careful selection i.nd packins of Ceylon's choicest , teas, which inako a beverage of inviting aroma and tempting flavour. Tho pure goodness of Desert Gold ensures economy in i:seit makes more cups of tea to the pound than inferior brands. Order the 2s. prade of Desert Gold for highest value. -Advt.

For comfort in boots and dippers ,iou cannot buy better than at "I'owlds . Glace kid, 10s. Gd. to 305.; fell slippers, ..Is; lid. to Ss. Gd.—Geo. ■ l'owlas, Ltd., Mariners Street.—Advt . ■

Messrs. A. Odlin and Lockwood, representing the Island Bay Municipal Electors' Association, waited on the Reserves Committee of the City Council to point out that Me shelter trees that were I)C----ing planted on the reserve opposite AVakeliold Park were unsuitable. They asked tho committee to iiavo such Iroes as Bums, piiius muricatn, nud peppermint planted to assist in tho growth of the eucalyptus trees. (Mr. Lockwood .promised to contribute- a number of trees from his own grounds for the purpose— treos that he was sure would thrive ia the locality. The committee promised to look into the matter.

. The third anniversary of the declaration of war will be marked in Wellington )>y a citizens' patriotic demonstration to bo held at thb' Town Hall 011 Saturday, A'ugust 1. at 8 p.m. The chair will t>o taken, by'the Mayor (Air. J. P. Luke), and th'e' following resolution will be submitted to tho meeting:—"That on this the third anniversary of the deelaratiou of a righteous war this meeting of citizens again records its inflexible determination to continue to'a victorious end the struggle in , maintenance of those ideals of liberty aiid justice which ore the common and sacred cause cf tho Allies."

The Otago Education Board had before it at Thursday's meeting a letter from the National Efficiency Board in which it was recommended—(l) That the school flag VunfuyVbd and saluted by children on entering echools as a means of inculcating strong national eontiments in the minds of boys and girls; (2) that 6hort lessons on the history of the Empire and our duties to it 6hould be prepared for eacli standard, and that nne of these lessons should be given each week. It was stated (says the "Otago Times") that the Minister had approved of the recommendations, and had expressed the hope that they would bo favourably received bv school authorities throughout the Dominion. Mr. Brtfeh said "the mountain had 'beei) in labour and h.nd brought form a mouse."" Surely,'in these strenuous times, there were o.ther matters of greater moment to bo dealt with by this important body. The board concurred with Mr. Brush's remarks, and resolved to receivo" the. letter.

The notation for local camps was revived by a southern delegate nt last night's meeting of the Second Division Conference. It was urged by & delegate that local camps should l>o established now that tho calling up of the Second Division was approaching. A motion to this effect was defeated. Tho Second ■ Division deputation to members of Parliament yesterday etatftl that they wanted members to get ft better allowance for discharged soldiers than 30s. for a suit of. clothes; they thought JES was littlo enough. 'Several members of Parliament signified that they heartily agreed with tho request. A sentence of 10 weeks' imprisonment with hard labour was passed by a district court-martial hold nt Wellington on a private- in Details (G Company. 28th)-. who was found guilty of: 1) When in confinement escaping; and (2) wilfully injuring public property. it tho close of his lecture last evening at the- Garrison Hall, LioiitenantColonel dimming told a few stones, one of which was particularly good. While on his way back to New Zealand ho was at Washington, and while, travollingin the train some Americans were talking about tho war, and-one- of them said: "Say- I guess when .tho United States gets into this war Hell will bo quickly filled with. Germans."

The Christchurch Commercial Travellers' Association at a meeting last night passed a resolution urging the Govornment to take in hand the medical inspection of Second Division reservists in order to give them sufficient time to enable them to arrange- their -business and private affairs.—Press Assn.

A. blueguin tree, 120 ft. high and sft. Gin. in diameter at tho butt, was felled in , the Kainpoi Vicarago grounds a week ago (says the Christchurch "Press"). It is believed that it wag planted; in 1859 by the first owner of the land, Mr. A. 3. Creyke. Great care had to be exercised in falling the treo in order that it would not fall on the church. A traction ongine was employed in the operations, and the giant brought down without harm to tho church, which it missed by a few feet only.

Messrs. Baldwin and Eayward, patent attorneys arid consulting . engineers, of 215-Lambton Quay,- Wellington, report that recently they acted as agents, in Ming the following applications for letters patent of New Zealand:—H. Armstrong, Perth, poultry fountain; American Mncliino Company, New York, packing cigarettes; Vulcan Foundry, Lancaster, riveter; A. M. Nicholas, Deep Water, separating liquids (process); A. M. Nicholas, Deep Water, separating liquids (jftlpaiiius); F. W. Larkins, Sydney wireless telegraphy; M. W. Kneeixme, Sydney, ironing table; J. C. Preston, Sydney, display tray; J. Anderson, Waitaha, cooling milk; W. G. JJeardsley, Cliristchurch, draining clothes; Jones and Oxenham, Gisborne, treating offal; CA. Mansfield, Taupiri, wool winder; T. Cuminings, Auckland, administering drenches; F. W.Page, Morrinsville, earmark. ■ .