LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 32, 1 November 1918, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The Postmaster-General rof the United States of America on August 15 last issued an order to all telephone companies "to conlino extensions and betterments ,to 'imperative ond unavoidable work to meet war requirements and tho vital commercial needs of the country." In accordance with this order, telephone companies are giving; new telephone connections only where 'tho applicants can furnish evidence that the telephone service is warranted by war production work or vital commercial necessity, as, for instance, the case of a firm possessing Government contracts. In New Zealand, so far, no limit on the making ofconnections lias 'been imposed other than that enforced by the delay iind difficulty, consequent on war conditions, in obtaining tho necessary telephone equipment. The Postmaster-General (the Eight Hon. Sir Joseph AVard) intimates, .however, that in the event of a continuance of the present difficulty; in obtaining telephone supplies, similar restrictions !o those imposed in the United States may be found necessary In New Zealand,

"Since I last wrote to you I have had temporary command of another corps in the battle which had just started to relieve Amiens," says General Sir A. Godley, in a letter to the Minister of Defence (Sir James Allen). "You will have followed the progress of the battle, and it may interest you to know that the corps I aril commanding has driven the Boche back east of Amiens. We have taken 11,000 prisoners, advanced about twenty-five miles, and killed a lot of Huns. We hope to continue. . . .

There is no doubt the enemy is in a state of great disorganisation at present. Divisions are being chucked in anyhow. Against tho four,, now five, divisions that I have had in my corps we have had seventeen enemy divisions and wo have handled them very severely and have, in fact, broken them all up."

.. "The policy of tho country is to keep the cradles full, but there are many men in tho Post hud Telegraph Servico who cannot buy a cradle, much less provide for the occupant,"—Mr. H. E. Combs, referring at last night's smoke concert of tho Post and Telegraph Officers' Association to the inadequacy of the salaries paid to members of the service.

A petition of an unusual nature has been placed before .Parliament in connection with the Gemmell's Crossing tragedy. It will bo remembered that a returned soldier named Onslow Mayhew fatally shot a farmer named George Burke, seriously wounded Burke's two sisters, and subsequently committeed suy cide in April last. The widow and'the injured women are now petitioning for compensation on the ground that llayhew was known to be mentally afflicted,, that his mother had warned the Defence officers at Oamaru not to *et'him have a rifle or ammunition, and that in the face of this warning the riflo with which the' murder was committed was lent to him by Defence officers.

Again last month the Customs returns for the port of Wellington were the highest yet taken in New Zealand for that period. They amounted to 7s. Gd., as against September's total of .£119,409. 9s. 7d., which sum was then the highest amount for one month ever taken in the Dominion, i'l'ho exceptionally large figures were accounted for by the extra number'of overseas vessels that were in port. Whenever a returned soldier appears iu the Magistrate's Court en any charge, the fact that he is a returned soldier is made the excuse for expecting lenient treatment, and counsel invariubly urge this-point. Yesterday, when a young returned soldier appeared before Mr. F. V. llrazer, S.M., and pleaded guilty fo the theft of a case of whisky, the properly of the Wellington Harbour Board, the Magistrate said: "One thing I want to get out of this young man's head and the heads of the general public is that the Court cannot properly accept as an excuse that the accused is a returned soldier, but when the accused person has had a police record before ;;oing to the wair and has subsequently acquired a good military record, I think it is only, right to let the good military record stand against the bad police record, and treat him as far as possible as a first offender. A man who has been at the front cannot expect to get off without punishment for his offence. It would be a dangerous stato of affairs, and I am siwo tho great majority of "ehwned soldiors would resent any such gaining currency and being given effect to by the Court?. Special circumstances, euch as shell shock or nervous breakdown, may be taken into nccount, but beyond tliat I do not think it is right to ,go."

"The most shameless-profiteers this war has known havo been the shipping companies," said Mr. E. E\ Crabb, of Palmerston North, at the Conference of Associated Chambers of Commerce yesterdav. "The enormous increase in the cost of living in New Zealand has been to a very Rreat extent caused by tho high freight charges mado by these companies, whose profiteering has been one of tho least creditable phases of • the war."

"1 know that there is a timber inquiry being iutld at present by the Board 'of Trade," said Mr. E. H. Crabb (I'nlmerfiton North) at tho Conference of Chambers of Commerce yesterday, "but if they do their work as cleverly and exhaustive ly as they have dealt with other questions tlie>' l ,ftve I'andled nothing inuc.li will result."

Mr. G. J. Anderson (Maluura) lifts given notice in the House of Representatives of n question relating to white pino. Ho asks what steps the Government has taken to preserve white pino timber for local industries, and why the. Government has not prohibited tho export of white pine.

Our lchnki handkerchiefs just opened are embroidered with "Black Cat" and "Good Luck," Is. each; "Safe Return," "Christmas Greetings," "Best Wishes," etc., Is. 3d. each, or 3 for Bs. Gd. Geo. Fowlds, Ltd.-Advt.

A man from Iho country, who was drunk, caused soine excitement in an Auckland tea room on Tuesday. afternoon, by assaulting a clergyman whom ho appeared lo think deserved punishment on two counts, one that he was a

"wowser," and the other that he was the Itcv. Howard Elliott. Tlio man was arrested, and in the course of the arrest he struck the constable in the mouth with a beer bottle. The semiel was that the man was taken before the Magistrate on a charge of drunkenness and two charges of assault, and as ho had a list of previous convictions for drunkenness and violence, ho was sentenced to fourteen days' hard labour for the assault on the clergyman, and a month's hard labour for tho assault on the constable.

"Motor-car owners welcome taxation," ?aid Mr. C. S. Owen, of Diinedin, at the Chambers of Commerce Conference yesterday. "As it is at present a motorist may have an accident through a fault in the road which may coat JC2O, whereas such accidents would not occur were the roads put in order with taxation moneys. They welcome taxation." "If Southland can find the labour and material for a hydro-electric scheme, then the Government can find the labour and material," said Mr. E. H. Crabb (Palmerston -North) at yesterday's Conference ot Chambers of Commerce. Tho Government has been fooling about with this important question, looking for a policy. It simply shows that they are a lot of politicians and not statesmen." "Wc don't want this country to bo ft kind of home farm for England all its (lavs" said Mr. B. H. "Crabb (Palmersto'n North) yesterday at tho Chambers of Commerce Conference. lie want to become a nation, and we will never do so until we establish our own manufactures." The Government offices throughout New Zealand will be closed on Saturday, November SO, in celebration of St. Andrew s "That ,in view of tho dislocation of business' generally caused to tho present telegraphic communication by storms, the Government be asked to place a sum on tlio Estimates at the next session ot Parliament to provide for direct communication between Wellington arid Ljt-' telton, either by a cable or wireless installation," was a remit from Canteibury passed by the Chambers of Commerce Conference yesterday. The Northern Fishermen's Union is making another general appeal to organised labour for funds to meet its expenses at the sitting*, of the forthcoming. Royal Commission upon the fisheries in tho Hauraki Gulf, the Ivaipara Harbour, and elsewhere. The union s evidence will deal largely with the tecrcpanw between tho prices received hy the fisnormen for their catches and those charged to the public by the retailers. The union has 127 members, none of whom, it is 'claimed, are prosperous enough to bear a large share of tho expenses. Tho latter are likely to be heavy,,as sittings may possibly 'be held at Napier as well as at Auckland, Thames, and kaipara. Iho other parties in the case are the Auckland City Council and feandford, Ltd. A proclamation in tho Gazette declares that a pieco of land of an approximate area of 32.1 perches, portion of section 17C in the city of Wellington, has been taken for the purposes of a city milk, supply. , "Wo are too apt to lean on the Government for everything in this Dominion " said Mr. James M'Lollan at yesteiday's Chambers of Commerce Conference, when speaking on the principle of advocating the setting up of power boards entitling local bodies to set up their own schemes. "The Lord helps those who help themselves! It will be a long time before you will get this or any otto Government to spend four or five millions on hydro-electric schomes.'

St. Patrick's College sports, winch were to have taken place yesterday, wore tor tho third time postponed owing to the unfavourable weather. The Wellington College sports, originally fixed to bo held to-day, have been postponed for a week. • A suggestion that half-yearly tickets be issued for tho right to play on the municipal golf links has not been adopted oy the City Council. ' At yesterday's session of the Conference of Chambers of Commerce, Mr. R. E. Hornblow (Dargaville) said that in ; his remarks on Tuesday the Prime Minister had stated .how extremely important it was to increase production. They had now millions.of pounds' worth of goods awaiting shipment away from the Dominion, yet when a company was formed in the north to build vessels—tliey had ,660,000 towards the cost of the first yessol—they wcro checked in their enterprise by the Government charging 20 per cent, on material used' in shipbuilding not obtainable in the Dominion. Mr. Robert Bums (Auckland) stated that what Mr. Hornblow had said was correct. In tho case of steamers built In Auckland for tho Island trado they had to pay 221 per. cent, duty on boilers, whilst in tho case of those built in Australia thero was no duty on imported boilers. A heavy duty on essential material for shipbuilding was hardly the way to encourage an industry of such vital imnortanco at the prccsnt time.

A further'draft scale of taxWb fares was submitted to the City Council lust evening by tho By-Laws Committee, but after discussion the draft was referred back to the committee.

There is at present a clause in bills of lading freeing, tho shipping companies from liability fori claims, on account of packages shipped w,hioh are of more value than JES per square foot. A remit was introduced and passed at yesterdays Conference of Chambers of Commerce seeking some amelioration from tho enect of the clause, as owing to the exigencies of. war there are articles other than specie, Jewellery, and jewels which exceed in value per cubic foot the amount stipulated, and importers are placed in an awkward position in respect to claims. Mr. W. Gow (Dunedin) explained that the Tlnion S.S. Co. at Dunedin had admitted that the clauso noted was never intended to apply to ordinary merchandiso (certain lines of which had increased in value since the war), and claims had been made for such goods and paid. Mr H. W. Hudson (Auckland) said that they could not §et tho Union Company s representatives in Auckland to see the matter in the same light. referred to packages of tobacco (worth about £W per cubic foot), on whioh claims had not been recognised. It was always the same-Auckland was the Cinderella of New Zealand. A delegate suggested that the northern representatives should get the Union S.S. Co.'s headquarters shifted to Auckland.

On September 12 the Bishop of unveiled a memorial in Bere Ferrers Parish Church to ton. New Zealand soldiers who were killed in a railway accident last year whilo on their way 'to Salisbury Plain.. The memorial, a brass mural tablet, is surmounted by tho sw Zealand arms, and in red and black lettering bears the following inscription :■•- "To tho glory of God, and to the memory and the honour of .T. S. Jackson, C C. -Kirton, 13. A. M'Bryd'e, \l. V. M'Kemia, W. S. Gillanders, ,T. E. Warden, W. E. Grooves, J. Judge, W. J. f. Kussell, and S. E. West, privates in the New Zealand Exneditionary Forces (Twenty-eighth Reinforcements), who were killed in Bere Ferrers Railway Station while getting out of their troop train. September 24th, 1917. They had just landed at Plymouth, and were on their way to join their comrades on Salisbury Plain. This tablet is erected in their honour and memory by the people of Bere Ferrers parish and other admirers in appreciation of their loyalty and self-saerifieo in coming from, their fnr-ofF. homes to fight for England in the groat war for the freedom of tho world." General Pichardson and parties of New 'Zealand and Australian troop? attended the ceremony. In Asking the Bishop of Exeter to unveil the memorial, tho Hector of Boro Ferrers Parish (the Pev. ,T. Sliarpe) welcomed the New Zoalaiirlers and Australians, and expressed a honn 'lint when the former returned to their homes they would Im able to snv bow in a little Devon village the people, felt that the New Zoalanders' loss was theirs, and how they wished to perpptiinro their comrades' memory and show their appreciation of all thev did. A collection was taken for the New Zealand Red Cross Fund. ;

Tho Wellington 'Baseball League have been Riven permission to jilnv baseball on Saturday afternoons at Kilbirnie Tiocreotion Ground.

"A little nonsense now and then is relished by tho wisest men" or keenest sellers of "GOLDEN RULE" Soup, "GOLDEN RULE" Caudles, "KEEP SMILING" Sandsoap, wid "NO RUBBING" Laundry Help, and in this connection our thoughts' turn pleasantly to tho W.F.C.A., Ltd., Wellington's Progreenivo Grocers.—Advt,

The Mayor was asked by Councillor K. A. Wright at the City Council last evening if there was any truth in tho complaint made by citizens that Wellington was not giving the returned soldiers a warm welcome home. The Mayor replied that ho had kept the demonstrations and Town Hall ceremonies going as long as he could, but they were dropped . because the men did not desire these things and tho public were not in sympathy with them. Men coming off the steamers after long voyages generally wished to be free to reach their friends as soon as possible. That tho kiuema should be used by tho State for educational purposes was a suggestion made by the Hon. J. 13. Gow m the Legislative Council yesterday afternoon. "Here," ho said, "wo have an institution which might be used for the greatest good of tho community. Daspite the censorship, he believed there was a pernicious influence connected with the exhibition of certain moving pictures. "There is a vulgarity and false view of life presented, which, in many cases, strikes at tho foundations of our social system, and which must bo most harmful' to these young pcoplo whom we find flookingjn their thousands into these institutions," ho added. "Why should it not be possible for a State really interested in the education of its citizens to take hold of this instrument and show pictures of such a chnracter that the child would be instructed as well as amused, and so that the influence brought to bear on these young lives would.havo an uplifting instead of a degrading tendency?" A .£5 subsidy for the cut-rent year has been given tho S.P.C.A. by the City Council.

The Executive Council of the New Zealand Locomotivo Engineers, Pia-eoien, and Cleaners' Association has decided to agreo to the men's demands tor a secret ballot and to conform with the council's decision that tho Dominion councillors aro to 'be communicated with. If the majority of the Dominion councillors favour the men's demand then the ballot will be taken forthwith, and'the men will be asked to state in what direction they desire to act in preference to the present method. Meantime the council will look into the matters and make arrangements preparatory for whichever

During the course of his speech on the Address-in-Eeply debate in the Legislative Council on Wednesday, Sir John Sinclair drew attention to Hie necessity for being ready to enter the trade war which would follow tho close of the present war. Every means should be taken to gum that end, including the study of languages. He regretted to say that in some of the country's teaching systems German had been dropped. That would be a handicap. Knowledge of and trading systems would be a factor in securing increased trade. Means should be taken to ascertain what was a fair working.day. iThe matter should bo approached from a scientific, standnoint., No nation could succeed in its ideals without promoting industrial efficiency. It would be impossible to have a shorter working day accompanied by restricted output. .Any nation . that adopted such a system must fall back. Great care must be taken in the imposition of tariffs. There must be greater production in the Empire, and the temptation of taking tho cheap goods of other countries must he guarded against.