LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 296, 10 September 1919, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

A suggestion that Anzao Day should be declared a whole holiday, and. a compulsory holiday, was niado in the House of Representatives by Mr. J. V. Brown. Mt. Massev said that the question- of amending the several Acts in which holidays were provided for by adding Anzac Day thereto would be considered when opportunity offered.

Mr. G. V. Hudson writes: The great double sunspot reported on August 17 which remained in sight until August 25, reappeared yesterday. Both spots aro much fore-shortened' at .present, being very closs to tho eastern limb' of the 6un, but they have, apparently not decreased much in size. They will pass tlii)'middle of the disc about Sunday next.

"It is not admitted that any lack of. foresight Jias been shown in connection with the shortage of coal,", said the Prirno Minister in answer to a question regarding tho railway out, "but it is' proposed to set, up a special commission to inquire and report as to the cause of such, shortage."

• Tho Mayor of Christchurch (Dr.Thacker, M.P.), stated yed.erday that it was his intention to sv ;:st to the Government to-approprial -.- of endeavouring to' secure Visooum Jellicoe as. the next Governor-General of the Dominion. —Press Association.

The Prime Minister, replying in tno House of Representatives to Mr. Luke's question regarding tram* on tire Hiux ltoad, said that the question of whetner the running of trams in opposition to the railway should be permitted 'or not, was one of policy, and it would be considered by tho Government at an early date.

Advice? to hand from Whangamomona statu that a man who was hunting 'wild pigs in dense bush on' the Tarn noli sido oi tho Wanganui Eiver had a most unusual experience (says tho Auckland "Star"). Tahunaroa settlers knew that ho had entered Che bush on Monday morning, and, as there was'no .appearance of him on Tuesday, some anxiety was felt for his safety.- A search party from. Tahunaroa set out to try and find him. After getting through a trackless forest waste the search-party found tie' missing man in a very exhausted condition in a dense gorge near tho Wanganui Hivcr. Kestorative measures wero adplied; and tho adventurer was eventually 1 able to get out of the bush with tho assistance of ibis rescuers.

The way in which footwear is advancing in pneo owing to the world shortage of leather points to the possibilities of sandals or clogs having to 'bo resorted to (says an exchange). Australian firms havo advanced prices for boots and shoes once more, and direct orders are only to be 6upp.icd, 'select to the distinct understanding that the goods will be charged at prices current, on tho day of dispatch. This means that tho firm ordering the goods does so in ignorance of what the actual cost will be delivered. Even now it is slated that prices for footwear in Australia are fully 75 per cent, less than latest quotations from England.

Thq fruit which is included in the Niagara's Auckland cargo will probably become'a total loss owing to tho waterside workers' action in refusing.to discharge the vessel before Tuesday (stated the "New Zealand Herald" of Saturday's date). Included in tho cargo is a consignment of about 100 cases of mandarines for Messrs. A. B. Donald and Co., Ltd. The firm' approached tho Waterside Workers' Union with reference to discharging tho fruit with its own men, It is understood that the union mado no objection, 'but .eventually the' idea was abandoned owing to the possibility of further compf.ications.

. A report from Vavau, dated August 14, states that the Sydney strikes was having a disastrous effect in'tho Tongan Group, whero the food supplies arc not plentiful. The arrival of the Talune was anxiously awaited, as it was expected,that the consignments tho vessel was carrying would savo the situation.

.Tho advisability of prohibiting night baking, stales tho Primo Minister, will bo considered when an amendment of tho Factories Act is being prepared.

"That tho Railway Department should he prevailed upon to admit, as third-year apprentices, pay third-year wages', and give prefcrenco to hoys who have attended regularly for three years at an approved technical day engineering course, whero a minimum of one-third the time is given to practical work." When tho foregoing resolution wah under review at the Conference of TocV'tcal CoUego_ T)i- ---' rectors yesterday. Mr. Tomkies (Westport) loid the story of a remarkably smart bov, who had done very well in the cmrinccring class at school, and whom it was desired to gel,' into the Railway Department, where he would have at once been of value. The Department, in reply to letters forwarded on the lad's •behalf, replied Unit it was held that two years' experience in tin* workshop was immeasurably more valuable than three years in a technical college. "I wonder." said Mr. (1. George, "if Ihcy have ever been inside a. technical col lege?" The remit was agreed tu.

\ Press Association message from FoxIron states thai Mr. A. S. Easton lias made a, gift of upwards of four acres of land in tho centre of tho borough, to bo laid out as a beauty spot to commemorate the signing of pence,

Mr. P. C. Webb, ex-M.P. for Grey, was released from Kaiangaroa yesterday. Arrangements havo been made by Auckland Labour representatives to givo him a miblie reception next Sunday. On the following Sunday he will be' tendered a public receutio'n by the Labour Party in Wellington.

.Mr. W. H. Field (Otaki) lias given notice to ask the Prime Minister if he is aware, that there is some dissatisfaction and unrest over the present policy governing tile administration of the industrial schools, "it being widely felt thatsuch uolicv is not in many respects in tho best interests of the public and the unfortunate children committed to the institutions controlled by tho Department." Mr. Field suggesvs that the Government should have a searching aud indenendent inquiry made into the mutter.

Mr. Wilford (Ilutt) is asking the. Minister of Education if tho Education Denartment has yet acquired tho land necessary for the extension of the Petone West School; and, if such land has been awiuired. when is it proposed to authorise the necessary sum lor additions to the school buildings, the necessity for which has been admitted by the Education Dcnai'tmeut and the education board for the district.

"The first step towards the establishment of a Department of Fisheries.ana working it properly-," said tho Hon. tr. M. Thomson in the Legislative Council yesterday, "would be the preparation of a proper catalogue of tho fishes of ai«v Zealand. We have not got one. I ain perfectly certain of this—that nobody in A'ew Zealand knows the fishes of this country at all, either scicuitlie men or others." ' •

In asking: permission to withdraw n>informatiou charging a theatre manager with;permititng patrons to stand in tho. passage ways, Air. M'Eldowney, on behalf of the City Solicitor, intimated that tho particular manager had done all in his power to get tho patrons seated. He further intimated that a new by-law was being framed which would enable theatre proprietors to prosecute patrons who failed to take their seals on entering the theatre. The ease was »rruck out. Tho dating of an agreement turned out to bo the crucial point in a strike case recently heard by Mr. J. S. Evans, S.M., at Nelson. Tho Labour Department proceeded against the miners employed by tho Nor|:li Capo Coal Co. for having taken part ill a strike which occurred in Juno last. Tho Magistrate found that there had been a strike, but held that tho industrial agreement by which the workers were hound was "bad," as it was .made for three years and a day, whereas the law provides that- such an agreement shall not be made for a period exceeding three years from tho idafct, of the making. In the case under nolico the agreemcLl:, had been made on December 28, 1918, and was to continuo in force till December 28,1921. The Solicitor-Gene-ral has advised tho Department to appeal, and the appeal will be made in due course. «

Complaint was made by . two defendants charsed with breaches, of city bylaws at .the Magistrate's Court yesterday, that they had forgotten the alleged offences. Ono defendant pointed out that the offence with which lie was charged took ulace over two months-ago, and ho could not recall the circumstances. The other defendant said that the charge he had to answer was one which took place seven weeks ago, and he was unable to ulcad until he heard what the facts were. Mr. E. Page, S.M., suggested to the city solicitor that defendants might be informed earlior as to tho probability of nrosecutions. '

Now ten-shilling notes tire about to be issued by tho Bank 01 Australasia. They measure 7in. by 4in., smaller'than the ill note, of this bank, to which they boar a family likeness They avo perfectly olain on the back, however. Tho euEravimr is elaborate, printed in a grey-' ish black, and very nno work. There is "10/-" engraved in each corner of the note, and "ten shillings" in white letters on a blue pattern on the front, surmounted bv .the arms of the bank. This is now the fourth of the six banks in the Dominion to issue 10/- notes, the others'being the Bank of New Zealand; Commercial Bank, and Bank of New South Wales.

Speaking on a resolution (which was negatived at the' Technical College Directors' Conference yesterday) to tho effect that teachers and instructors of technical colleges should be paid according, to a Dominion scale, the Government Director (Mr. W. S. Iji Trobe) gave it 03 his personal opinion that there were two main objections to such a course. One was economic and the other related to administration. Tho difference between teachers in technical schools and primary schools was that \in the latter' case the boards had the whole, or practically the whole, of their services, without competition, whereas with the instructors in technical eo'.leges they had to compete with the industries and commerce for their services, It might be possible to got over such difficulties, but at present they were a bar'to a Dominion scale of salaries.

"One of the worst features of prison lifo in this country is its deadly monotony," said tho Rev, E. C, Budd. in the' courso of an interview at Auckland upon the prison system. "The men have hours of idleness upon iJieir hands, and if they do not care for reading there is nci:hing for them to do save to brood and think their own hard thoughts. In England • they make mail bags for the I'osial .Department, coal sacus for tliG Navy, do bookbinding, mat-making, and a host of other useful jobs for the public «erriei!s. An effort has been made in the direction of irja'oducmg the system at tho Auckland gaol, and although there aro more difficulties than in England, it could be greally developed. A new bootroom has lately been set up at the gaol, and tho men inako boots for |;he staff of tho gaol, and mental hospital/ also for all the' prisoners. This is a good start, and I consider an extension of tho system would have verv valuable results."

"That tho Government mako grants to enable hostels to bo established in connection with technical schools, all profits to go to tho technical boards." Kesoiutiou passed at yesterday's conference of toxical college directors.

With a view to placing prospective employers in toucli with discharged officers and men of good educational standing who seek appointments overseas, tfho Imperial Ministry of Labour has established an Overseas Appointment Bureau, which is engaged in intioducing to employers in different parts of the Empiresuitable men for technical and administrativo posts. By tho beginning of July over 13C0 vacancies had been rogistercd,and of these over 200 had been filled through tho medium of the bureau, Tho number of applicants for appointments' overseas was about four times tho number of vacancies, and the namos of about 500 candidates were, being circulated eaeli week to employers who registered vacancies willi tho bureau, '.ilk. bureau has advised employers overseas to deal with the bureau through London agents. The men who have registered their names with i':,he bureau for employment aro all .well educated men, whoso careers have been interrupted by (lie war. Of those who aro professionally qualuicd, tho majority arc engineersthere is also a. large number of accouuwnl';.„ 9 f tllose wll ° !U '° Professionally qualikcd, a certain number of surveyors mid architects, a few doctors, and ,au occasional viferiimy surgeon. Tho largest class consists of men who wish to take commercial or clerical posts abroad, there is also an increasing number of men of the. technically qualified artisan type, fitters, carpenters, builders, etc., who wish to undertake reconstruction work.

What were known in the Victorian em (is "the accomplishments" do not find .% very forward place in the modern systems of universal education. This was recalled yesterday, when at the conference of technical college directors the following remit was passed :-"That whereas our picsont educational system appears to pay no specific attention (o (he training of the cliild in those social activities which tend to teach it how to spend in the home, it* leisure time to the best advantage. I his conference urges tho Minister of Education to make such "provision as will stimulate the nractico of vocal and instrumental music in our schools."

The Prime Minister informed the House of li'opresoukitivea yesterday that tho Government was considering the question of amending the Workers' Compensation Act to provido for the, case of miners contracting pneumoconiosis.

Replying a question by Mr. J. V. Brown ill the House of Eupreseiitatives. yester- 1 clay, the Minister uf Defence said that i Private Nimot, the one New Zealand sol- 1 die.r who deserted to'the enemy, had not i yet been repatriated from Germany to I England. It was presumed that ho. was i still in Germany. On repatriation ho 1 would 'be tried by court-martial. i Sir William Frnser informed the House of Representatives yesterday that it wan hardly probable that the Otira Tunnel would be completed within ,two years-. A statement regarding tho distribution of war trophies among the towns and cities of the Dominion was made in tho House of Kepresentatives yesterday by tho '■ Defence Minister. Sir James Allen, said: ''A largo number of trophies of war are still to arrive from England, and until these como to hand it is impossible to say how wide a distribution can be made. When they are all received the question of distribution will bo dealt with and the claims of every part of the Dominion will be carefuJly considered. Cabled advice from London this week reports that, the War Office is giving our shipment of' v trophies priority." The Minister of Customs (Mr. Ilerries) referring in the Houso of Representatives yesterday to the sale of methylated spirits to people using tho vile stuff as n beverage, said that the amount of machinery-to be set in motion to prevent the usa of mothylated spirit would bo out of nil proportion to the results achieved. Dr. A. K. Newman (Wellington East), has asked tho Postmaster-General if hewill call for tenders for the erection of a post office at Hatailai. For upwards of a -year tho Board of Trndo has had in hand the introduction , of some scheme- for the maintenance and sale or standardised boots. Dr. Newmun asked a question in the Houso of Representatives on the subject— Whether tho Government intends 'shortly to put standardised hoots ou the market at low rates. Mr. Massey replied: "A scheme is about t) "bo launched which it is hoped will insure tho pubfic obtaining boots of good qutJity at a reasonable price." The Prime Minister stated in reply to a question yesterday that tho Government is at present considering tho question of increasing tho superannuation allowances to Tctired public sqrvunts in viow of the increased cost of living. When the railway out first came into tho restrictions on goods traffic worn drastic. Much complaint .wns made against tho exclusion of cement from tho permitted schedule. Replying to a question in the House of Kepresentatives yesterday, Mr. Massey said that when tho cut was first inado restrictions had- to bo heavy, as it was imperatively, necessary to save coal. Belief had been given later to returned soldiers and other settters in urgent need'of cement' and-building material, and as far as tho Department was awaro all the cases that had como under notice had been provided for. - A request has been made on behalf of °ngine-drivers and firemen and'guards on the Marton-Te ICuiti section of tho Main Trunk line for'payment of nil extra, shilling a day in consideration of the extra work, danger, and ■ response bility involved. The Government doe* not propose to make the extra payment. Replying to o question by Mr.' W. H. Field in the Houso of Representatives yesterday, the Prime Minister said that an intimation of the policy of the Government in regard to the upkeep of roads, iind especially main arterial roads, would be made, at an early date. Mr. Field's question had references'to taxes on motor j vehicles for the purpose of getting re- i venue, but Mr. Massey did not say that ' th(! Government thought of adopting this I policy. : Some recently returned Karori soldiers, > having applied to the. Borough Council j for work, the council decided last even- i Ing to provide these men with temporary j employment in quarrying and crushing j niotafi, or work of a miscellaneous char- i acter. Mr. George George gave an illustration | at yesterday's conference of technical col- ! le;.;o directors of how regulations' at tiniest: got in the way of efficiency! 'At Auckland j they 'had an instmctress in domestic | science who had come from England, and j whilst she had no degrees- she was the . best teacher they had had. She was in- j formed that if sho did not take the course ; at the Otago School,of Domestic Science , she was likely to lose her position. As Hint would mean tho loss of salary for ! a year as well as the cost of the course : at Dunedin. the lady went back Home, : and her valuable services were lost alto- : pettier. j A. conference of representatives of tech- ! nioal education boards and directors of technical colleges will be held to-day in tho Education Board's room, commencing it 10. a.m. ... I During yesterday's sitting of the confwence of technical college directors, Mr. : W. S, La Trobe was heartily congratu- : Jnted on his appointment to the. position of Government Inspector of Technical Colleges. Mr. George, in conveying tho sentiments of the delegates, said that in their anxiety to secure increased capitation and salaries, they were,sure, as Mv. La Trobe had had his troubles as a director, that fellow feeling pu'.d make him wondrous kind. Mr. La Trobe expressed his thanks to the conference for the kindly-expressed sentiments. Ho was thoroughly in sympathy with tho directors in their nims, but further than that he iwos...afraid he could not go. .There' was much Tin what had been said about the depreciation of the sovereign, mid it had affected them all more or less, still the position was a very difficult one todeal with. He apologised for tho absence of Dr. Anderson (Director of Education); who found that he eould not be present owing to pressure of work.

Representations were recently made.to the Prime Minister regarding the serious shortage of superphosphates existing ,in the- Dominion, Tins shortage, was accentuated by the fact that the Commonwealth Government placed an embargo on the export. On August 22 the Prime Minister -cabled to the''Prima Minister of the Commonwealth pointing out tho urgent need of New Zealand for superphosphates, und. requested that tho embargo be lifted'if at all possible'. A reply now to hand from, tho Primp Minister of (he Commonwealth shows that in view of difficulty experienced in the way of a shortage of shipping tonnage to Australia for raw material, tho export of superphosphate cannot bo permitted until reasonable supplies of phosphate rock aro assured. Mr. Hughes added that no effort would bo spared to oxpedite supplies to the Dominion.

Tho motor-train service, which was formerly in use on.tho Johnsonville line, has been revived, and has started running on tho Ilutt line. The motor is driven by benzine, and'there is one trailer carriage. The new service provides ono trip between Lambton and Lower Hutt and two trips between Lnmbton and Upper Hutt daily.

Sir. T. A. 11. Field (Nelson) has asked the Government whether any arrangements (and. if so, wlmt) are being made for tho securing of shipping space for the exuort of apples for the coming season: and also whether the recommendation of tho Industries Committee that a guarantee should he granted on the export of fruit to Europe is to be given Effect to.