NOTES AND COMMENTS

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 107, 30 January 1943, Page 4

NOTES AND COMMENTS

Coinciding with the triumphant march of the New Zealand Division into Tripoli with its comrades-in-arms of the British Eighth Army, comes most appropriately as a compliment to our servicemen as represented by the N.Z.R.S.A.. a signed portrait: of Britain's war leader, Mr. Churchill, presented through the British High Commissioner, Sir Harry Batterbee. The gift Is a token of Mr. Churchill's admiration for Ute manner in which our New Zealand soldiers, both iu Hie last war and in lite present conflict, have upheld Ute credit of their country and proved their valour and manhood. This feeling, we may lie sure, will lie cordially reciprocated ior tlie qualities of courage, tenacity, and calm confidence shown by tlie British Prime Minister and the people of the Mother Country throughout the dangerous stresses of the war. and which has eonlributed in large measure to a position from which il is now possible lo sec ahead the promise ot victor} and its ultimate fulfilment.

This year's award of the Loder Cup "for the protection ami cultivation of the itieomparablc flora of the Dominion." to Mr. A. W. W'nstney. of Makapuakn. Nelson, presents one side, the constructive side, of flora conservation. Grass and bush fires in various parts of the country since the advent of the dry summer season presents another side, the destructive side. Every year, warnings are issued appealing to the public to be careful about stinting tires to the danger of the countryside, ami every year the summer season ends with a record of blackened acres and valuable native flora destroyed through some act of carelessness. The current season, it is regrettable lo note, promises to be no exception. There were no fewer than seven gorse tires in the Wellington area yesterday, ami from some country districts extensive damage involving financial loss as well as irreparable destruction native flora. Ims alremly been reported. These outbreaks, il may lxhoped, should come tis a warning lo people t” be careful for the rest ”1 Ihe season.

A timely warning, which in lite interests of those concerned should be heeded has been tillered by Ihe Crown representative. Mr. Bell, at tlie Manpower Appeal Board, lo girls who leave their employment, in mmessential industries to join Hie women's division ot Ihe armed forces. Although a particular industry may be in the category of “mm-essential as far as Ihe war is concerned, it Ims, nevertheless, its place in tlie economy and services of the eominunily. Mr. Bell was stating a well-known fuel when ho said ilmt there was a growing tendency for girls to leave these non-essential industries for the armed forces, leaving their employers undei serious hnmlieaps. It is well that litis should be said now, and appropriate measures taken- before lite position becomes more unsatisfactory. Even as it. is lite situation as between lite detmtmls for the armed forces on Ute one hand, ami for Hie community's civilian services on Hie oilier. Ims been foi some time past iu a stale of unbalance, ami must lie carefully watched.

In November Hie number of men working under the St.ite emplo.'nienl promotion schemes fell below .1000, the actual number being 900. of these lh( . nnij’irity C.llli .'ire employed under scheme No. 13, ami, if lolinei pioiinrlioiis have been imiinlained. are engaged on ’.streets, 10.u.s am ie serves.” A year ngere were 3700 men in full-time subsidized employPK.pl. „f wliom more limn 2000 were working under No. 13 scheme. Ihe redm-lion in ihe numbers will not appear as surprising as Hie .mt t i.it m ...Hod of acme shortage of manpower nearly 1000 men should still he (■mploved under employment promotion schemes. It would li.ne ecu ex p e( . l( ,', lbllt some suitable class of work could have been found even for llle ppp-,, elderly or less physically til num. There are some engaged on vari„„s land development work for private owners, the State meeting tn per of the wages costs. This scheme was susmmded in Noiembei. 1941, but provision was made for existing contracts to be completed, i. ppaten y some Of them have mil been finished after Ihe passage of over a year, amt men 11ms engaged eould have been used in produelmn on farms Where labour for Hint purpose is urgently required. H- IS labol" to to I K ,|, IV .to-day work on Hie land Hull is of impoi'lnnee, ami it should lie possible. timoiig these 9(10 men now employed on subsidized st hemes In find sonti lit ted for il.