GERMAN COLONIES.......................................

Evening Star, Issue 22457, 30 September 1936, Page 8

GERMAN C0L0N1E5.......................................

Significant of the general attitude towards a question which threatens to be thrust increasingly upon the world’s attention is a cable message from Bulawayo which states as follows;—“fearing Germany’s colonial aspirations, the Government of Northern Rhodesia has asked the Imperial Government to annex the territory as a Crown colony,” It is some weeks since Mr Pirow, Defence Minister of the Union of South Africa, following a visit to Great Britain, seemed to express sympathy with a conviction which he found common there that, some day or other, Germany would have to be given compensation for her lost colonies, and given it in Africa. He suggested that the compensation might be found in the Cameroons and Togoland, which are mainly french, or Portuguese Angola. Since then Mr Pirow has found it necessary to explain that he had no idea of finding it in South-west Africa or in Tanganyika. All sorts of communities can see a case for giving some sort of territory to Germany provided someone else does the giving, and provided, for preference, that her new colonies are not too close to their own domains. Prior to October, 1923, both Southern ; and Northern Rhodesia were under the administration of the British Soutli African Company, The former became then the newest dominion. The company has still important rights in Northern Rhodesia, though by an Order in Council passed in 1924 it was relieved of the administration of tho territory and a governor appointed, who is assisted by an Executive Council of five members and a small Legislative Council, of which only a minority is elective. About the same size as what was formerly Cape Colony, with a European population of some 10,000; as against a million and a third of natives, the territory consists for the most part of high plateau country, covered with thin forest. Some of this country is suitable for fanning, with areas of good arable and grazing land. It has Southwest Africa (formerly German) for neighbour. It is not obvious how Northern Rhodesia would be protected from possible cession to Germany by its constitution as a Crown colony. The country was too undeveloped to be included with Southern Rhodesia when that area received dominion status, and the prospect has been held up before Southern Rhodesians of their ultimate inclusion as a province of the South African Union. It is clear, however, that there is no desire, in Northern Rhodesia, or near it, for that region to be handed over to German government. A manifesto signed by Lord Ponsonby, Canon Dick Sheppard, Mr George Lansbury, and others has proclaimed the need for “ the immediate summoning of a world conference in order to settle economic and territorial grievances.” Economic troubles might bo settled in that manner, though past trial gives no encouragement to the hope. Such a hearing for territorial grievances could do nothing but increase their number beyond measure, with the least conceivable chance of any appeasement,.

That the Otago Cricket Association should make some effort to cater for those young men who would have Saturday mornings free as the result of the 40-hour week was the opinion expressed by Mr J. M. Fraser at last night’s meeting. Mr Fraser said that, with the 40-hour week, there would be a danger of many young men going away for the week-ends and being lost to cricket altogether. He said that, if necessary, the association should consider arranging whole-day matches for them, or, alternatively, of allowing them to play in a morning competition on Saturdays and again in the afternoon. He strongly urged clubs to look into this matter without delay. The telegraphed information from Christchurch that no more bulk whisky would be sent to Now Zealand from Scotland is flatly contradicted in a cablegram just received by Messrs Neill and Co. Ltd., agents for the Distillers’ Agency Ltd., of Edinburgh. The cablegram states that the Scottish manufacturing company’s standard grades of bulk whisky are available in any quantity and that the restriction of its supplies is in respect of cheap grades only.

In the case in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday in which judgment by default was given for John Trengrove against Robert Conn’s Grand Pharmacy for £197 18s 3d, the amount of a guarantee, it should be made clear that the action had no reference whatever to the Dunedin pharmacy of that name. It concerned Robert Conn’s Grand Pharmacy of Christchurch.

The Nelson Fire Brigade has received advice that the Government has approved of a grant of £1,500 for the annual fire brigades’ conference and demonstration at Nelson on March 7 next. —Press Association.

So far as Dunedin is concerned, Animal Welfare Week, which is being held this week, is proceeding satisfactorily. The Otago Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals previously circularised all local ministers asking them to include messages in their Sunday services on the necessity for kindly treatment of all animals and birds, while school masters were asked to give special lessons to the children under their charge. In addition, the society presented each school with a supply of pamphlets on the subject for distribution among the pupils. At the beginning of the week Mr J. C. Willis, a member of the committee of the society, broadcast a talk from 4YA on the objects of Animal Welfare Week, while Big Brother Bill is including appropriate talks in the daily children’s sessions. The co-operation_ of all concerned is being willingly given in this year’s effort to encourage everyone to care for animals and birds and to see that they are at all times kindly treated.

During the past week seven, employers seeking boys from the Dunedin Vocational Guidance Association stipulated that the age of the lads should not exceed 16J years. Although four older boys were placed in factory work requiring more developed physique, this experience shows the concern at the present time regarding prospective obligations in adult wage regulations. Evidently it is thought that the elder boys will have arrived at men’s pay before giving full service. An old hand at Port Chalmers noted a difference in the docking of the “ Calcutta boat ” these days as compared to a few years ago. The difference is in the direction of the absence of monkeys. The Calcutta trader Narbada is now in dock at Port Chalmers. There are no monkeys for sale. A few years ago, when the Eastern trader Aparima was in dry dock, there was an abundance of monkeys for sale. The coolie crews carried a few monkeys as a side line. The traffic grew until the supply exceeded the demand, and sackfuls of unsold monkeys were dumped. One voyage the dumping of unsold stock took place before the ship cleared the harbour. Occasional sackfuls of dead monkeys on the harbour foreshore led to inquiries by the authorities. The monkey trade was suppressed—and it is still suppressed, which is not a bad thing for the monkeys.

Leaving the Taierl aerodrome pn Monday morning, Messrs J. R. Fairburn, B. H. Nees, and W. A. Mitson were inspecting the mining operations at the Waitahu sluicing claim, Reef ton, by midday, and were back in Dunedin the next afternoon. On the outward journey the route taken was by way of Christchurch and Arthur’s Pass, while the return trip was made by way of the Haast Pass. The return, made at an altitude of 8,200 ft, completed a wonderful round trip. The mountain scenery from the Haast Pass to Lake Hawea was particularly impressive, as was a landing at Franz Josef Glacier. Normally the trip to Reefton takes a minimum of five days, so the air trip was both an economy of time anjl money. The passengers were much impressed with the precautions taken by the pilot. Before leaving a landing ground telephone communication was made with the next stopping place to check up on visibility and weather conditions.

The postal authorities advise that the tanker South Africa left Sydney at 9.53 a.m. on Tuesday for Dunedin via Newcastle, with 13 bags of Australian mail for New Zealand. The Tokyo Maru left for Auckland the, same day with eight bags of Australian mail for Dunedin. The mail by the South Africa should be to hand about Sunday, and that by the Tokyo Maru on Monday.

The mayor (Rev. E. T. Cox) has received advice that the new cruiser Achilles will reach Dunedin on November 23 on her first visit to this port, and will remain here till November 26. Five minutes before midnight last night the City Fire Brigade answered a malicious false alarm given from the corner of Elgin road and Gardiner street.

A party of about 150 delegates to the congress of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce of the British Empire and wives will be making a comprehensive tour of the Dominion at the conclusion of the conference in Wellington. The visitors will reach Dunedin on the evening of October 14, and will be accorded a civic welcome and supper on the evening of their arrival. On Thursday, October 15, they will bo taken for a motor drive to Waipori. and at 12.45 on Friday, October 16, they will be the guests at a luncheon in the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall. Under the leadership of the Rt. Hon. Viscount Elibank, delegates will be present from the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and other parts of the Empire.

The postal authorities advise that the air mail despatched from Dunedin on September 9 via Singapore reached London on Monday last.

“ We are no more a college than a primary schoolj” said Mr W. G. Aldridge (principal) at a meeting of the board of managers of the Dunedin Technical School yesterday afternoon. They might call themselvese the King Edward Technical College, or any other name, but to the Education Department they would always be referred to as the “ Dunedin Technical School.” The school also had the “ Dunedin Technical High School branch” for full-time pupils.

The City Fire Brigade responded to a 6all to Montague street, North-east Valley, to a bush fire, at 1.29 p.m. today. Eye strain—for eyo comfort for better vision, consult Sturmer and Watson Ltd., opticians, 2 Octagon, Dunedin.—[Advt.l Attention is drawn to the Railways Department’s advertisement in this issue referrine to the running of an excursion tram at particularly cheap fares to Lawrence on Sunday, October 4, m connection with Daffodil Day.’ -As only a limited number of passengers can be conveyed by the special, early application for tickets should be made to avoid disappointment. A committee to inquire into the various aspects of the abortion problem in New Zealand has been appointed by the Minister of Health, and will commence hearing evidence in Dunedin qu October 14. 1 articulars are advertised in this issue.