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Evening Star, Issue 23702, 9 October 1940, Page 6

“ Since I came to New Zealand I have often been asked whether those Afrikaners who objected to taking part in the present war didn’t change their minds when Hitler invaded Holland,” said Professor J. Y. T. Greig, professor of English in the University of Witwatersrand, South Africa, speaking at Victoria University College. “No such reaction occurred. The Afrikaner may verbally acknowledge his kinship with the Hollander, yet his feeling for Holland is little, if any, stronger than that of the average citizen of the United States for England. What the Afrikaner has always craved, and been ready passionately to defend, by force of arms if necessary, is what we now. fashionably call ‘ isolationism.’ ” About this time of the year, the green lizard, which ranks amongst the lesser-known fauna of New Zealand, comes out of its hibernation, and already two specimens have been forwarded to the Otago Museum, where they are on display. The Maoris called the lizard “ kakariki,” and lived in deep fear of it. According to Sir W. Bullcr, the kakariki would, on being molested, emit a (peculiar chattering sound which the Maoris termed “ laughing.” This, he said, would terrify the bravest warrior. Technically speaking, it is not a lizard, but a gecko, which has certain well-defined structural differences, notably the absence of scales on the body. They hibernate in groups of six or seven, and disperse wdien they come out of winter quarters, usually, in September.

The hope that works efficiency councils similar to that proposed hy the conference of freezing works representatives would be established in all big industries was expressed by Mr Webb last night. ITe said he hoped to see the principle adopted, because it would bring employers and workers closer together in an atmosphere not ipregnant with contention. The councils would first consider if improvements in the industry could be brought in, and then investigate the suggestions either side might make. Such suggestions, made in the absence of beat, would probably result in a clearer understanding of the problems confronting industry. “ I cannot imagine -anything but good coming from such consultations. There is no suggestion whatever of job control,” said the Minister.—Press Association. How Goebbels does it: A Gorman military band was playing in the streets of Paris, and thousands of men and women were listening. Suddenly the music stopped. In the resulting dead silence, a voice shouted from the loud speaker, “ Those who do not speak German raise their hands,” and beca use . virtually nobody spoke German. thousands of hands were raised. A flash and all were photographed standing there, arms apparently raised in the Hitler salute.--Columbia Mroadcasting System, Xew York, U.S. A,

At a meeting of the executive of the Rcturnecl Soldiers’ Association, presided over by Mr W. K. Cameron, last night, Jour nominations for membership were accepted; one transfer in and one transfer out were approved, and two deaths were reporte.d. A committee appointed by Archbishop Le Fanu, at the request of the 1939 Sydney Anglican Synod, to consider the morality of accepting money from the State Lotteries Commission, has found that there is no moral fault against laws of God and man in the theory, and practice of charities consultation, and that the Orphanages Committee’s practice in receiving money from the commission was justifiable. The practice, states the committee, is therefore right for hospitals and other institutions. The Church of England’s ways must be controlled by enlightened reason on Christian principles, which can be manifested, not only in ecclesiastical affairs, but in the Christian community’s life as a whole, states the committee.

The spirit of Britain continues to be exemplified in letters received by local traders from business concerns at Home. Here is the accompanying note on a letter which came this morning, dated August 16, at a time when airraids were severe: “The Navy still delivers the goods, so send on your orders and leave it to us to buy and ship. We shall keep supplies moving.”

“There is a tremendous amount of drinking going on in the vicinity of dance halls in this district, and . the fines in the past have been altogether too small. 1 am going fo follow the lead of the magistrate in the adjoining district and double them,” said Mr W. H. Freeman, S.M., in the Morrinsville Magistrate’s Court. He imposed fines and costs totalling £45 18s on six men. None of them appeared. Flags were flown on Government buildings to-day to marie the anniversary of the arrival of Captain Cook in New Zealand in 1769. It was on this voyage that Cook charted the coastline and prepared an outline which was subsequently proved amazingly accurate—a performance which can be looked upon only in its true light when one considers the rugged contour of the coastline and the nature of the instruments used in those days. A passenger in a New; Plymouth tram car a few days ago proffered a concession ticket of 14 one-section rides issued in 1916, the year the system was inaugurated. Although coneessi’on tickets have undergone many variations since then, the ancient cardboard was still negotiable, and the owner was entitled to four more rides than he would have been if he had used one of the latest concession tickets. Naturally, the production of a ticket so old but in such good condition excited the interest of tramwaymen, and on being questioned, the owner, a visitor, explained that he had had it ever since he left New Plymouth in 1917. “ We sometimes find out-of-date concession tickets being used; but this one is exceptional,” said a tramway official. “ When ho has finished with it the owner has promised to allow us to frame it.” At 9.10 this morning, the City Brigade was called to a chimney lire in York Place. At 5.1 p.m. yesterday a hedge lire was dealt with in Millington street, North-cast Valley, and. an hour and a-half later the brigade attended a chimney lire in Royal Terrace.