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Evening Star, Issue 24287, 31 August 1942, Page 2

There will bo no change in the petrol ration for private car owners in September. The Minister of Supply, Mr Sullivan, announced Inst night that thereupon would be redeemable at half its face value. I notice (writes our Loudon correspondent) an innovation at St. Stephen’s since the Lower House was bombed out of its . own chamber and had to seek accommodation elsewhere. In place of the glass of water (or sometimes an amber-coloured liquid), with which Ministers used l to fortify themselves and fortify the constitution, an ordinary china cup has been substituted. Members are a little uncertain whether this is a now symptom of austerity or a Machiavellian device on tho part of the Office of Works to conceal from inquisitive eyes the fact that some Ministers, when called upon to make lengthy orations, have a penchant for what is generously regarded as cold tea.

There lias lately been a largo increase in the number of women clerks in the Records Office at the Kensington Drill Hall, and they are being taught the work which since the war began has boon carried out by men. As they become proficient all grade I. and grade If. men employed will bo posted to military units. The work thereafter will bo done by the women and by a small percentage of civil clerks.

The second draft of women who have volunteered for Army service left this morning for the W.A.A.C. camp in Canterbury. They wore accompanied by Staff-sergeant C. H. Peek. The two drafts have comprised 55 women, and the Drill Hall authorities are very pleased that the full number requested to report for duty have done so. This is not always the case by a long way with the men, and with the women is all the more commendable, as they are volunteers; any one could have withdrawn at the last minute.

Amidst the news of steamers being sunk and the consequent non-arrival of letters, etc., it will bo very gratifying to all the Red Cross voluntary helpers of New Zealand to learn that a further 42 cases of relief goods have reached London, and the War Purposes Committee has received from the liaison officer of the war organisation of the British Red' Cross .Society and Order of St. John of Jerusalem further indications of how pleased and, thankful it is that the Dominion is able to continue sending such valuable help, and in concluding the letter of acknowledgment the war organisation conveys its sincere thanks to all those who are associated with these generous donations.

A film dealing with unexploded bombs will bo shown at the Strand Theatre, by courtesy of the management, to-morrow at noon and 5 p.m., on Wednesday at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m., and on Thursday at noon. A short explanatory talk will bo given by the officer accompanying the film. In view of the importance of the subject it is hoped that all E.P.S. personnel will make an effort to see the film.

For this month of August there has been a most remarkable drop in the number of births registered in Dunedin. In 1911 there were 162. hut this year only 107. There was a definite increase in the number of deaths, 127 being registered this year, in comparison with 102 last year. Marriages remained practically unchanged with 71 this year and 70 in 1911.

Dr Galway’s recital on the Town Hall organ last night was giyen added interest by tho items by Miss Mavis Macdonald and the Castalian Singers, who contributed a number of excellentlysung part songs and spirituals. The city organist registered with his usual virtuosity such line works as Bach’s ‘Fugue in B Minor,’ tho first movement of AVidor’s great ‘ Organ Symphony No. 6,’ Guillmant’s ‘ Prayer and Cradle Song,’ and two new compositions, ‘Caprice’ . (Hotting) and ‘Lullaby’ (Bellhonse). There are a good many journalists now in London, and especially American correspondents, who were driven out of Germany when the United States came into the war (writes our London correspondent). It is curious how unanimous they are that tho civilian population of Germany will bitterly resent any continuance of the war through-another winter. Tho memory of what their sons, brothers, and 1 husbands suffered in tho terrible cold a few months ago is still fresh in their minds. These correspondents assert also that oven at tho time they left Germany Hitler was beginning to lose his old grip on tho people. They sensed a new frigidity in his audience, too, when ho spoke about better arrangements for transport and clothing if winter should find the campaign in Russia still in progress. “ One or two more speeches like that would spell the end' of Hitler’s dominance,’’ was how one American correspondent expressed it in conversation.

Whilo citizens are more or less becoming accustomed to soaring war-time prices for commodities, an occasional protest is still heard on the subject. But even if goods were reasonably priced in the days before the dogs of war wore unleashed, one has to go back to a long forgotten period to get really cheap prices. Witness the following price list culled from an advertisement in a daily paper in 1884:—Men’s hats, Js (id; men’s hard hats, 4s (id ; men’s suits, 12s (id; men’s socks, 4d a pair; shirts, Is Cd ; kid gloves. Is pair; turkish towels, (id each; all-wool llannols, 7-Jd yard ; dress materials, 2s 9d; cotton shirtings. .‘i?,d yard; lace muslins, 2d yard, and so on. But that was in the bad old days.”

Evidence of the desire of the W.A.A.C. to become an efficient Army unit is provided at the camp for women which has been established near Christchurch, where the picketing is done by women. At the gate a smartlydressed woman soldier inspects passes, and those who have had tho experience of entering the camp know that there is no more chance of talking their way into the camp if their papers are not in order than there would be if there was a man on picket duty. While they are learning tho work, the girls have" with them a corporal from tho Army.

"Tt is not a skilled occupation. I have done it, and would 7iot shrink from doiiij* it now," said Mr Justice O'Regan in the. Compensation Court in Hamilton. The question had been raised as to whether a ners.oll concerned in the case was qualified to.act as a shot-firer in a quarry.

Tlio question of youths between the ages of 16 and 18 years being compelled to serve in the national war effort whether they are at school or at work was discussed at a meeting of the Wanganui E.P.S. Executive Committee, reports an Association message. A resolution urging that this be introduced is to be sent to the Government. .It was stated that there are many youths of these ages who are doing nothing to further the war effort, although several E.P.S. units had members younger. The regional commissioner (Colonel Y. C. Ciochctto) reminded members that no regulations had been introduced compelling persons under 18 years of age to servo in any capacity. In conformity with the expressed desire of His Majesty the King., Wednesday next, September 3, will be observed as a day of prayer. A civic intercession service has been arranged to take place in the Town Hall on that date, commencing at noon and concluding at 2 p.m. The service has been arranged by the National Council of Churches. Employers are asked by the mayor (Mr A. H. Allen) to co-operate by closing their business premises between the hours mentioned, so that employees may have an opportunity to attend the service.

Before Mr W. H. Freeman, S.M., at To Aroha. Henry Baker, a farmer, was charged with having Ibecu on the Paoroa racecourse while prohibited from such gatherings. The reason of such prohibition was stated by the police to he defendant’s attendance at a two-up school in Hamilton which was raided. Ho was lined £5 and 10s costs.—Press Association.

The Railway Department advertises in this issue particulars of fares and train arrangements for tile Otago Hunt Club's races at Wingaiui on September 5.