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Hokitika Guardian, 26 February 1918, Page 2

| Just what war times are like in Eng--1 land, a late cable message, published in Australian papers gives something of an inkling by the story of the hungry millions of London who are ever in search for food. The .cable says:—“The food queues were longer and more numerous than ever in London on Saturday, rich and poor joining in tin? hunt for Sunday’s meat and butter. Some queues contained as manv as .‘IOO women and children. .VI ost of the shops kept, their shutters down, permitting a few people, to enter at a time, and all were soon sold out. Thousands of housewives were disappointed, but there was little complaint. Jlnbbits reached 5s apiece. .Old liens sold at Is fld pci - lb. The residents of the country districts are getting plenty of food, but many of the provincial cities arc bare. The police in many places in order to quell raids took over shops and stalls, and enforced all equitable distribution of the goods. In London ft butcher showed a sign—“No meat, but you can lino up for bones,' 1 ' The queue«

remained and purchased the bones.” These lengthening queues, and the experiences here quoted, give an idea of the serious plight of the peoplo in thoOld Country. Fortunately) the rigors of winter aro passing, and with the spring certain food supplies will become more ample. .Hut it is clear that at the heart, of the Empire great privations arc being experienced both bodily and mentally; for apart Atom food shortage, there is the constant strain arising from the recurring air raids. Life in London, with its teeming millions, cannot lie pleasant). We must admire and respect the resoluteness of the people to stick oht the adverse conditions so bravely, realising that their devotion and sacrifice adds very materially to the final winning of the war.

Jx his address at the annual session of the New Zealand Society of Engineers Mr, J. Blair Mason, the retiring president, had something to say on the question of road maintenance. A strong public opinion is, he said, growing that some different method of road control, also of the construction of the main roads to .meet the propelled traffic is necessary. s 111 France, Italy, Germany and England, special road governing bodies have been constructed. In America there is the Federal Board of Road Inquiry controlled by men possessing special knowledge, who in conjunction with the Highway Boards or commissions of the various States determine the apportionment of the cost of approved roads, part of which is borne by the State and part by the municipality. Landowners in some cases are called upon to contribute. There does not scorn to be in tile States any system in carrying out instructions. In some States the municipalities are requited to do the work, in others tlie State Supervises j, sometimes it is by agreement. In the Commonwealth the State 'of Victoria pifssed an Act, called the Country Roads Act, 1912 to inaugurate and carry out a better system than that previously obtaining in the State for the construction and maintenance of the principal higlnvaysand developmen tal roads, The Act constitutes a board of throe ltloniliers. ) The Government have placed to the credit of the board tile sum of £2,000,000 to be expended Over il period of five years in the construction of such roads as the board considers to be of sufficient importance to he main roads and also with funds to ihitifftuin roads to a standard suitable for the traffic they are required to carry. Tile board, save in special eases, I'elegate the work ; of Construction to the shil-eS and municipalities who have to (Id the work to the board’s satisfaction. Splendid! results have followed the operations of the board, and the State can now boast of main roads equal to all modern demands of traffic. Transport has been made generally .easier, and the settlement of the back blocks encouraged .