LOCAL & GENERAL

Levin Daily Chronicle, 28 July 1917, Page 2

LOCAL & GENERAL

Poroutawhao Maoris, assisted by a number of outside friends, held a most enjoyable concert and dance at the local meetinghouse last week. A substantial sum was realised. A detailed report will appear in our next issue. (Respecting farm labor, Mr H. D. Vavasour, of Marlborough, moved at the .New Zealand Farmers' Union Conference on Wednesday: "That this conference is of the opinion that the agricultural and pastoral labor having already been depleted by one-ihalf, it is essential for these industries, both in the interests of the "Empire and the Dominion, that no more essential labor from them should be conscripted." The motion was lost by twenty votes to eight. 1 Devon and .Somerset stagliounds on Easter Monday chased a. stag from a point in Somerset to Tiverton waterworks. The stag plunged in the reservoir, where it was killed, several of the hounds being' drowned at the same timo. Paris, April 14—The •. pastrycooks, as the result of a conference with the Food Controller, have decided to close their establishments for two months with the object of enabling the Food Ministry to create a flosr reserve.— Reuter. Professor Hunter, of Victoria College, Wellington, in a letter to the Evening Post, contends that New Zealand's true interests would be best ser\ ed by holding the Parliamentary General Elections without delay. In a. reference to some contentions that the elections should be postponed indefinitely, Professor Hunter says: "To suggest that to do this is inimical to the interests of New Zealand 01 the Empire that if present "National" Cabinet .were displaced the Germans would rejoice, and probably win the war, is too childish. Practically every important belligerent has changed its Government, some frequently. Efficiency has demanded it; demands it in New Zealand. To suggest that while England and France may change their leaders, New Zealand cannot do so without disaster befalling the Allies and our Empire would be really very funny if it were not so sad."

"Members of the working class must in the future take greater interest in public affairs than they have done in the past," says Private James M'Kenzie at the -Labor social tendered him

last Saturday (says the Evening Post). Private M'Kenzie said that the calamity of the war was a sufficient proof of the unfitness to govern of the men who had hitherto posed as the leaders of the people. If any working man in his everyday work had shown such incapacity as liad been displayed by the political leaders the street would have been tlie only place for him. The situation now had got beyond the power of the people to control. They were simply ■drifting. Some might regard it as presumption, *but lie was convinced that the only way to prevent a recurrence of such a disaster was for 'the people to realize that pjublio affairs were not a thing of no moment to them. They must study such matters and see that no men were chosen to represent them who had not the ability, or at least the honesty (for that was most important) to do what the people wished.' The Governments of the past had been discredited by the war and t>he events leading up to it, and the time coming was Labor's opportunity, both in iNW Zealand and elsewhere.

ißionie, April 1 ■).- Tlk v ex-Premier, Signoi' Giolitti, contributes the following staterr ent. to a vatriotic publication entitled "Flames of Italy," I' ifteen months of war ihave proved that when honour and the future wellbeing of the countiry are at stake the Italians cheerfully bear the heaviest sacrifices. The struggle may still be long and bitter, but intimate 00-op-eration between our heroic soldiers and a sternly resolute country will result in victory and the full achievement of the national aspirations." The Premier, Signal- Boselli, writes: "We are determined oh victory and will achieve it for Italy and civilisation."

On Tuesday the staff of the. Central Development Farm, Weraroa, met to says farewell and Godspeed to a member of the clerical staff, Mr Gordon i). 'Hathaway, who has now gone into camp. Mi- Hathaway! had enlisted at the age of : 18, but was not accepted until this week when he completed his twentieth birthday. 'lhe director '(.Mr John Brown) in an appropriate speech, said good-bye to Mr Hathaway, and on behalf of the staff presented him with a wristlet watch with monogram, wishing him good luck and safe return. 'Mr Hathaway, in response, said that he hoped the time was not far distant when he should be able to join his fellow workers agam. —jOh the same evening the students of the farm gave 'Mr Hathaway a

little send-off dance which was thoroughly enjoyed by all present. The acting-manag«r of thef sFarm, Mr J« Stevenson, JMr 01!cTagg)art :(agricujturalist) and Mr H. 'H. Cork, on behalf of Mr Hathawaiy's Levin friends, each spoke of his good qualities as an officer and friend!, and iwilshed him all possible good and a safe return from the war. After an hour or two of dancing all joined in singing > "For he's a jolly good fellow, and the National Anthem, and a very pleasant function was concluded.