NEWS AND NOTES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1801, 14 March 1918, Page 1

NEWS AND NOTES.

A laboured attempt at humour was .made by% reservist in filling in his appeal paper which came before the sitting of the Military Appeal Board at Masterton, says the .Daily Times. He contended that his calling up was “contrary to the publicans’ interest,” because “the publicans of Whakataki, Tenui, and Taueru would lose ray custom.” Further, he was “one of the freest spenders in the district,” and would support that statement when he came before the board. “An instance of Native gallantry was given in the Magistrate’s Court at Masterton during the hearing of a civil case,” reports the Wairarapa Daily Times. “You seem,” said the Magistrate (Mr Kerr), addressing-' a young Native take a deep interest, in this young lady’s case as well as your own. Are you engaged to be married to her?” For a moment the Native lad looked at his Worship, and then, with a broad smile, he rose to the occasion thus: “I am sorry to say, sir, that it is my great misfortune that I am not.” Sir i Edward Carson, speaking at Dover last week, said the German methods might be learned in five minutes by her dealings with Russia and Beumania. These confiscations were enough to prevent peace in Europe for the next hundred years. If we were to have peace, none of these German acts could be allowed to stand. Anyone wanting peace'now ,was either a traitor or a madman. He had such faith in the British to say that the war should not cease until the Germans confess themselves robbers and burglars.

The position in Dunedin in regard to potatoes is reported to he causing much uneasiness. Supplies coming forward no more than meet requirements, and this is Considered an unsatisfactory sign at this time of the year, when stocks in hand should be abundant. The bulk of the main crop will not be dug till later on, but everything points to a much smaller yield than that obtained last year. The cause of the trouble is blight, due to the wet season. The Government’s arrangement to supply retailers with batter from store at the Imperial Government’s schedule of prices has worked well during the short period it has boon in operation in Wellington. During the first three days 850 boxes of 561 b. were sold to retailers at Is 5d per lb. The retail price remains at Is Bd, with a small section of the trade offering butter, not in pats, at Is 7d. It is considered in official circles that in view of the wholesale price, the ruling retail rate is too high. Wanganui also benefits under the scheme, as it was threatened with a shortage owing to the producers’ decision to stop local supplies, It is stated that if trouble arises in any other part of the Dominion the Government is prepared to extend the scheme of purchase from Imperial stocks.