Overseas Mails

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22987, 16 September 1936, Page 6

Overseas Mails

The air mail despatched from Dunedin on August 20 reached London on Friday last.

Workers' Educational Association It was reported to the meeting of the Council of the Otago University yesterday that a letter had been received from the Director of Education to the effect that the annual grant to the W.EA. had been restored, the amount being £750, as from April 1 last. Photographic Society's Exhibition The exhibition of pictorial photographs for the New Zealand interclub Bledisloe Cup competition, which was this year won by the Dunedin Photographic Society, has been extended for a further three days, and will |be concluded on Saturday evening. The display can be seen in the Photographic Society's new club rooms at 479 Princes street south, and there is no charge for admission. Shortage of Farm Labour Farmers in Southland are experiencing great difficulty in securing labour for the busy season, which is now approaching. In conversation with our Invcrcargill correspondent, a prominent northern district farmer stated that it was almost impossible to procure men for farms. Such a position he attributed to the shorter working week, stating that men would not go into the country when they could get sustenance in the cities and jobs with shorter working hours.

" Wealthy " Land Owners " 1 could give you the names of a great many men who were wealthy before the slump who are practically paupers to-day. I could give you the names of half a dozen men in Hawke's Bay, supposed to be tremendously wealthy, who could not write a cheque for £l," declared Mr Justice Blair, in the Supreme Court at Palmerston North, instancing how the slump had affected the land-owning community. Marlborough's Attitude

A decision not to become a member of the newly-formed New Zealand Travel Association was made by the Marlborough Automobile Association, following upon the receipt of a request for a donation towards its funds. The opinion was expressed that the organisation's maip object was to " boost the port of Lyttellon," and that when the Main Trunk railway was completed the Marlborough district would have to turn its attention to the claims of Picton as a port and as a tourist centre.

Dunedin Sailors' Rest To mark their arrival at their first port of call since leaving London, 30 members of the crew of the Tacoma Star were entertained last evening at the Dunedin Sailors' Rest. The missioner (Mr W. Buchan) and Mrs Inglis extended a cordial welcome to the men, and after supper had been served a pleasant social hour was spent. Dr Colquhoun's Bequest A letter was received from the Trustees, Executors, and Agency Company of New Zealand, Ltd., at the meeting of the University Council yesterday forwarding a cheque for £2043 3s 7d, representing the balance of the bequest by Dr Colquhoun, together with interest totalling £43 3s 7d. The chancellor (Mr W. J. Morrell) said that this sum made a total of over £BOOO which had been received from the estate of Dr Colquhoun. His name would go down not merely as one of their best-known physicians, but also as a great and generous benefactor of the Otago University. Art Exhibition Although it includes no work from the modern school of painting, the exhibition of pictures now being held in the Pioneer Hall contains much to interest art lovers, more especially as the majority of the exhibits, which have been brought to New Zealand by Mr R. Barnett, of Haymarket, London, are from the brushes of well-known English and Continental artists. Comprising 100 pictures, the display covers a wide range of subjects, and while oils predominate, there are also on view a number of attractive water colours. A feature of the exhibition is the arrangement of the pictures, which have been so hung as to complete a full circuit of the hall*and allow visitors a comprehensive view.

An Expensive Letter An expensive letter was despatched from Auckland yesterday to catch the Australian mail which left Wellington by the Maunganui in the afternoon, a legal firm (reports a Press Association telegram) chartering one of the Auckland Aero Club's machines to carry the letter to Wellington. Piloted by Mr W. J. Sexton the aeroplane left Auckland at 10.40 a.m. and arrived in Wellington at 1.40 p.m., leaving ample time for the letter to be posted on the Maunganui, which sailed at 3 The return journey was accomplished in three and a-quarter hours.

Southland Power Scheme Something new in broadcasting and of particular interest to Southland was carried out last evening. It took the form of a debate a Press Association telegram from Invercargill) between Mr S. Rice, a member of the Southland Electric Power Board, and the Minister of Finance (Mr W. Nash) on the question of the future control of the Southland power scheme. Mr Rice spoke first for 20 minutes from Invercargill and Mr Nash spoke for a similar period from Wellington, the addresses being broadcast from 4YA, Dunedin, and 4ZP, Invercargill. Each speaker was then given 10 minutes to reply. At present a postal ballot is being conducted throughout the Southland Power Board's district on the following issues:—(a) "That the Government take over the assets and liabilities of the Southland Power Board's undertaking"; (b) "That the scheme be retained by the board." The Government's offer to take over the scheme has been rejected by the board, which is fighting to retain it. Tremendous interest is being taken in the ballot, and campaigns for and against Government control are in full swing. The ballot will be closed at 1 p.m. on September 28.

Trade Follows the Flag The Melbourne Argus makes jocose referance to the increased collections of beer duty in Dunedin last month. It says:—"Trade follows the flag—and the premiership pennant. A cable message from New Zealand attributes the doubling of the amount of beer duty collected in Dunedin for August to the fact that Otago province holds a coveted Rugby football trophy. Each of the six challengers of the doughty team brought thousands of barrackers with them. Like Julius Caesar, they came and they saw, but, unlike Caesar, they were conquered—the players, by the invincible Otago combination, the barrackers by the charms of Otago beer. Doubtless, the home team's barrackers also made as great a sacrifice on the altar of duty—excise duty. They were in duty bound to wet conquering Otago's head, just as were the visiting barrackers to honour the mournful toast of 'What might have been.' In ancient times libations of wine were poured on an altar at a solemn celebration. Modern technique has improved upon that. The liquor is consumed by the celebrants, and the Government takes in cash the share that the gods used to receive symbolically. From time immemorial partisans have thirsted after victory. Now they thirst after defeat." A Decimal Coinage

The fact that there is a considerable body of opinion behind an agitation for the decimalisation of British /currency was revealed in correspondence read at the meeting of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce last night. The council had before it a letter from the Decimal Association, which has its headquarters in London, pointing out that there had been no official response to a resolution passed by the Federation of Chambers of Commerce of the British Empire in 1933 urging the decimalisation of the £1 in the interests of commercial efficiency and the facilitating of exchange transactions. The letter suggested that, as the Federation's next congress was to be held in New Zealand, this would offer an opportunity again to urge action in the proper quarters. "I take it that we don't want to install new book-keep-ing machines," said the chairman (Mr Newman R. Wilson), but Mr H. L. Longbottom pointed out that there were new machines which could only be used with a decimal coinage. Were it possible to use these machines under "the present abominable system," a tremendous advance could be made in book-keeping methods. The discussion ended when attention was drawn to the fact that the time for the lodging of remits to be considered by the congress had already expired.

Population Loss Although it Is a moot point just how far conclusions can be drawn from figures, a glance at the external migration section of the monthly Abstract of Statistics seems to illustrate what has from time to time been brought into publicity as a pressing question for New Zealand to consider. For instance, the August Abstract shows that 1438 "permanent" European residents departed permanently from the Dominion during the four months ended July, 1936; and it shows as well that there were only 645 immigrants during that period who intended to live in New Zealand permanently. An investigation into the Abstracts of other years reveals a similar position. In 1931, however, the ratio was different; for the seven months ended July there were 2243 immigrants intending permanent residence, while 1696 resi dents departed permanently Both these figures showed a decrease on those for the corresponding period of 1930. The difference between the figures for this year shows that in the four months reviewed New Zealand's " permanent" population decreased by migration to the extent of 793 people. Of those who left. 583 went to Australia, 620 to Britain. 145 to other British countries, 28 to the United States, and 62 to other foreign countries.

Half-holiday in Taranaki A move to institute the Saturday half-holiday in all towns in Taranaki was made last night (says a Press Association telegram from New Plymouth) when a petition was sent to Parliament asking for official determination of the half-day. Some towns, including Hawera, Patea, Opunake and Manaia, have already made the change to Saturday. The problem may be settled by Order-in-Council if the Government is satisfied that the great majority of the people desire the change. New Plymouth has had the Saturday holiday for many years, and the varying days on which the holiday has been observed have been confusing to business and sport. Liberty of Conscience

Grave concern was expressed at the Australasian Union Conference of Seventh Day Adventists in Melbourne last week at the adoption by the New Zealand Labour Government of a Bill for compulsory unionism. This, it was declared, was a violation of the principle of liberty of conscience. Pastor H. E. Piper, president of the New Zealand Conference, said after a period of quiet and rest electors had been called upon to defend the principle of liberty of conscience which had been definitely threatened in the new legislation of the Labour Government now in power. That legislation called for compulsory unionism, which definitely infringed the rights of conscience. As the Act now stood, every employer would have to dismiss any employee who was a non-unionist in any trade or industry covered by an award. It was anticipated that a number of Adventists would lose their employment, but so far only one had been dismissed, and an appeal was being made that he be reinstated.

The Railways Department advertises in this issue particulars of train arrangements in connection with the Wellington v. Otago Ranfurly Shield ' match at Dunedin on Saturday next. The attention of carriers is drawn to the annual meeting of the Gore and Districts Carriers' Association in the Cosy Tea Rooms, Gore, at 8 p.m. tomorrow. An invitation to intending members is cordially extended. On account of the street collection to be held on Friday in connection with the Social Service Department of the Central Mission, the meat to the registered unemployed will be distributed to-day and to-morrow, instead of Thursday and Friday. The Railways Department advertises in this issue particulars of another excursion Dunedin to Invercargill on Sunday next. For 40 years Williamsons have been making good rings. Beautiful finish and expert craftsmanship is the reason for their popularity. Opposite The Savoy.—Advt. Eye Strain. -For Eye Comfort, or oetter vision consult Sturmer and Watson Ltd.. Opticians. 2 Octagon, Dui edin.-Advt A. E. J. Blakeley and W. E. Bagley, dentists. Bank of Australasia, corner of Bond and Rattray streets (next Telegraph Office) Telephone J 2-359. Advt. Those who are requiring an Engagement Ring will do well to inspect our stock. Peter Dick, Jewellers and Opticians. 488 Moray place. Dunedin.— Advt.