NEWS OF THE DAY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24408, 20 September 1940, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY

AN example of the high morale of Londoners in their present ordeal is given in a reply received by Mr J. R. McKenzie who cabled to the London buyers of his firm inquiring as to their safety. The reply speaks for itself: “ Your stimulating message greatly appreciated. All safe and cheerfully optimistic that we-can defend the Empire’s hub. Efficiency being maintained. but delays, however, are inevitable. Greetings to New Zealand friends.”

Price of Lemons Recent increases in ithe price of lemons which, he says, was advanced by one third in 1939 *by the Internal Marketing Department, and by the cost of the cases—approximately 20 per cent.—in 1940, have led one local consumer of this commodity to raise the question with the Price Tribunal for the purpose of determining whether the Internal Marketing Department is subject to the control of the tribunal or whether it can revise its prices without reference to any other organisation.

Soldiers’ Parcels The Dunedin Community Sing Committee has every reason to be proud of the support that has been given to the appeal for parcels for the New Zealand soldiers overseas. The amount of £612 10s, which includes £l2 10s received this week from Paerau (Styx), Central Otago, through Mr Mulholland, will provide 1225 parcels and this will be handed to the Mayor (Mr A. H. Allen). The sum of £270 was handed over some few weeks ago for 600 9s parcels, making a grand total of £BB2 10s for 1825 parcels. India’s Millions

Writing from the Punjab, where he is on the staff of the. Presbyterian mission, Dr A. J. Henderson, of Auckland, states that from 1921 to 1931 there was an increase of 33.000,000 in the population of India. It is estimated that in 1941 the total will exceed 400,000,000, the increase being largely due to the prevention of the former great outbreaks of disease. Whereas 70 years ago the average annual income was about 30s, 10 years ago it was about £B. In the modern city of Bombay one-third of the population of 1,100,000 live in rooms occupied by more than five persons at a time, and a large number of rooms have over 20 persons. Five Brothers Serving Pilot-officer Michael James Herrick, who has been awarded, the Distinguished Flying Cross, is a son of Mr and Mrs E. J. Herrick, Lindisfarne, Pakowhai road, Hastings. Five Herrick brothers are with the Air Force or the Navy. Pilot-officer Herrick, who is 19 years of age, is the youngest son. He spent four years at the Wanganui Collegiate School, and in April last year he joined the Royal Air Force, going to the Cranwell Flying School in England for training. When the war came he was well advanced in his training and eventually went into active service. Lieutenant T. D. Herrick, the second son of Mr and Mrs Herrick, is on active service with the Royal Navy in the Mediterranean. There is another son, Pilot-officer B. H. Herrick, with the Royal Air Force D. T. Herrick is with the Royal New Zealand Air Force, being stationed at Wigram. He has just completed his training and has been given his wings. Sub-lieutenant L. E. Herrick is serving in a submarine in the Royal Navy. Butter and Margarine

Discussing “repeated references to the decline in butter consumption in the United Kingdom, and what will happen to our produce after the war,” Mr W. G. Macartney, chairman of directors of the Tai Tapu Co-operative Dairy Company, Ltd., said at the company’s annual meeting that he had no fear that the price level for butler would not be on a basis that would enable suppliers to produce the article and show a profit, if costs were reasonable. “ I am satisfied that butter has an important part to play as a human foodstuff,” Mr Macartney said. “ and whilst people may be misled by the statement that the public of the United Kingdom is not consuming the eight-ounce ration, it is well to remember the facts. The average per capita consumption of butter in the United Kingdom, which reached its maximum in 1934-35 of 25.21 b, declined to pre-war figures of approximately 241 b per capita. The ration of Boz a week means a per capita consumption of 261 b and it is reasonable to expect that if this figure was not reached in peace, then, with higher costs which obtain for all commodities in war, the spending power alone of the people would result in a reduce per capita consumption of butter. I think suppliers can take comfort from the fact that butter as a food stuff has a value which cannot be replaced by margarine, and I believe that the post-war demand throughout Europe will be so great that there will be plenty of scope for both.”

Railway Works Among the major items on the comprehensive programme of works now being carried out on the main north line by the staff of the district engineer of railways is the easing of the grade on the section a short disstance north of Bushey; The work has now been in progress for some time, and the greater part of the earthwork is completed, but it will be at least three months before the section has consolidated sufficiently to allow traffic to be run over it. Another important improvement is the easing of many of the sharper curves between Dunedin and Oamaru, and while many of these have already been attended to, there are still several to be done. The alteration of the curve near Tumai is now completed, and workmen are at present lifting the old track and relaying the line on the new curve.

Splendid Farming Prospects A well-known and successful Southland farmer who was in Dunedin yesterday told a Daily Times reporter that, in his opinion, Southland was going to have a record retup in lambing and in the wool clip this season. A similar state of affairs, he added, should also be experienced in the province of Otago. Never did the two provinces look better from a farmer’s point of view. The winter had been remarkably mild, and the spring in Southland had been almost perfect for growing conditions. The ewes were in splendid order, and as the Southland farmer put it, there should be a great lambing. The quality of the wool should likewise show a marked improvement on that of last season. Altogether, the farming prospects in both Southland and Otago were really splendid. It may be added that from what can be gathered, the farming prospects right throughout the South Island are most gratifying. Golfer’s Breach of Club Rule

An unwitting breach of the 14-ciub rule earned disqualification for J. C. Mitchell in the Otahuhu Golf Club’s senior championship. Accustomed to having a few spare clubs in his locker, the player placed an extra iron in his bag without realising that he was then carrying 15 clubs. When the facts became known during the round, the committee had no option but to award the match to the offender’s opponent. This is thought to be the first case in New Zealand in which a player has been disqualified in a championship for a breach of this particular rule. It is understood, however, that similar action was taken by another club against a competitor in a minor event last year. The rule, which was introduced by the controlling body, the Royal and Ancient Club, about 15 months ago, reads as follows: —“The clubs used by a player during a round shall not exceed 14 and the clubs carried shall be restricted to that number.” It has also been decided that if a player carries 14 clubs he is not permitted to borrow a club from any other player.

Low Academic Standard " It is advisable to wait to see what the Senate has in mind,” said the president of the Auckland University College Council, Mr W. H. Cocker, at a meeting of the council, when presenting a report by the Education Committee on the standard of attainment of students entering the universities from secondary schools. The report mentioned that the Professorial Board had considered the matter at the council’s request and had replied as follows: —“ The standard of academic attainment of students entering college from the secondary schools is in general low in all departments; the reason for this is the very low standard of the entrance examination and/or the conditions of school preparation. The board would also point out that while the university calendar states that ‘ The entrance examination will represent the reasonable result of four years' training in a secondary school,’ the current practice is for the examination to be taken after three years.” The committee recommended that the matter be deferred for consideration until March, 1941. Frozen Meat Sold by Butchers

Sales of frozen meat are now being made over the counter in Christchurch butchers’ shops to relieve the shortage of fresh mutton brought about by small entries at the Addington market. By arrangement with (he Marketing Department, which released the frozen meat, the Master Butchers' Association has undertaken that its members will clearly indicate that such meat is frozen. With current prices for fresh meat forced to high level by the abnormal winter shortage, a considerable saving is effected by the purchase of frozen mutton. No details of quantities supplied are available, but one authority said that “fair amounts were being retailed.” The mutton is being supplied from the stores of local freezing companies. Early in the season, when butchers asked the Minister of Marketing (Mr W. Nash) if he could give some relief from the winter shortage, he.told them that frozen meat would be made available if necessary. Fresh beef supplies are also restricted at Addington, but this side of the market has been taken care of by shipments of beef on the hoof from the North Island.

A Camp Magazine New Zealand engineers in Egypt, the sth Field Park Company, have issued the first number of a magazine called Tales from Abroad. This has arrived in Christchurch, having been sent by the editor. Lance-corporal J. A. M. Brittenden, to his parents. In the 95 pages of the magazine there are numbers of verses, stories, and articles written by members of the company: there are also several dozen very good line drawings done by the editor. Although some of the contents will be ambiguous to New Zealand, relatives and friends of the writers, many of them will cause a great deal of amusement, as, for instance, the typical letter home, the confession of a censor, the diary, the confirmation of the rumour that Suez smells, and the odd jokes appearing throughout the issue. It is mentioned that the printing was paid for before it was done by the Egyptian engaged: that the company has now found out where the flies go in winter; that the members are most grateful to all who have helped to make their time in Egypt so pleasant; and that the company hopes the magazines will be kept in many homes in New Zealand to be claimed later by the soldiers as souvenirs. Coffee for breakfast. Order from your grocer a tin of “ Bourbon,” the coffee of quality. Instructions in every tin. Prepared by Dunes, Coffee Specialists. 32 Octagon. Dunedin For rings, watches and jewellery, try Peter Dick, jewellers, 59 Princes street, Dunedin.—Advt.