NEWS OF THE DAY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24421, 5 October 1940, Page 10

NEWS OF THE DAY

rrHE heavy toll of dairy herds In South Taranaki due to milk fever is by no means confined to the North Island. Otago herds have been seriously affected by the epidemic, which is causing concern owing to the high mortality rate. A Dunedin veterinary surgeon who has had considerable experience with milk fever both in New Zealand and abroad, states that the high death rate in New Zealand is due to the fact that in a great number of cases the sickness is associated with complications, such as " grass staggering." Much of the trouble, however, is caused by delay in administering treatment. Modern methods can obtain a complete cure, even in complicated cases, provided advice is obtained at the first onset of the sickness. Closing Hours of Shops The chairman of the Labour Bills Committee to which the Shops and Offices Amendment Bill was referred by the House of Representatives, announced yesterday (says a Press Association telegram) that the committee would meet on Wednesday morning at 10.30 to hear evidence. Mounted Rifle Camp Officers and non-commissioned officers of the Otago Mounted Rifles, who have been undergoing a three months' special instructional camp at Burnham. returned to Dunedin yesterday. A full mobilisation of the unit will be held in February of next year, when a further three months' training will be undertaken. Examination of Balloted Territorials Men who have been drawn in the ballet for the Territorial Forces and who have lodged appeals with the Manpower Committee are advised that the fact that appeals have been lodged does not exempt them from attendance at their appointed sittings of the Medical Board. They should proceed to the Dental Schcol for medical examination as instructed and await the consideration of their appeals in the normal course of events. Territorials and the Ballot Seme misapprehension apparently exists concerning the liability of men who have been drafted into the Territorial Forces, or who are at present serving in those forces, to be sent overseas. The position is that when a ballet for units of the overseas force is held, members of the Territorial Forces who are 21 years of age and over will be included. Those territorials who are not 21 years old will be excluded from the ballot. Electric Plant Lost Advice has been received by the Electricity Department of the City Council that a quantity of electrical plant ordered by the department before the outbreak of war has been lost as the result of enemy action. The plant consists of switchgear required at the Ward street sub-station, ccsting £4876, and 35.000 volt circuit breakers for Waipori Falls, costing £4407. As this equipment is urgently required, steps have been taken to re-order it from the manufacturers. " The Head-line News " According to information supplied by a local amateur radio enthusiast, the Daventry news service. "To-day's head-line news " and its accompanying commentary, is still being broadcast each day frcm London in the North American service. Owing to the change-over from Daylight Saving in America and the introduction of the half-hour summertime into New Zealand, the broadcast is not now heard in New Zealand until 1.45 p.m. When Daylight Saving ceases in England during the coming week-end, there will, of course, be another alteration in the news service and it is possible that it may once again be rebroadcast in New Zealand. Record Daffodil Day Despite the fact that the demands made on the public's purse for patriotic purposes are numerous at the present time, Daffodil Day, held yesterday in aid of the funds of the Plunket Society, produced a record collection, no less than £635 being contributed. Badges were on sale at vantage points throughout the city, and beautiful daffodils sent from Christchurch, the Lawrence district, and from various sub-branches of the society were sold and brought in satisfactory sums of money. Not only was the public's response most heartening to the society, but the many complimentary remarks about the service to the community made all those taking part in the day's collecting feel that they were working in a worthy cause and one that was appreciated. Equipping the Forces Arrangements made by the Stores Ccntrol Board, acting in close cooperation with the Department of Industries and Commerce, resulted in production of essential requirements being commenced prior to the outbreak of hostilities, according to the review of the war activities of the board in its anunal report, which was presented in the House of Representatives by its chairman, Mr R. Semple. Stocks were also on hand to equip forces mobilised by the Army and Air Departments. On the outbreak of war production was speeded up to meet war needs, and contracts were arranged for the manufacture of cloth into uniform garments The value of the purchases of reserve stocks of clothing and boot requirements arranged by the board amounted to over £200,000. The Marketing of Lemons The Price Tribunal, replying to an inquiry on the subject made by Messrs Irvine and Stevenson, Ltd., of this city, states that the' marketing of lemons is controlled by the Government through the Internal Marketing Division of the Marketing Department. "Whilst any comparatively recent variation in price experienced by you will," the Tribunal says, " depend entirely on the class of lemons now purchased, your comments as to the generally higher price levels ruling since the disposal cf the 1938 crop are substantially correct in that, on account of the extent of such crop, low and uneconomical returns eventuated for the growers, and it was following this development that the industry took steps to secure the aid of the Government in stabilisation and control." A Band Saves Lives In view of the minor controversy that has been taking place recently in regard to military bands at camp, an extract from a recent issue of the Readers' Digest should be cf interest. It is as follows:—"During the retreat of Mons in the last war, one British regiment, worn out by weeks of constant fighting, collapsed in the square of St. Quentin, too exhausted to care if they were captured. Lieutenantgeneral Sir Tom Bridges knew the advancing German Army was just behind them, yet it seemed impossible to rally men practically unconscious from fatigue. Facing the square was a deserted toy shop. In a few minutes Sir Tom appeared, a toy drum slung about his neck and a shrill penny whistle clamped in his teeth. Playing the 'British Grenadiers' and 'Tipperary * with flourishes, he marched around the squad. Weary heads began to lift inquiringly from the cobblestones. As the soldiers sat up, Sir Tom's trumpeter dealt out the shop's supply of mouth organs. In 10 minutes the regiment, weariness forgotten, was tottling 'Tipperary' for dear life and marching behind Sir Tom's penny whistle to safety."

Contracts with Government Whether contracts with the Government will be adjusted to compensate for the 5 per cent, increase in rates of remuneration recently awarded by the Arbitration Court will be considered by the Government, according to a reply by the Minister of Labour (Mr P. C. Webb) to an inquiry from the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce. The Minister said he would take the first opportunity of discussing the matter with his colleagues. The regulations, however, provided that applications might be made for exemption, and the court might take such provision as it considered just and equitable where special circumstances existed. Injustices Feared The opinion that the closing of the fourth import licensing period on December 31 would give rise to a number of anomalies and injustices was expressed in a report to the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce council by Mr V. C. Mathews (importers' section). In the strict application of the closing date, the report stated, there would be too much of an element of luck whether or not an importer had his goeds shipped in time to reach New Zealand before December 31. From New Zealand's point of view there was also the importance of securing essential commodities with the least possible delay or hindrance due to continuous price increases and the difficulty of obtaining supplies. Accordingly, other main chambers and the Associated Chambers of Commerce had been asked to continue representations on this subject. Subsidised Band Performances A schedule of subsidised band performances for the incoming season has been approved by the Reserves Committee of the City Council. Each band has to render five concerts during the season, three in the Botanic Gardens, one at St. Clair (all these concerts on Sunday afternoons) and one in the Octagon on a Friday evening. Six bands will participate in these concerts, and in addition, the Salvation Army Band will render five concerts divided between the Public Hospital and the Talbcys Home. As the Tramway Band is net active at the present time, the dates usually allotted to this band have been granted to the St. Joseph's Orphanage Band. The subsidy of £350 available has been allotted to the bands as follows:—Kaikorai Band, £75; St. Kilda Band, Artillery Band, Ist Battalion Band, Dunedin Highland Pipe Band and Salvation Army Band, each £SO; St. Joseph's Orphanage Band, £25. Holidays Clause In An Award Mr J. A. Gilmour, industrial magistrate, has delivered his reserved judgment in an action heard by him as the delegate of the Arbitration Court at Reefton on September 18. The inspector of awards at Greymouth (Mr C. B. Rawlins) claimed a £lO penalty from the Blackwater Mines, Ltd.. for an alleged breach of the Blackwater goldminers' award, in that the company employed a miner from February 27, 1939. to February 27, 1940. and failed to make payment for annual holidays. Mr Rawlins claimed that the words "in one year" meant any period of 12 calendar months, but Mr L. E. Morgan, for the company, contended that they meant a calendar year. After reviewing the provisions of the award, the magistrate said it was clear that the whole purpose of the holidays clause was to fix the annual holiday on the basis of a calendar year. Judgment was given accordingly for the defendant company. " Honour " Envelopes The censorship of letters was discussed at a meeting of the executive and finance sub-committee of the Auckland Metropolitan Patriotic Committee, when it was decided to request the Government to issue " honour " envelopes to the next-of-kin of members of the force serving overseas, in order that letters referring to purely private and personal matters might not be censored. The chairman (Mr J. A. C. Allum) said that each member of the forces was entitled to one "honour" envelope each week, and if the declaration was signed the letter might not be censored. It was obvious that there were many matters of an intimate nature which should not be read by any third party. So far as he could ascertain, " honour " envelopes were not censored. "While censorship is essential, surely the mother of a soldier could sent a letter from New Zealand with some endorsement which would cause the censorship authorities to pause," added Mr Allum "The scheme works with letters sent to New Zealand, and I see no reason why it should not apply to letters sent by next-of-kin here." Fire at Waipori The city electrical engineer's report to the City Council on the damage caused by the fire that broke out in the plantation at Waipori Falls on Thursday, September 19. states that approximately 60 acres cf plantation were destroyed, the trees being from two feet to nine feet in height. A number of the trees, however, would come away again and the superintendent of reserves was at present replanting the burned area. An investigation disclosed that the fire was caused by tussock burning operations which had been carried out during the evening and early morning prior to the fire. It would appear, however, that all reasonable precautions were taken and that there was no blame attachable to anyone. The adjoining owner had since given permission to plough a fire-break one chain in width along the boundary and this work had been put in hand. Further protection work, however, was required in other portions of the plantation, and immediate steps were being taken to have these matters attended to. Other suggestions for the proper protection of the area were also being investigated. Ready assistance in dealing with the outbreak was given by Mr Murray, a resident at Waipcri, the soldiers engaged on guard duty and men employed on the tunnel works. This assistance was greatly appreciated by the Electricity Committee. Manchester Unity members aie reminded of the activities for the coming week by an advertisement in this A meeting of members of Scottish organisations of the city will be held on Tuesday afternoon to discuss a proposal for '-he Council of Scottish Societies to take part in the fair to be held next Saturday. The Railways Department advertises in this issue particulars of special trains between Dunedin and Mosgiel to-morrow. Strachan's for wedding rings, signet rings, alarm clocks, watch and jewellery repairs. 197 George street.— Advt. A. F. Anderson, dentist, will visit Middiemarch. Waipiata. Thursday, October 10; Ranfurly, Friday, September 27 and October 11; Oturehua, Monday, October 14.—Advt. Coffee for breakfast. Order from your grocer a tin of " Bourbon," the coffee of quality. Instructions in every tin. Prepared by Durie's, Coffee Specialists. 32 Octagon. Dunedin.— Advt.