GENERAL NEWS.

Shannon News, 1 November 1921, Page 4

GENERAL NEWS.

In the House of Representatives, the Leader of the Opposition (Mr T. M. Wilford) questioned the Prime lviimster in regard to tne price oi mutton in England, quoting statements to the ehect. that New Zealand inuj-ton sqld wholesale in London at 6d a "-pound anu was retailed at is 6d a pound: 'ihe ' retailers, however, claimed that they were making a profit of 2d a pound only. Who, then, asked Air Wilford, was getting the lOd? The Prime iVlimster, in reply, said that he wished to remind the House of the statement he hau made the day before as to the prices of New Zealand meat in London. The figures he had quoted were official, and did not bear out the statements cited in the question that our mutton was being sold wholesale at 6d and retailed at Is 6d. “Cakes at half-price” was the magnetic announcement that drew a crowd of expectant and more or less excited women and children to a shop at Cargill’s Corner, Dunedin (says the Dunedin Star). The rush was so great that the impatient customers had to be let in in batches; the door being closed while, these were served. The waiting ones, however, fearful lest the bargains should be gone before they had their chance, brought pressure to bear on the door, with the result that the glass gave way. Confusion reigned supreme for a time, and the police, had to come to the rescue. Considerable amusement was afforded a crowd of onlookers at the back of the premises by the mode of exit which had to be adopted by the customers. As each one completed her purchase she went through the shop, into the yard, and climbed —carrying her precious parcel of half-price cake—overT the back fence by means of ladders. On the resumption of the bargain sale next day the police- were early in evidence, and the proceedings were of a more orderly nature. ■ > ■ The Palmerston Hospital Board recently , decided to establish a department at the hospital where expectant mothers could receive free medical advice. The enme will be open every Thursday at hours that are advertised. On the first day that the service was available there were no Visitors. Commenting on the fact-, a Palmerston doctor said he was not at ail surprised that no one sought advice, nor would be be surprised if the public did not avail themselves of the establishment at aIL He knew from experience in private practice that it was a difficult matter to get people to come for advice in ante-natal matters. “They are shot alive to the dangers of neglect. You generally find that they allow themselves to drift on till the last moment.' Then they are very often .. brought! lor treatment while in a most dangerous condition—-a condition which might have been prevented had. they taken advice some months previously.” The doctor thought, that the only way to induce the public to avail themselves of the, benefits of the clinic was to let them know of the very grave dangers which were likely to follow the neglect in seeking advice at the proper time.