TOPICS OF THE TIMES

Southland Times, Issue 21088, 21 May 1930, Page 4

TOPICS OF THE TIMES

Not for the first time in the history of Australian Federal politics, the Tasmanians are publicly regretting their decision to cast in their lot with the Commonwealth (states The Dominion). As a result of a suggestion by the Federal Statistician that Tasmania is unable to support herself, and should therefore be tacked on to Victoria, both Government and citizens in that indignant island are seriously contemplating secession from the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth Act of Constitution was not enacted without considerable opposition both in the Australian States and in Tasmania. This section of opinion had ample opportunity for criticism during the difficult years in which the authority of the Federal Government was being developed from principles to practice, and the States were adjusting themselves to the new situation. Not infrequently during this period, the voice of a disgruntled State was heard to express regret that it had joined the Commonwealth. Western Australia did so on at least one occasion, while Tasmania has done so more than once before to-day. The trouble has usually arisen through some conflict of local interests with Federal laws, such as those instanced by the Tasmanian Premier to-day. The question for the Tasmanians to consider is whether the surgical operation they are now discussing would not leave them so weak that recovery might be impossible.

Before the members of the United Party have had time to consider the situation in which they are placed by the resignation of their leader, the idea of a fusion of their party with the Reform Party has been advanced as a solution of their embarrassment, and, apparently, as essential to the national welfare (says the New Zealand Herald). This proposal has been frequently revived, but the arguments by which it is accompanied are not established merely by repetition. Its advocates ignore entirely the actual relations between the parties, relations which have been manifest throughout the brief Parliamentary career of the United Party. To any impartial observation, the parties which have been drawn together by mutual sympathy are the United and the Labour Parties. Both have expressed unqualified hostility toward the Reform Party; the Government has relied upon the Labour Party for support in both debates and divisions; the Labour Party alone has sacrificed its former convictions *to maintain the United Party in office. Sir Joseph Ward’s influence has been great, but is it seriously suggested that he alone was responsible for this association, that he alone embittered the attitude of his followers toward the Reform Party, and that his withdrawal will be welcomed by the other 24 members as enabling them

to escape from an irksome and uncongenial environment and to seek a different alliance sanctioned by their own sentiments? By that means, it is argued, a Government could be established with the support of a majority in the House. Yet that position already exists, for the United Party has had countless assurances of unconditional support by the Labour Party. If the object is to remove the Government from the influence of the Labour Party, which is naturally presumed to exact some return for its allegiance, what reason is there for regarding the United Party as the instrument of ? It deliberately spurned the offer of co-operation made by the Reform Party immediately after it assumed office and as deliberately invited and accepted the assistance of the Labour Party.

The Dominion Meteorologist last night issued the following information: A series of slight low pressure waves continues to cross the southern portion of the Dominion. An anticyclone still covers southeastern Australia. Pressure has fallen to the east of New Zealand. Moderate to strong winds, between south and west. Seas in New Zealand waters rough south of Cape Egmont and' offshore south of Castle Point. Elsewhere moderate. West ,to south winds in the eastern Tasman Sea. Moderate in the northern portion with moderate seas. Strong in the southern portion with rough seas. Weather cool and changeable with scattered showers, more especially in western and southern districts.

Advertisements relating to Public Notices, For Sale, To Let, Lost and Found, Wanted To Buy, etc., appear on Page 2.

Before Mr E. C. Levvey, S.M., in the Police Court yesterday morning, a first offender for drunkenness was convicted and fined £l.

Claude James Regan, a jockey, was sentenced by Mr Justice Smith to seven years’ hard labour for rape on a girl aged 15 at Hamilton, says an Auckland Press Association message.

At a meeting of the committee of the Manufacturers’ .Association at Dunedin, last night, a resolution in favour of a continuation of compulsory military training was carried unanimously.—Press Association message.

The Works Committee reported io the City Council last evening that it had received a request from Messrs Watts & Watts, Christchurch, for permission to sell football mascots and colours on the streets of Invercargill on the occasion of the visit of the English Rugby team. The committee recommended that permission be declined and that the application be brought under the notice of the Southland Rugby Football Union. This was agreed to by the council.

The city inspector reported to the council last evening that recently a complaint had been received regarding the alleged hawking in the city of meat which had not been killed in the city abattoirs. Under certain conditions this might be permitted, but only when the meat was killed on registered premises under proper inspection; and furthermore only after abattoir fees had been paid to the city no matter where the meat was killed. The allegation was being closely inquired into.

Owing to the heavy rains during October, November, and December, and the dryness of the season that has followed, vegetables have been, and still arc, unusually plentiful in Auckland. As evidence of what such unseasonal conditions will produce in the size of pumpkins, a Devonport resident is displaying in his shop window three enormous pumpkins, weighing 391 b, 591 b, and 601 b. The largest is two feet in diameter. These pumpkins are not, as might be supposed, the result of heavy manuring or careful cultivation; they were self-sown, and unassisted. They were grown in the backyard of a Stanley Bay resident, Mr Wyatt.

The All Nations’ Fair continues its successful run at the Victoria Hall, good business being the report of all concerned. The Copper Top Minstrels made their second appearance last evening and provided a programme of tuneful ditties, including a number of local hits. Professor Blanc gave good value to his numerous clients. This evening Miss Rene Ward’s pupils will give an exhibition of fancy dancing and the pupils of the Marist Brothers’ School will proride a bright entertainment. The winners of competitions were as follows: Mrs S. Lawrence, supper cloth; Mrs R. Walker, pair of fowls; Mr R. Baird, smoker’s set; W. H. Bade, fruit bowl; T. Hogan, cheese; Mrs Stapleton, case of silver spoons; Kathleen Moffat, doll and cot; Cyril Pasco, bicycle lamp; Dorothy Laffey, brown elephant; Mrs J. O’Shannassy, necklace.

The attention of Masonic brethren is drawn to an advertisement regarding postponement of Lodge Southern Dance.—Advt.

Be wise and shop here for warm Rompers; a good selection in Flannel, Winceyette and Velveteen and the prices arc right. —Miss Noble’s, The Baby Shop, Dee Street. -—Advt.

“The quality of Thomson’s Cordials never varies. They are always the best procurable.”—Advt.

Plain Colour Cosy Flannelettes, ideal for Nightdresses, 1/- yard, in shapes of Salmon, Pink, Mauve, Blue and Cream. Wicks’ Hose and Vest Shop, Dec street.

We all know the advantages of a youthful appearance. Your hair is one of Nature's chief charms. It makes or mars the face. If there are signs of grey hair use Price’s Albanian Hair Restorer, and you will be delighted with the result. Post free for 3/- from T. J. Price, Chemist, Riverton. —Advt.,

We have pleasure in advising our numerous customers that we have opened another shipment of Cream Embroidery Linen. This “Old Bleach” product is very much in demand, and is specially manufactured for drawn thread work. Thomson and Beattie Ltd., can supply this popular linen in 36 inch at 4/6, 40 inch at 5/6, 45 inch at 6/9. Samples gladly forwarded to any address.—Advt.

,Silk , and Wool Hose 3/11 per pair. This surely will appeal to the keenest buyers, English ladder-proof, hard-wearing hose that are outstanding value at the price 3/11 only at the Mutual Fur Coy., Tay street.— (Advt.)

Special Values offering in Children’s Books. Bruin Boys’ Annual 5/- now 3/11. Mrs Hippos’ Annual 5/- now 3/11. Rainbow Annual 5/- now 3/11. Bo Peep Bumper Annual 5/- now. 3/11. Bubbles’ Annual 5/- now 3/11. Chicks’ Own Annual 5/- now 3/11—Hyndman’s Dee Street. —Advt.

“It mends the gross mistakes of Nature.” —Butler.

Everyone agrees that one of Nature’s biggest mistakes is a distressing eough or cold. But the secret of mending all complaints of the throat, chest and lungs lies in the penetrating qualities of Baxter’s Lung Preserver. This wonderful specific gets to work quickly. Soothes the bronchial passages and eases breathing. Protects the lungs. An excellent tonic, too.

Be sure you get “Baxter’s.” Bachelor size 1/6. Generous-sized bottle 2/6. Economical family size 4/6.—Advt.

In future the curator of reserves (Mr J. A. McPherson) will be known as the superintendent of reserves.

Further donations to the Obstetrics] Fund include: Gore Borough Council £5 5/-; Dr. McCaw £1; collected in Gore £1 1/-.

In acknowledging receipt of £1 from Dr. R. H. Hogg, the organizer for Poppy Day wishes to thank also the anonymous donor who sent a similar sum through the post yesterday in aid of the fund.

The Union Company's intercolonial steamer Maheno arrived at Dunedin yesterday morning from Melbourne, via Bluff. The vessel has completed her last trip in the meantime, as after her cargo has been discharged, she will undergo annual survey and overhaul at Port Chalmers. The Maheno will resume on June 14, when she will leave Port Chalmers for Melbourne, via Bluff, thereby taking up her ordinary time table. In future the Maheno’s departure from Bluff for Melbourne will not occur until after the arrival of the train from Invercargill, with which the Christ-church-Invercargill express on Mondays will connect. At the monthly meeting of the main committee of the Southland War Funds Association, the secretary presented a statement of the financial position to date, which showed: Investments, £29,000; outstanding advances, £3,533 7/9; receipts since March 31, refunds, £126 8/3; unexpended grant, £8; interest, £lO9 18/6; total, £244 6/9. Expenditure for the same period: Relief grant, £251 5/5; advances, £3OB 17/3; stationary, etc., £l5 4/3; rent, £lO 16/8; general expenses, £42 16/10; total, £630 0/5. Excess of expenditure over receipts, £385 13/S. The current account was in debit £56 1/10. The statement was received. The Library Committee reported to the City Council that it had found the location of the juvenile library in the Y.M.C.A. building too far removed from the main library and that the number of subscribers had decreased as a consequence. The committee had called for and received offers to lease premises for the juvenile library and had authorized the librarian to arrange for a lease of a room on the first floor of the A.C.M. building provided the room is satisfactory for the purpose and a suitable lease could be arranged. After a brief discussion, in which more suitable premises were suggested by councillors, the clause was referred back to the committee. New Electric Light Frames, New Fringes, Gold and Silver Tassels, ail sizes; Gold and Silver' Braids and Fringes; Lamp Shades made to order. For Novelties shop at Chas. Lewis’s. (Advt!) ITS WINTER-TIME! Get Your HOT WATER BAGS now, from STEWART’S PHARMACY. All Bags are fresh, And Every Bag Guaranteed. —Advt. “Sally In Rhodesia,” that entertaining tale of South /African experiences has been followed by another volume along similar lines entitled "Susan Outside.” Susan’s experiences afford delightful reading; she is an engaging personality. Let us introduce her. to you. The author is Sheila MacDonald and the price is 6/-. Obtainable from the New Zealand Book. Depot, Esk street, Invercargill. (Advt.) BUY ONLY A 1930 Hot Water Bottle. Modern manufacturing processes have greatly increased the quality in Hot Water Bags without any increase in price. BROWN, The Chemist has just received another large supply of 1930 bags. They are easy and safe to fill, reinforced seam, improved valve. Guaranteed steamproof, the modern Free of Risk Bag takes the shivers from the sheets and makes you sorry to leave them. See them at BROWN’S PHARMACY, Geo. H. Brown, Chemist, 125 Dee Street.—Advt.