TOPICS OF THE TIMES

Southland Times, Issue 21101, 5 June 1930, Page 4

TOPICS OF THE TIMES

If the Prime Minister ever hoped to have help from Labour in correcting the financial position, Mr Holland has given him clear warning that he will be disappointed (says the Wellington Post). Labour denies that economy is necessary and criticizes the Finance Minister’s proposals for reducing expenditure. This is not surprising. The Labour Party has always been a party in favour of free spending and high taxation. To be sure, it has objected to some tax increases, and has received others with doubt, but it has always asserted that greater burdens could be imposed on the wealthy without showing how such levies could be made without affecting all classes of the community. Now Mr Holland sees in Mr Forbes’s statement concerning finance an opportunity to stir up dissatisfaction and rally to his party all those persons who may be affected by economy measures. His denial of the necessity for economy will carry no weight, for that need is apparent to the most casual observer. If we are not to find ourselves as embarrassed as our Australian neighbour (governed by Labour), we must begin to put our house in order now. Statistics based on averages (such as Mr Holland quotes) will not make good the very real drop that is certain in Customs duties and income tax. Two years, such as Mr Holland cites, of high level export values produced only a deficit and a small surplus.' We must now Budget for an ‘‘average’’ year and reduce expenditure to that average. The high-production years have not furnished us with a reserve.

Legislation to raise the school leaving age from 14 to 15 years, introduced by the Labour Party, is now before the British House of Commons (the N.Z. Herald states). It is the fulfilment of an election pledge, for the undertaking to do it was very definite during the last campaign. The President of the Board of Education, explaining the measure, claimed that a year’s delay in reaching the labour market by 400,000 children would reduce unemployment substantially. This was described as merely incidental to the extension. In the election campaign, this feature was much more heavily emphasised, but the implication that the raising of the age is an end in itself is consistent with the party’s established policy. The full aim is to have the age increased to 16 years, and to provide maintenance allowances as compensation to the parents for the extra two years during which the child will be earning nothing. As explained to the House of Commons, the total cost at present will be £5,500,000, and the Saving in unemployment relief £3,000,000. This does not permit a true estimate of the financial results. The £3,000,000 of reduced benefit is naturally intended, to represent annual saving. Whether the £5.500,000 simply covers the capital expenditure involved in providing increased accommodation, or whether it also includes the cost of the increased staffs as well is not stated. As a matter of fact the problem is not so simple as the cable message implies. Complaints of large classes, crowded buildings and an inadequate supply of trained teachers have long been heard. The Labour Party itself advocates smaller classes, better equipment and more teachers. If these reforms are to be made, if the maintenance allowances are to be provided—and it is reasonably suggested many parents will bitterly resent the extension of the age otherwise—the scheme set on foot by the new Education Bill is a very much greater one than the Minister s speech of explanation suggests.

The average estimated attendance at tho newsroom at the Timaru Municipal Library last month was 5752 persons. During the month the total number of volumes issued from the library was 12,560, of which 1500 volumes were juvenile issues. Fines, sales, and subscriptions amounted to £l6 8/2.

The acute shortage of hen eggs has resulted in' a further increase in the retail price, which reached 3/4 a dozen in Auckland oh Thursday. Although the wholesale demand is in excess of the supply, the retail salqs have considerably decreased. Duck eggs, which are fairly plentiful, continue to sell at about 2/10 a dozen.

The Dominion Meteorologist last night issued the following information: An anticyclone is passing cast of the South Island, but has lost intensity. A moderate cyclone is still centred in the northern Tasman Sea. Winds variable from Canterbury southwards, elsewhere moderate to strong south-easterly to easterly and later in places north-east, reaching gale force at. places in the far north. Seas rough north of East Cape and about Cook Strait. Moderate elsewhere. Moderate to strong east to north winds in the eastern Tasman Sea, later backing to southerly. Seas rather rough in tho northern portion and moderate in the southern portion. Weather unsettled and showery north of Auckland, and in parts of the East Cape and Gisborne districts and extending gradually southwards. Elsewhere fair for the most part. Temperatures somewhat milder.

The Lyttelton Harbour Board has voted £lOO for the relief of unemployment.—Press Association message.

The revenue collected in the New Plymouth postal district for the quarter ended March 31 totalled 42,478, compared with 42,728 for the corresponding period last year. The Savings Bank deposits totalled £317,253 and the withdrawals £309,326, compared with £308,174 and £228,097 last year.

In the account of the opening of “Fair Haven” the City Mission Home of Sister Alice and New Zealand headquarters of the London West Ham Mission, the correction is needed that the dedicatory prayer was offered by the Rev. F. Sampson and the words of dedication were given by Mrs H. Simson, the wife of the chairman of the meeting.

To cost in the vicinity of £25,000, the new bridge to span the Manawatu river on the Woodville side of the Gorge, is expected to be completed in about 15 months, if the river conditions remain favourable. The new bridge will be a ferro-concrete structure of five spans, each of 80ft. The present bridge has one span. The deck level will be the same as at present,’but a slight deviation will be made in the road to allow of the new structure' being built on the eastern side of the present bridge. The new bridge will be over 400 ft long and 20ft wide, which will give sufficient room for cars to pass.

Daylight saving was discussed at a conference of the Farmers’ Union last week in Wanganui. The subject was raised by a representative of a Wairarapa branch who said: “That one-half hour of daylight saving be made effective all the year round.” The mover, Mr A. Ross, said that it was a safe prediction that there would be a move next session of Parliament to get the full hour. The members of the union knew the fight that had been put up against the measure when it was first introduced, and the compromise which had been made to get the half-hour. The discussion which followed indicated that the union members were not averse to the half-hour in summer, but were strongly opposed to enforcing it the whole year round. The remit was lost.

There is not much to be said for a duck’s life these mornings (reports a Christchurch exchange). When the lawns have a covering of white the average citizen could not enthuse over the prospect of looking for his breakfast in the Avon. And yet some ducks are lucky. There is a numerous family that makas it its business to be on the bank in Oxford terrace, not a couple of chains from the Manchester street bridge, about 8 o’clock every morning. Breakfast is then served by a kindly citizen, on whose discrimination in the matter of food, and on whose punctuality the birds can absolutely rely. He calls them as though making a similar welcome announcement to the domestic cat, and they come in a waddling haste that, even considering tho cause, is not undignified.

The fortnightly meeting of the United Ancient Order of Druids’ Acorn Lodge was held last evening. A.D. Bro. J. G. Anderson presided over a large attendance of members and visitors. Three new members were initiated into the mysteries of the Order, and two more were nominated to come up next lodge night. The balancesheet submitted for the past six months showed a very satisfactory state of affairs. The membership now stands at 454, the highest on record. The amount of sick pay paid out was £258 16/8,. maternity benefits amounted to £36, the management fund was £6OO 19/1, and the consolidated fund £126,920 14/7. D.P. Bro. B. Brown was received officially and installed the following officers for the ensuing six months: J.P.A., Bro. J. G. Anderson; A.D., Bro. R. W. Anderson; V.A., Bro. Craig; secretary, Bro., Barham; treasurer, Bro. Low; P.G., Bro. Blomfield; C.G., Bro. Stewart; A.D.8., Bros. McDermott and Harris; V.A.8., Bros. Crofts and Neil; M. secretary, Bro. Gregg; M.C., Bro. Donaldson; organist, Bro. Sherborne; auditor, Bros. Gregg and Sherborne. Roll up to the Grand Corner stocktaking sale. The reductions offer you a splendid chance for purchasing at low prices. Heavy stocks make a speedy clearance necessary. Shop at Charles Lewis’s.—Advt. “It has age, flavour, quality, and the value is beyond question “DEWAR’S WHISKY.”—Advt. Cashmere hose that are seamed wear better. We have them all colours at 2/11, 3/11 and 5/11. Wicks’ Hose and Vest Shop, Dee street. —Advt. A book that appears to be in increasing demand for wedding gifts is The Red Recipe Book. It is a handy volume for supplementary recipes divided into sections for Pastry, Sweets, Puddings, etc. There is also a section devoted to Dress Notes. . Altogether a most useful volume. In two bindings, Cloth 5/6, and Leather 7/6. Sold by the N.Z. BOOK DEPOT, Esk street, Invercargill.— (Advt.) My wife she met me at the door Hot poker in her hand, She said she’d brand me fore and aft If I hadn’t Hitchon’s ham.—Advt. During the Sale of Silks at the Exhibition customers who buy 3 yards of silk get a Welcome Dressmaking Aid free, can you get anything to assist you in frockmaking without paying for it, but the firm of Thomson and Beattie’s, Ltd., give you Free a Butterick Paper Pattern complete with a Deltor, which shows you very clearly how to lay out, cut, put together, fit and finish your garment in real dressmaker style. /Attend this sensational Silk Sale to-day and select your pattern from our range of over 3,000 styles.—(Advt.) • There is not the slightest doubt that Musquash is the most serviceable, hardwearing and good-looking Coat that can be bought to-day at a price that has. never before been offered to the ladies of New Zealand. Just imagine a beautiful northern Musquash Coat, full length, guaranteed for five years against any flaws whatever, for £45, made to your size, with fit and workmanship of the best. Procurable only at THE MUTUAL FUR CO., Tay street.— Advt. . . Hyndman’s Annual Sale . . . ■_ ,•. . . .Is Now On. ...... . . . Winter time is reading time! . . . . .' . Take home a parcel to-day ; . . .... All Book Prices Reduced .... . Fiction and General Literature . . . Children’s Books Our Special 1/- stand" daily replenished with Book Bargains.—Advt. IT’S WINTER-TIME! Get Your HOT WATER BAGS now, from STEWART’S PHARMACY. . All Bags are fresh, And Every Bag Guaranteed. —Advt.

Yesterday afternoon the City Fife Brigade received a call to the corner of Nith and Earn streets. The blaze turned out to be rubbish burning under a house and the services of the brigade were not required. A request that the New Zealand Farmers' Union assist in securing an embargo or tariff on imported walnuts was received at a recent meeting of the Canterbury District Executive, it being alleged that the imported nuts were spoiling the market for the New Zealand product. The matter is to be investigated. Mr Frank Milner related to the Wellington Rotary Club the other day an experience he had with a Scotsman when attending a conference in Vancouver. They were occupying a room opposite the town clock, which had an illuminated dial, and on going to bed the Scotsman stopped his watch to save wear and tear during the night! Ladies’ nightdresses in Winceyette 5/11 to 7/6 with long sleeves and buttoned fronts 7/11 and 9/11. Flannelette nightdresses 0.5., L.S. 10/6 at Miss Noble’s, The Baby Shop, Dee street.—Advt. YOUTH-O-FORM Tablets recommended for reducing surplus fat and for Uric Acid, Rheumatism, Indigestion, Constipation and to purify and improve the circulation of the blood. Harmless, pleasant, effective, and easy to take. Permanently reduces weight to normal leaving no wrinkles or sagging flesh. 7/6 per packet, BROWN’S PHARMACY, 125 Dee street.—Advt. , bliss bestow.”—Gray. Where coughs and colds are concerned, however, the relief is prompt and lasting when Baxter’s Lung Preserver is taken. Try a bottle this .winter! Soothes and relieves immediately. Tones up the system against further trouble. “Baxter’s” is known throughout the Dominion as the most reliable remedy for coughs, colds, sore throats, influenza and all such throat and lung ailments. Now fitted with a special screw cap which preserves the contents.' AU chemists and stores. Generous-sized bottle, 2/6; econqmical, family size, 4/6; bachelor’s size, 1/6.—Advt.