In the News

Southland Times, Issue 24819, 11 August 1942, Page 4

In the News

Southlander in Lead

A photograph in a recent issue of The N.Z.E.F. Tinies shows men of the New Zealand detachment which took part in a parade of British and Imperial troops held in Cairo on May 31, to mark Empire Day. The New Zealanders are headed by Lieutenant Farquhar McKercher, of Lochiel. 111-Informed Criticism

“There has been some criticism from the troops about the administration of the National Patriotic Fund, but I think a lot of this criticism has come from men who do not know the true facts of the case,” said Lieutenant-Colonel A. A. Tennent at a meeting of the executive of the Southland Provincial Patriotic Council yesterday. LieutenantColonel Tennent returned to New Zealand recently with a number of men repatriated after being prisoners of war in Italy. “Personally,” he added, I feel that the Patriotic Fund is doing a great job of work. The soldier, however, is inclined to take things for granted and does not stop to thihk that the Patriotic Fund provides him with recreation huts, sports material, cinemas, concerts, comforts on the troop ships besides Christmas parcels and other parcels.”

Heritage Movement The Heritage Movement, which seeks to provide for the sons of soldiers killed overseas, was placed on a sound basis in Wellington last night, when an enthusiastic meeting unanimously approved a motion forming an incorporated society and elected officers. Hopes were expressed that the movement, by spreading to Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin and other centres, would ultimately take the form of a Dominion organization. PA.. Rates Coming in Freely Rate payments for the year 1942-43 are coming in freely to the City Council office. Up to yesterday afternoon the total amount collected since the beginnihg of the month was £8427/5/-. During the corresponding period last year the amount collected was £4997 9/8. Ratepayers who wish to have the advantage of the statutory discount of 21 per cent, must pay their rates by I August 31. Juries and Man-power

Evidence of the manner in which the administration of justice is likely to be affected by the shortage of man-power was provided by Mr A. E. Reynolds, registrar of the Supreme Court, Hamilton, in an address to the Hamilton Rotary Club. He said that, before one recent session of the Supreme Court, he summoned 75 jurors, and only 45 were available. At a subsequent session, 76 were summoned, and only 36 responded. Most of those who did not appear had been called for the Army. Mr Reynolds said that in future he would have to summon a larger number of men.

Skirts or Trousers? The view that the young women now bn duty as conductors in the Auckland tramcars would look much better in trousers was urged upon the Auckland Transport Board by one of its members, Mrs M. M. Dreaver. She said that trousers would be much better for the girls than skirts in the cold weather, and asked if the matter had been given serious consideration. The traffic superintendent, Mr H. H. Morgan, said the question had been carefully considered by the engineer-manager, Mr A. E. Ford, and he had decided in favour of skirts as being more ladylike. “If that is the only reason then the change should be made,” said Mrs Dreaver. “Trousers are more workmanlike anyhow.” It was agreed to obtain a report on the subject from the engineer-man-ager. The Mechanical Mind

“There is a big difference between the young man of today and the old farmer,” said an appellant before the Armed Forces Appeal Board in Christchurch, when asking for exemption from service for a tractor mechanic. “The young man of today. is more mechanically minded, and in his absence there is a greater need for outside assistance in repairing farm implements,” continued the appellant lhe older farmer has left most of the tractor work to the mechanically-minded younger fellow, but he retains a greater knowledge of horses and their management.” £3500 Services Club

The erection of the new All Services Club in Garden Place, Hamilton, has been started. The work is being earned out to the order of the Hamilton Patriotic Committee by Waikato Associated Builders. Of one story, the budding occupies a space 109 ft by 60Jft, and will contain a dining room, lounge, dormitory, kitchen, and other faculties for the entertainment of servicemen. The cost is estimated at £3500.