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Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 26 April 1917, Page 4

The Vossische Zeitung, of Berlin, informs its readers that one of the motor vans -which was captured on the Yurrowdale might he seen "transporting coal through the streets of Berlin."

A Steamship which was built five years ago at a cost of £BO,OOO, and has already earned her total cost, was recently leased at Boston, Massachusetts, for 12 months, for £2<io,ooo.

"That precious Board of Trade fixed the price of meat in Masterton higher than was asked by the Masterton butchers, and the consumers have to pay it," remarked Mr E. Brown (president) at the Masterton Chamber of Commerce meeting.

Speaking at the Anzac commemoration at the Commercial Travellers' Club the Hon. A. M. Myers, Acting-Minister for Finance, said New Zealand had spent £24,000,000 on the war, which did not include pensions or widows, orphans or disabled men. Besides doing this, the Government was sensible to the requirements of those who returned, and would legislate accordingly.

"No taxpayer will suffer because of furnishing the fullest information fo the Department," said the Commissioner of Taxes at a meeting of farmers held in Masterton. "When we make ! - n assessment vjc make it high enough

; > induce the person to object —it is (hen we got the actual facts." He advised settlers to fix a standard value on their; stock and to stick to it for taxation purposes. "Tho Unscrupulousncss or German Trade Methods" was the subject of an address by Mr M. B. McKay at a meeting of the Empire Trade Defence Association held at Melbourne last week. After the war,, the speaker stated, dumping espionage and the methodical crushing of all indigenous competition, every form of commercial frightfulness would be put into force. All the German factories were at present turning out goods with the aid of prisoners and kidnapped citizens, and plants stolen from conquered countries were being used. Gorman merchantmen filled with merchandise wore waiting to put to sea when peace was declared. On the Ist

January, 1917, the value of accumulated export goods in Germany was £300,000,000. The answer to all this effort seemed to be the establishment between the Allies of a trading entente, based on reciprocal concessions, and a scheme of mutual defence against the common peril. Customs legislation providing for a stiff super-tax on enemy goods, and enforced by the strongest administration,, would be essential. There must be no half measures.

The whole carcases ,of two fine bul- i locks were among the "loot" found in ' an underground German dug-out on the Somme. The inconvenience causeC by no dyes being imported into New Zealand since ' the outbreak of the war, is said to have been remedied by a Manawatu resident. He claims to have found a weed which grows abundantly to produce ineradicable dye.

A Havas correspondent explained that the capture of such a number of guns by the British on the west front "during the recent offensive, is due to the Germans having removed their horses, owing to :the intensity of the bombardment. When they desired to remove the guns, they were unable to bring up the horses owing to the barrage.

The rabbit pest has /become a very serious one in South Canterbury, rabbits being now more plentiful there than ever they have been before. Some people, however, says a Timaru paper, are turning them to good account, in that they are making a living by trapping and shooting, the skins or the rabbits unskinneC, fetching a

; good price. \ Mr. J. C. Watson, one of the straight

est and most widely respected men who have been in the van of Labour, declines to recognise "the new brand of demoncraey.'' Those who know Mr. Watson best, are aware how deeply wounded he has been by the foaming and irreconcilable attitude and actions of the leagues. "I am almost inclined," he told a Sydney friend recently, "to say that the democracy has failed."

In reply to a question at a meeting of farmers in Mastcrton, the Commissioner of Taxes stated that the expenses connected with the running and upkeep of a motor-car used exclusively in conjunction with a farm were allowed in making returns for the excess profits tax

Mr Clark held that motor-cars were essential to convey farmers to and from their markets. '' Of course,'' said the Commissioner, "if a farmer takes a pleasure trip in his car to Botorua or elsewhere, such expenses cannot be allowed. ''

New regulations as to the sale and purchase of sheepskins, hides, and calfskins otherwise than by or to the Government are contained in a "Ga-

zette Extraordinary/' published on Tuesday. It is provided that no jperson shall sell sheepskins, hides or calfskins except to the Government. Permit may be granted to tanners to buy hides which may be under offer of sale to the Government, if they are required for the carrying on of the business of the applicant.

The beauty prtee awarded by Pearson's papers, London, for the bestlooking of the soldiers and sailors now serving with the forces, has been won by Leslie Hansen, a 22-year-old Australian, w-ho joined the Australian Navy about five years ago. He is a clever, all-round young fellow, with considerable ability, and above all with the ability to protect his good looks, by capability to use a pair of good hands in the best approved manner of the prize ring. As an amateur boxer he assumed the name of Young Grift'o, and came out of a number of lightweight contests with the spoils

of the victor. He is a good swimmer and one of the football team of H.M.A S. Australia. Hansen was born in Bendigo (Victoria), but his parents are now living at Richmond.

The wearing of military overcoats by aoldiers or ex-soldiers when in mufti is

an offence under the Defence Act, and the authorities have decided to enforce the regulations in this respect. Discharged soldiers, members of the territorial force, and senior cadets are informed in General Orders that their military overcoats must not be worn without uniform. The military and civil police are being instructed to take proceedings against offenders. The removal of the military buttons does not alter the position. Discharged members of the expeditionary force are allowed to retain their unifolrmsi, including the overcoats, but they must not wear them except under military orders. Same of the men expressed a wish to have the overcoats dyed, so as to make them available for general use, but this is not permissible.

'An Auckland paper says: — Several society women have clubbed together to contribute to the support and upkeep of "twelve war babies." They not only intend feeding and clothing the little mites whose fathers have fallen while fighting for the Empire, but they will pay or their schooling, clothing, and doctoring until they are 21 years of age. Then they will give them a start in life, in whatever they show a particular likhig for. The babies will be girls, and e id; woman will, if possible, take a child that bears her own christian name. These war babies will not be taken from their mothers, but they will be entirely freed from the worry of everything, so that the mother will feel assured that her child has a foster mother who sees that she has absolute comfort, if not luxury, until she is 21. The loss of the father will not be felt as much as if the child was in straitened circumstances.

We learn that the nett proceeds of') the Eangataua Axemen's Carnival on Easter Monday will be in the vicinity of £3O.

It is reported that Prince Eitel Frederich, the Kaiser's second son, who -held a subsidiary command on the western front, has died of typhus. Mr. A. C. Nathap, solicitor, who is going into camp on Monday, has a good sale and typewriter, also his office furniture for sale.

A cable message received to-day from Sydney states that Carlita has finished her racing and goes to the gtud. She has won during her racing career £IB,OOO in stakes.

The British Government has notified Germany that it is embarking German prisoners on hospital ships.

Mr. Bonar Law's second son, a lieutenant in the Scottish B'orderers, is reported as wounded and massing in Palestine.

Considerable interest was taken at the Ohakune Council elections yesterday in the referendum on the question of allowing pictures to be shown on Sunday, the proposal in favour of Sunday pictures being carried by a majority of 67.

Reuter's correspondent at Amsterdam states that Berlin publishes an authoritative statement that a German airman on April 5 brought down Flight-Lieutenant TT. |L. Robinson, V.C., who last September bagged a Zeppelin at Cuftley.

As an evidence of t»he congestion in the sawmilling industry caused by the disorganisation of the Railway service, there ar e at the present time 4S trucks of timber standing at the Eangataua railway station. It is not known when they will be sent on to their destination. Unless some arrangement is made very shortly with the Railway. Department very shortly,, the inconvenience will become very acute.

It seems to me (says a Dunedin this country sadly needs a Soddon in a more modern setting: a man of active, grappling brain —a democratic dynamo, if you will —who underotands the word ''prevision"; one who could gather all sections of democracy, pierce their weaknesses and fetishes, and unify and harmonise them. Such a policy is quite possible and practical, and the only question arising is: Can a man be found to do this.

It is interesting to note that in spite of the high prices ruling, Collinson and Gilford are offering a special line of Ladies' -heavy "Tweed Coats at bargain prices. See window display.— Advt.