LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3649, 9 December 1920, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

France levies a duty of 45 per cent, on automobiles imported from America. Comparatively few people own their own houses in America. The latest figures show' that of fifty cities having a population of .100,000 or over, thirty-nine have 60 per cent, of their citizens renting houses.

A woman at Willesden: She swore at mo, and I own I. called her a Sinn Fcinor. The Magistrate: Is she one? The woman: I don’t know that, but I don’t swear myself, so I have to say something to protect myself. ,

During the 9/ bonus case at Wellington, Mr M. J. Reardon dropped a remark that this might be his last appearance in the Court. Some time .later Mr W. Pryor, employers’ representative, said he regretted to have heard this, as he had always found Mr Reardon a clean, straight fighter, worthy of his steel.

Mr Massey states that some of the best officers "of the Customs Department will be engaged from now till next session on tariff revision. The tariff he wants to see agreed to is an extension of Imperial preference, as he thinks it is time this recognition of the bond of Empire was made. He is prepared for reciprocity wiith Australia.

Stephen Harris, who has been an inmate of the Wanganui Hospital for the fast fivcT weeks, was brought before the Court on Tuesday morning and charged with attempting to commit suicide on October 31st, and also on the same date with alleged attempted murder of Lucie Harris. On the application of the police, a remand was grariated.

The rcarraangemcht of the timetable for express (trains between Auckland and Wellington, of which mention was made during last session of Parliament, stands in abeyance at the present time. The Prime Minister stated at Auckland (says the Herald) that there was not much probability of anything in that direction being done until after the holidays. The chances were in favour of a “limited*' express train, tried as an experiment last year, being inaugurated. This would mean that a strict limit would be placed upon the weight of the train, and the number of carriages and of passengers. It would include' no sleeping carriages. The time for the journey would be considerably decreased by this means and by the elimination of a number of stops.

A reminder is given of .the public meeting called for to-night to organ- s isc a fitting farewell to Mr Jas. Thurs- | ton who has been in charge of the j Taihape High School for more than j twenty years, and who has been pro- j moted to Peilding. ;

Moving picture showmeii throughout New Zealand have been advised that when they receive a picture that has been given an “A” certificate by the censor they must advertise the fact in all advertisements and at the theatre entrance that that particular picture is recommended for showing “to adults only.’’' This does not mean that children will be debarred from seeing the film in question, but it is assumed that they will be admitted if Accompanied by a parent or guardian of adult age.

An extraordinary feat of high jumping is reported by the Otago Daily Times of Friday last. A cattle truck, with the usual high sides and top crossbar, containing a bull, was being shunted at a wayside station. Enraged by his confinement, the animal gave one huge bound, and, clearing the top of the truck, landed on the rails. He appeared to be stunned for the space of a few seconds, but staggering to his feet charged madly along the line. He negotiated the cattle stops in one bound, and disappeared from view down the beach road.

Already in various parts of Now Zealand, says the Wairarapa Star, there is considerable unemployment, notwithstanding that we are entering a period when there is usually plenty of work available. The Dominion is now experiencing a state of financial stringency, with probably the worst to come. Many importanat industries have already reduced the number of their hands, and unemployment is sure to increase in the course of a few weeks. The unsettled state in the financial and industrial worlds

is causing considerable anxiety to employers of labour, who are finding it increasingly difficult, to carry on their businesses. It is very evident that the burning question will shortly become not the "cost-of-living'bonus, ” fmt unemployment.

OUR PRODUCE IN ENGLAND. “Unless there is a financial crisis at Home, or a revolution, or some other great upheavil, New Zealand for years to come will get big prices for her meat and dairy produce," said Mr J. C. Cooper at ?. gather ■ g at Masterton. He considered that producers in New Zealand were goingto have a good time, “You will get prices you never dreamt of,V he said. He drew attention to the operations at Home of Vdty’s, the English meat combine, which dealt in every branch of business, from running retail shops upwards. The big American meat firms had their eye on Vesty’s, hut not with a view of challenging them in competition. The big combines were out to»make money, not. to cuv each other’s throats, and he viewed with uneasy feelings the prospect oi the big English and American meat combines coming to an understand which would do away with all competition. Nothing would pay New Zealand as well as her lambs. The people of England did not want very fat lambs or mutton. What was wanted at Home were lambs from 321 bto 361 b weight, just fat, and no more. In mutton, England wanted sheep under 561 b. America was going to be a very important market for New Zealand lamb, but England would be our best and higgpif, market. (