STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 November 1916, Page 3

STRATFORD.

(From Our Own Correspondent). [Messages or instructions left care of H. I''. Hopkins, Bookseller and Stationer, Broadway, will receive prompt attentkm,l , —— i • OCEAN TRANSPORT. ! Monday, November CO. The scheme for establishment of ocean transport, published recently in the Daily News, has elicited a great deal of favorable comment. The details appear feasible and reasonable, and if the committees in the various towns already visited work continuously there is no reason whatever why the idea initiated here should not lead to the best results. In this connection a letter from Hawera, written by Mr. F. Silson, has reached the writer. In his letter lie says: "The fanners who seek to obtain lower or reasonable freights on butter, cheese, wool, etc., should co-operate with imj porters in Taranaki so that outward tonnage would also come out at reasonable rates. I assume that fanners and importers would co-operate and purchase steamers, as that would be the only way to get over the present high charges. My opinion ia that farmers to work improvements on homeward freights only would be doomed to faiure, it being absolutely necessary that steamers should be fully utilised both ways. I should like the initiators of the scheme to canvass all importers in Taranaki and afterwards their representatives, with the farmers and producers to meet and discuss ways and meani>" Mr. Richards was shown the above letter, and thinks it would be a good thing if they could get all the importers to co-operate with producers. He welcomed criticism and any new ideas would bo considered. At present the producers were vitally interested in the question of shipping feights, and the volume of their trade was sufficient to make it more than worth their while to make a start. Naturally if they bought steamers they would see to it that freights were secured on voyages to and from Is ew Zealand. Freights on both imports and exports should be equally reduced. In the meantime oversea charges are extiemely high and the time is ripe for [New Zealand to make a move in thu direction outlined. The scheme can de vclop and embrace the importers as well as the producers. Whilst there is no desire to rush things ahead, the question should bo always before the minds of those interested. Perhaps we shall soon hear of a move being made in New Plymouth in the matter. New Plymouth stands to gain much by the introduction of New Zealand-owned vessels making voyages to Britain, and a direction from them will be of great assistance.

A. AND P. ASSOCIATION. This progressive Association it male irg every preparation for .'the sixth annual show, to be held on the 29th and 30th inst. Entries are coming in freely, and those who have not already done so should note that these close on Thursday next. The classes contained in the schedule are very comprehensive, including horses, cattle, sheep, pigs, dog 3, and home industries. Special prizes ha%e been allotted, and will amount to over £SOO. All classes of stock have been well catered for, and the result should be a record aggregate entry. Various committees have been working during the past five weeks, preparing the grounds, bull and horso boxes, and competition ring's. Some very attractive items are included in the competition programme, which comprises lfl events, including a huge water jump. The public can rest assured that the committee have drawn up a most attractive programme. Any volunteers for the Reinforcements who visit Stratford and fail to find Sergeant-Major Mahoney in liis office should communicate with Mr. C. Sole, from whom they can obtain railway passes and warrants for enlistment. Sergeant-Major Mahoney informs me that 12 recruits went to New Plymouth to-day for medical examination. It will be good news to many round here to leavn that Mr. J. T. Hornsby, MP. for Wairarapa, will deliver a lecture on "War Topics" some time in December. The Mayor of Carterton is a busy man these times, and the date of the lecture will be left to him to fix. He is no stranger to these parts, having delivered stirring recruiting speeches in the province some 18 months ago. Quartermaster-Sergeant R. C. King, of the 22nd Reinforcements, is up from Trentham. In peaceful days he was engnged in Messrs Wright and I.awrence's offices, but, like many others in khaki, tie considers that is the life for men. Being well-known in the town and district, it goes without saying that he has the best of good wishes for his future work as a soldier of the King. Another military man well-known in this district is Captain J. B. Hine, M.P. He hasn't exactly reached the firing line, but his contingent is well on the way there, and his latest communication to his wife indicates that things are going weil with him. There was a touch of comedy here today in the actions of a lecturer who re cently delivered a series of addresses in New Plymouth. The debaters met in Broadway, and the lecturer objected to his late adversary writing to the News calling hint a charlatan. He denied that he was such, and eased off his superfluous heat by alluding to Mr. Ells in uncomplimentary terms. His denunciations gathered it few people round, and a policeman in plain clothes kept close handy in case of hostilities. After u little "skirmishing" the irate lecturer moved off, and the curious Stratfordites \vili probably have an opportunity of hearing the lecturer's views of past debaters.