LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 June 1918, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A deputation of Hindus waited upon Die Mayor of Hamilton on Saturday to protest against the action of the local barbers in refusing them a shave, says the Waikato Times. They consider especially in view of what India has done for the National Cause that an unjusti* fied slight lias been placed upon them, and point out that it cannot be asscribed to lack of personal cleanliness, as their religions enjoins upon them the most scrupulous care in that respect. They were under the impression that the barbers carried o:> their business under a license, hence their protest to the Mayor. In some matters they are astonishingly lenient in England. The Home Secretary stated recently in answer to a question that he was in communication with the military authorities with regard to the case of a naturalised German who had been recently fined £1 for the eighth time for failing to screen a light at Folkestone. A seaside town, a naturalised German, an unscreened light, and eight offences. The gospel of the family is accepted by the Legislature of West Australia. The Legislative Assembly recently devoted an allnight sitting to a revision of the State income tax, the decision being to adopt the Government's proposals to reduce the exemption from £2OO to £ISG in the case of married men, and £IOO in the case of bachelors. A further provision was made for a deduction from the assessable income of £2O in the case of each child.

The following is from the Hokitika Guardian of Thursday last: "Several people, including a member of the Guardian staff, saw in the far roadstead last evening, a number of vessels just before dusk A pair of field glasses were obtained and nine vessels were counted. It is also stated that an aeroplane could be seen circling round in near vicinity to the ships. Quite a number gathered on the sea beach to view the interesting sight, but the fast approaching dusk soon hid a further view. It might be noted that it is reported from Grey< mouth that an aeroplane was seen in that vicinity last evening also." War makes strange bedfellows (says London "Truth") Commanding officers of armed merchant cruisers have beeii instructed that the mercantile ratings in their ships are to be afforded every reasonable facility for keeping in touch with any trade union they may belong to, and that under certain conditions union officials are to be allowed to visit (lie sliips for union purposes, and are authorised "to bring to the Commanding Officer's notice any grievance of the Mercantile Marine Ratings which lie feels justified in so doing." I believe this is the first tune the right of combination has been so explicitly recognised by the Admiralty—outside the dockyards—and it can hardly fail to influence the official attitude towards the regular lower deck personnel. On our present schedule we shall have something like two and a half million men in service and in training when the present year of the world's travail ends (says the New York "Independent"). We ought to have twice as many The more men we give the quicker the task will be done The more men we send, the more will come back safe and sound. The way to save American lives is to offer American lives with prodigal hands. We should reconsider our plans now. We should double them now We should begin to make ready as many more cantonments, as many more camps, as much more equipment and clothing and supplies as we now have—and we should do it now. The enemy is now making his supreme assault upon all that we believe and hold dear. The answer of America should be—more men now. The first episode of the master play, "The Neglected Wife," commences today at Everybody's. It will be shown at the matinee as well as the evening performance. A memorial service will be conducted in the Baptist Tabernacle to-morrow morning, m connection with the death of Mr. Arthur H. Amlbury, who so nobly sacrificed his life on Mount Egmont last Monday afternoon. In the evening the Rev. Sievewrightt will sipeak on the subject of as a Conquered Foe." Special hymns and anthem will be sung. Brigadier and Mrs. Toomer, of Palme rston North, will conduct the meetings in the Salvation Army Hall, Sunday, all day.