Place of English Language.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 August 1939, Page 6

Place of English Language.

“An observer in the East can find little evidence of co-operaiton between the Japanese and the Germans.' remarked Dr. William A. Johnstone, professor of political science at the George Washington University, Washington, in an interview at Dunedin. Dr. and Mrs Johnstone are returning home after some months of study of the conditions in the Far East, and he mentioned that one of the most amusing observations of their trip was that German agents and Japanese had to carry on their negotiations in the English language. Heavy Potato Plantings. All gardeners, from the most modest amateur to the largest supplier of the market, appear to be seeking profit from the present shortage of potatoes. Planting is going on all over the North Island, and demand for seed has been so keen for the last month that the price has risen almost as high as that for table potatoes. From Pukekohe and Gisborne come reports of substantial sowing, and round Auckland is plenty of evidence of the same activity. However, potatoes planted now-will not be ready till the full weight of the main Pukekohe crop is on the market, and, if it is up to expectations, prices should have fallen considerably by that time. The growers who will profit most are those who planted some time ago and whose potatoes, having survived frost and snow, will be ready before the end of next month. Already small supplies of new potatoes are coming on the Auckland market. Old Maori Defences. The destruction of some old Maori defence works to make way for the Musick memorial radio station at Tamaki has aroused a protest from historical organisations in Auckland (states the “New Zealand Herald.") The station covers an area formerly occupied by a large Maori pa. The Auckland Historical Society sent a telegram on Tuesday to the ActingPrime Minister (Mr P. Fraser) and to the Minister of Public Works (Mr R. Semple), asking that work should be suspended until the question could be investigated. The association considers that some of the fortifications should be preserved. The Auckland Maori Association has also registered its protest. The former pa belonged to the Ngati-Taoa tribe, which caplured it from another tribe probably more than two centuries ago. The fortifications remaining included a deep ciitch, part of which has now: been filled in. from one clilT to the , other. All the outer defence works j have been recently levelled