LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 September 1939, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Reduction in Centennial Plans. It is understood that, as far as Auckland’s arrangements are concerned, a sweeping reduction is to be made in the centennial programme as planned for the metropolitan area, and that proposals are under consideration for the immediate application of the machinery of organisation to purposes brought about by the present war emergency. War Zones in a Window. The widespread interest in maps of the European (Avar zones has been made excellent use of by a Queen Street firm. As a background to a display of men’s wear, a large coloured map of Europe,-complete with arrows showing the direction and areas of attack, is very effective and public interest in it is shown by the interested on-lookers who study .it frequently. Abrupt Ending. The season of five badminton chibs using the'Hastings Drill Hall has been brought to an abrupt end. Increasing defence activity has.resulted in the military authorities notifying the clubs that the hall will not be available for further play this season. Fortunately for the badminton players, who number, upward of 250, the season was nearing its end. The loss of the hall, however, means that club competitions will have to be abandoned. Business as Usual. Though there was a marked fallingoff in business in Wellington for the first two or three days after the announcement of war, trade has picked up since then, and is now back to normal, according to managers of firms. The general attitude of customers seems to be that it is their duty to carry on with their normal activities as much as possible. Picture theatres, which are usually one of the first types of business to suffer during a falling-off in trade, are attracting normal business. Public Works and War Demands. A suggestion that the estimates of public works expenditure should be drastically reviewed in the light of the changed situation brought about by the outbreak of war was made by the Leader of the Opposition. Mr Hamilton, when consideration of these estimates was commenced in the House of Representatives last night. An immediate reply was made by the Ac-ting-Prime Minister. Mr Fraser, who said that in the existing circumstances the voting of money for public works would not bind the Government to use il for that particular purpose. It would be used in whatever direction il was most required. Jewish New Year. With the setting of the sun last evening, Jews in all parts of the world assembled in their synagogues and temples to greet the incoming Jewish New Year, 5700. In the liturgy of the day they prayed for the brotherhood of men, for universal peace, for the reign of righteousness, and for the Kingdom of God to be established speedily on earth. Judaism has invested the'New Year's festival with peculiar and unique solemnity, and with it begins the annua] l()-day period of repentance in Israel, which culminates in the Day of Atonement, the holiest day in the Jewish Year Today is the first day of the month Tisri in the Jewish calendar. The Jews date their years from the time of the Creation, computed to be 3760 years before the commencement of the Christian era. making the New Year, therefore, 5700. Athenia Survivors. The New Zealand Government yesterday received a cablegram from the I High Commissicner in London. Mr W. I J. Jordan, confirming" that Mrs M?.r- -> jorie Tcmlinr.cn. who was a passenger I on the liner Alhenia, is safe, but there ; is no news so far of Misses Fletcher j and Harper. Mr Jordan has been a:l--i vised that Mrs C. E. Carter. Palmer- | sten North, has been rescued. A Brit- . ish Official Wireless message stales i that 700 survivors of the Alhenia were I entertained on Tuesday at a civic reI f option by tiro Lord Provost of Gla;I gc.AV. They included Americans. Cani adians. Poles, Finns and New Zcaland- | ers. AH. in rpitc of the language difI fieul’y. joined in the choruses of songs i sung by Sir Harry Lauder. The Lord Provost announced that recommendaI liens would bo sent to the various Go- | vernments that the bravery of the crew should be recognised.