LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 June 1940, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Frost in Masterton. A frost of 7.5 degrees was registered in Masterton this morning.

Maori Books for Library. The Masterton Borough Library has benefited by the gift of 20 valuable Maori books from the late Dr Trimble. First Offender.

A first offender for drunkenness, who appeared before Mr A. D. Low, J.P., in the Masterton Magistrate's Court this morning, was convicted and discharged.

Killed by Falling Tree. David C. Richards. Cardiff, near Stratford, was killed instantly on his property yesterday when a tree he was cutting down struck him as it fell. Just before the tree fell he ran to get clear, but he was not quick enough. Mr. Richards had been married only about 12 months. Soldier Influenza Patients.

The recent reduction in the number of soldier influenza patients from Papakura Camp was maintained yesterday, when the total dropped to about 390, compared with 407 on Wednesday. Sick parade attendance also fell from 156 to 143, and military and health authorities are hopeful that the outbreak will shortly be completely eliminated.

Drunken Motorist Sent to Gaol. At the Wellington S.M. Court yesterday, one month’s imprisonment was imposed on Arthur Farmery, hotel worker, aged 45, for having been intoxicated in charge of a motor car. He was prohibited from obtaining a licence for three years. On a charge of having driven a motor car without a licence he was convicted and discharged. Stud Sheep for Sydney.

Shipped to Sydney this week by the stud stock department of Messrs Wright, Stephenson & Co., Ltd., were several lines of quality sheep. Among these were 12 two-tooth Southdown ewes from Mr Gordon McLeod, of Martinborough, and 15 ewes from the well-known Kohatu stud of Mr R. M. Perry, of Upper Plain, Masterton. New Zealand and U.S.A.

A suggestion that the Government should consider appointing to Washington a Minister or Commissioner to represent the Dominion, in view of the many interests common to the United States of America and New Zealand, was made in a question asked by Mr Lee (Democratic Labour, Grey Lynn) on behalf of Mr Barnard (Democratic Labour, Napier), in the House of Representatives yesterday. The Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, replied that the matter was receiving the attention of the Government and action was under consideration, particularly in regard to the present situation. Petrol Position.

The necessity for an immediate reduction in the consumption of petrol was emphasised by the Minister of Supply, Mr. Sullivan, in an interview last evening. He indicated that unless petrol users did this of their own volition further rationing was inevitable. “There is no need for me to tell the average New Zealander about the gravity of the international situation,” said Mr Sullivan. “Our petrol has to be brought from overseas a distance of at least 3000 miles. Oil fuel is so vital to our defence and to our national production that the Government would be failing in its duty if it did not protect existing reserves. This can only be done if all private car owners and commercial users restrict their consumption to the barest minimum.” No Italians in State Mines.

No Italians are now working in the State mines on the West Coast. This statement was made in an interview yesterday by the Minister of Mines, Mr Webb, who said the positions of Italians who had been working there had been filled. “Many of the Italians who were working in the State mines have been there for many years,” Mr. Webb said, “and they are excellent citizens, but on account of Italy’s participation in the war they have been taken from the mines. A large number of them have been living on the West Coast for many years, and some have married New Zealand girls. On their country being involved in war with the Allies, however, it was felt by the miners that in the interests of general safety, the Italians should not be employed in or about the mines.” Very few Italians were working in other than State mines, the Minister added.

Mischievous Rumours. Prompt action against persons circulating mischievous rumours was promised by the Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, when replying in the House of Representatives to an urgent question by Mr Nordmeyer (Government, Oamaru). It was provided in the regulations, the Prime Minister said, that a penalty should be inflicted on persons making statements intended or likely to cause undue alarm in regard to public safety or the war. That part of the regulations would certainly be enforced, and persons circulating statements likely to cause undue alarm would have to answer for their actions. Particularly drastic regulations had been drafted in England, specially in view of the present situation. "People who honestly believe what they say and have made a mistake will not. be penalised,” Mr Fraser added, "but people who deliberately spread mischievous rumours are dangerous and will certainly be dealt with.”

Subversive Activities. “Among many statements that have been made concerning Communist and other subversive activities in this country are some to the effect that these have been manifested to an alarming extent among school teachers.” said the Minister of Education, Mr Mason, in a statement to the Press last night. “No specific instance of subversive activity in the education system has been referred to the Education Department or to the Minister by any education board or other school governing authority. The proper procedure is to complain in the first instance to the school committee of a primary school or the governing body of a post-primary school, giving specific information capable of being verified and acted on. If satisfaction is not received from a school committee, the matter can be taken up with the education board, or even with the department. At the same time. I do not wish this to be understood as suggesting that complaints should be made lightly, for it must be manifest that much injustice could easily be caused by irresponsible allegations which might also be actionable in a Court of law.”