LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 October 1940, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

War Emergency Regulations. The Dunedin branch of the New Zealand Tramways’ Union, and the Iron and Brass Moulders’ Union, have passed resolutions protesting against the amendment of the War Emergency Regulations. Drunken Motor Driver Fined. Having admitted that he had been intoxicated in charge of a motor-car in Customhouse Quay on Saturday, Thomas Morgan, labourer, aged 21, was fined £25 and prohibited for 12 months from holding a licence to drive by Mr Stout, S.M., in the Magistrates’ Court, Wellington, yesterday. Economic Conference. The Economic and National Stabilisation Conference, which was called by the Government several weeks ago to consider economic questions associated with New Zealand’s war effort, including the stabilisation of prices and costs, will resume tomorrow. Since the conference first met a representative committee -appointed by the delegates has been making a detailed examination of the problems involved, and its report will be submitted to the conference for consideration. A Farmer's Solution. The possibility that sweet blue lupins. which are being grown experimentally at Lincoln College at present, will revolutionise certain branches of farming was mentioned by Professor E. R. Hudson, director of the college, at a recent meeting of the board. “Will they get more wheat grown?” asked Mr C. Morgan Williams, M.P. “Our big problem is to grow more wheat.” There was laughter when Mr I. L. M. Coop, Farmers’ Union representative on the board, interjected, “Well, pay more money for it.” Golfers Watch Air Battles. Golf in parts of Britain has become exciting since Hitler launched his air attacks. A director of one of England’s biggest shipping firms in a letter just received in Christchurch, has said: “I saw some exciting air battles yesterday while I was playing golf, and quite a number of Germans were brought down in the area visible from the course. I saw no less than five Germans bail out in their parachutes at one time. The work of the Royal Air Force to date has been beyond praise and exceeded anything that we could possibly have hoped for.” Gift Parcels for Soldiers.

A lady resident of Eketahuna today expressed to a “Times-Age” representative her deep appreciation of the publication of the letter yesterday concerning'gift parcels to soldiers, and to Mrs Beetham for having made it available to the “Times-Age,” as it cleared up the much vexed question of whether the soldiers really received the parcels forwarded to them. The lady in question expressed the opinion that the letter should be brought under the notice of every organisation or private individual who forwarded gifts to the soldiers, as it would ease their minds concerning the receipt of the parcels by those to whom they were sent. Home Guard. A suggestion that the Government should accept liability for all disabilities that may be caused or aggravated by training as members of the Home Guard was referred to yesterday by the Minister of National Service, Mr Semple. He said that it was impracticable to arrange for the medical examination of everyone volunteering for service, and in any case it should not be necessary, as guardsmen would only train in their spare time, say, one week night and a few hours at the weekend. However, if in a war emergency the Home Guard were called upon to become part of the defence forces of the country, then at that stage all guardsmen would be entitled to the same compensation, pensions, etc., as now apply to the soldier. Subversive Leaflet. Holding that Ernest James Brooks, aged 40, printer and clerk, on March 26 printed a leaflet headed “The Real Criminals” with a view to facilitating the publication of a subversive statement, Mr F. H. Levien, S.M., at Auckland yesterday fined him £3O, in default six weeks’ imprisonment. Brooks denied the charge. Mr Levien said he had come to the conclusion, not without some slight doubt, that Brooks knew the nature of the publication which his small printery had handled and printed. “There is still a doubt in my mind,” the magistrate added, “as to whether Brooks was a perfectly independent party. However, the case is one which I think calls for the imposition of a fine.” The magistrate refused to allow time for the payment of the fine. Illegal Lottery. Two charges of having conducted a lottery on July 20 and September 14 were brought against Richard Charles Caddy, butcher, who appeared on summons before Mr Levien, S.M., in the Auckland Magistrates’ Court. Accused pleaded guilty. Accused was on the social committee of a bowling club, said Detective-Sergeant Nalder, and was authorised to raise money. When the club's financial position was not sound he decided to run small lotteries ,the first prize being £7, and minor prizes amounting to about £9 being given. Tickets numbered from 000 to 999 were issued, the prize-win-ner being decided from the last three figures in the totalisator returns at various race meetings. Over 100 lotteries were held, with a profit of £8 10s on each. On the first charge accused was convicted and fined £4. and ordered to pay costs on the second charge. Candidate Selected. Mr C. G. E. Harker was selected last night as the official National Party candidate for the Waipawa electorate in the by-election brought about by the death of Mr A. E. Jull, National member for the electorate. There was a large meeting of delegates, representing 22 branches of the party in the electorate. There were six candidates for nomination. Mr Harker is a barrister and solicitor of Waipawa and chairman of the electorate committee of the party. He is vice-president of the Waipawa branch of the N.Z.R.S.A., a former mayor of the borough, former president of the Waipawa Chamber of Commerce, and a member of the Dominion Council of the New Zealand National Party. He was born in 1889. There were 13h delegates present as well as a large attendance of members, the financial membership of the electorate being close on 3000.