LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 August 1941, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Parliamentary Sittings. After concluding the Budget debate last evening, the House of Representatives adjourned until 2.30 p.m. on Wednesday. For the remainder of the session the House is to sit only on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Death Penalty for Treason.

“The Government has not considered the matter of abolishing the death penalty for treason, and there is no intention of altering the law in this respect,” said the Minister of Justice, Mr Mason, in reply to a question by Mr Broadfoot in the House of Representatives yesterday. In a note, to his question, Mr Broadfoot had said that no executions for murder had been carried out in New Zealand since 1935. He drew attention to the fact that the Chief Justice had stated that death was the penalty for a particular act which might constitute treason and people should know the serious nature of offences under the war regulations. Mr Savage’s Coffin.

To ensure that the mortal remains of Mr M. J. Savage, former Prime Minister, should not be disturbed by rockblasting operations at Bastion Point, Orakei, necessitated by the formation of a permanent memorial, the coffin, which was entombed in an old-time ammunition vault, has been removed to St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Auckland. It wifi rest in the church till the tomb on Bastion Point has been completed. The casket was removed to the cathedral in the quietest manner under the supervision of the Department of Internal Affairs, and was received by the Cathedral Administrator. It was placed in a tiny sacristy on the north side of the sanctuary. The sacristy was then sealed. Territorial Matters.

An undertaking to give immediate consideration to several matters which are causing grave concern to serving members of the Territorial Force was given by the Minister of . Defence, Mr Jones. The chief subjects brought to the attention of the Minister affect the present strength of many of the Territorial units, the rate of recruiting, the amount of training and the number of absentees at out-of-camp parades.. Discussing the organisation and tiaining of home defence forces generally, the Minister said the Government .would have the advice of General Sir Guy Williams. He could not say at the moment whether all of General Williams’s report would be made public but it might be possible to publish his conclusions. ,

Vita] Statistics. The following vital statistics were recorded at the Masterton Courthouse last month, figures for July, 1940, being given in parentheses:—Births, 31 (31): deaths, 14 (12); marriages, 7 (11).' First Aid Lecture. There was an attendance of 85 at the Home Guard and E.P.S. first aid class held in Masterton last night. Dr. T. L. Parr lectured on the treatment of fractures of the leg. Drivers' Licences. The Masterton Borough Council issued 117 drivers’ licences last month, bringing the total issued to date to 2002. The Masterton County Council issued 38 licences last month, making the total issued to date 1101, a decrease of 69 licences compared with the corresponding date last year. Need for Black Out. “Information submitted has completely satisfied me that the present reduced lighting in Auckland is necessary in the interests of public safety,” said the mayor, Mr Allum, on his return yesterday from the conference in Wellington. “Unfortunately, the reasons may not be disclosed, but they exist.” Building Permits. In July the Masterton Borough Council issued three building permits for an estimated value of £563. as compared with six permits for a value of £1167 12s in July, 1940. The Masterton County Council issued one permit last month for £9O, against one permit for £2O last year. The Reason Why. People may wonder sometimes why the stamp-vending machines at the Masterton. Post Office fail to work. For i instance, the other day one of them was put out of action by reason of having half a dozen discs of sheet lead inserted in the slot as a substitute for pennies. It was" some satisfaction to know, however, that this attempt to secure stamps failed, though the machine was effectively dislocated for the time being. £53 Donation. A donation of £5O to the Provincial Patriotic Fund has been received by the Mayor, Mr T. Jordan, from the Masterton branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Co-op. Distributing Co., Ltd. It is portion of a sum of £250 which the directors of the company are contributing to the patriotic fund. The balance is being contributed by the head office of the company and other branches of the firm.