LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 December 1941, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Germany and Coloured Races. “A pamphlet published in Germany in 1938, by the National Socialist Party, expresses the attitude of Nazi Germany to all coloured peoples in the Empire it hopes to build,” stated Robert Adams in a 8.8. C. broadcast. It says that coloured peoples will not be permitted to leave German colonies for Europe on any pretext; no coloured person will be able to become a. German citizen; and the German racial law will be extended to the colonies. The schools will not be allowed to teach any European matter. . . In principle higher schools and universities will be closed to coloured people, and special theatres, cinemas, and other places. of amusement and recreation will be created for them.

Holiday Sacrificed. A sudden call to sacrifice their holiday to fulfil an urgent order for mattresses from the Defence Purchase Division was immediately responded to by a number of girls employed by an Auckland firm. The order was received in the middle of the afternoon of Christmas Eve, just after the girls had been paid their wages and holiday money and just before they left the building to commence their leave. The girls were asked if they would work two extra days, and although the majority had made all arrangements for their holidays they signified their willingness to return to work. At 8 a.m. the first day there was not one absentee. They worked throughout the day until 8.30 p.m. and reported again at 8 a.m. next day.

Scarcity of Potatoes. Foi’ the first time within a long period of years several of the Auckland markets auctioneering firms did not have a single bag of potatoes for sale yesterday. One firm had a small consignment but the lot was commandeered by the Army authorities and none was available for public requirements. Representatives of a. large firm said this was the first occasion within their memory that no potatoes had been on their floors for sale at this period of the season. That there is a definite shortage of supplies.and that it is likely to .persist for some time was affirmed by the trade generally. Most retailers carried ample stocks over the holidays and it was stated that sufficient for current public purchases are in hand.

War Relics Melted Down. Two old British naval guns once used in the Crimean War against Russia more than 80 years ago are now being melted down in a Christchurch foundry to provide munitions for use in a war in which Britain and Russia are allies. The guns were part of a load of scrap metal collected in Timaru, and had been on the beach at Caroline Bay for many years. Before their transfer to the beach they had formed part of Timaru’s defences against possible invasion. One gun was made in 1842 and the other in 1853. Experts at the foundry where the guns are being melted down say that they are made of the standard Admiralty metal, which is 88 per cent copper, 10 per cent tin, and 2 per cent zinc. The total weight js 25cwt, and the scrap metal in the guns is worth approximately £76.

Harvesting of* Linen Flax Crop.

A start was made today with the pulling of a crop of linen flax at Mr H. J. Cooper’s farm at Opaki. If the weather remains favourable the work will be continued tomorrow. Watch Night Service. The Methodist Church will hold a special watch-night service on Wednesday, commencing at 11 p.m., in which members of the Salvation Army will take part. The service will be conducted as a special service of intercession and inspiration. Toll of the Aeroplane. According to published reports, the Royal New Zealand Air Force has lost 43 men killed, six missing believed killed, and 30 injured in aircraft mishaps in the Dominion this year. Fatal accidents have occurred in various parts of the country, and there have been nine night-flying accidents. In all, 57 aircraft have been involved. Meat Production. The official figures of killings for the present season at the Dominion’s freezing works from October 1 till December 13, as issued by the New, Zealand Meat Producers’ Board, show that lamb killings now total 1,248,390 carcases .this being an increase of 452,671 carcases over the killings to December 14 last season. Wether mutton killings are 58,102 carcases, and ewe mutton killings 22,431 carcases, compared with 6,771 and 5,315 carcases, respectively, last season. Shortage of Shearers. Serious fears concerning this year’s wool clip are entertained by runholders and sheepfarmers generally throughout Otago. The shortage of shearers and the effect of the unsettled weather have combined to retard the/season to such an extent that it is expected that further undue delay will result in the value of the wool decreasing. On many farms where it is customary to employ five or six shearers, it has been possible this year to obtain the services of only one or, at most, two, and on highcountry stations in the Lakes district, boards normally utilising the services of 10 or 12 men have only two or three working. Some of these runs shear as many as 25,0u0 sheep.

E.P.S. Service. It is learned that a Gazette announcement will probably be issued within a few days making enrolment in the E.P.S. organisation compulsory for members of the community according to classification. No official statement has yet been made on the subject, but there is good authority for believing that this action is pending. Discussions are reported to have been proceeding with a view to the drafting of the necessary regulations. Firewatching and fire-fighting precautions will, it is stated, be two essential features. There has been, in the past, some reluctance on the part of a section of the public to accept their full share of responsibility in general protective and emergency precautions, and it has been considered that those not taking an active part should be brought into line with others more imbued with a sense of civic duty. Moreover, the trend of recent events in the Pacific has emphasised the need for a -fully-manned protective service covering all phases of emergency organisation.