LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 May 1942, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Subscription to Liberty Loan. The directors of the Hawke’s Bay Farmers’ Co-operative Association, Ltd. have decided to subscribe £50,000 toward the Liberty Loan. Price of Rice Fixed. By a price order published yesterday the maximum price at which Australian bulk dressed rice may be sold retail in any place in New Zealand where a wholesale general merchant is situated shall not be more than fid a lb, and at other places not more than 51d. Exhibition of Photographs. The display of photographs cf “blitzed” London, at present on exhibition in the W.F.C.A., Ltd., Furnishing Department, continues to attract the attention of the public. The exhibition will be open daily during business hours. A collection is being taken up in aid of a fund for the Relief of Distress in London owing to air raid at-, tacks. | Democracy Association. The New Zealand Democracy Association has been formed in Auckland. Its objects include: To win the war, preserve and extend democracy, to protect the rights of free speech and expression, to express the will of the electors and bring pressure to bear on every member of Parliament, irrespective of party, so that democracy will become effective in New Zealand and unnecessary electioneering will be avoided. Baths for Soldiers. Following on “John Bull’s” appeal for residents to make baths available for soldiers, the children of most of the local schools under the guidance of the Masterion members of the New Zealand Educational Institute made arrangements in their various districts for baths for soldiers each week. Altogether 160 soldiers are catered for weekly, and they have been very appreciative of the kindly action of the schools. Shortage of Doctors, The severe shortage of doctors available to the civilian population was mentioned by Mr Lee (Democratic Labour, Grey Lynn) in a question of which he gave notice on behalf of Mr Barnard (Democratic Labour, Napier) in the House of Representatives yesterday. He asked the Minister of Health if he would make an early statement in regard to the position and so relieve public anxiety. “The position in some districts has become so serious that appointments, in less immediately urgent cases, have to be made quite a long time ahead,” said Mr Lee in a note to the question. “It is reported that in one Auckland suburb there are now only two doctors to care for 8000 people.” Danger That Continues. “We must not forget our danger,” said the Governor-General, Sir Cyril Newall, in an address at Eltham. “We must continue to increase our preparations to drive back the enemy should he dare attack us. The fact that he has not done so yet must make no difference. Even if he never does so, we must prepare to attack him as soon as possible. Every one has a part to play in this—men and women, young and old alike.” It was five months ago that Japan came into the war and New Zealand soil was threatened with invasion, said his Excellency. Though the danger had. increased, no attack had yet taken place. It was vitally important that every man, woman and child in the Dominion should guard against a traditional British characteristic —a short memory.