LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 February 1943, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Sharp Earthquake. A sharp earthquake was felt in Masterton about 1.35 o’clock this morning. The Scrimgeour Appeal. The Makarewa Freezing Workers’ Union, at a meeting on Wednesday, adopted a resolution protesting against the discriminating attitude of the Government in the Scrimgeour case, and deploring the introduction of politics in his appeal by a member of the Armed Forces Appeal Board. State Housing. An indication that there was to be a further postponement of State housing construction was given by the Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, when replying in the House last night to an urgent question by Mr Goosman- concerning the allocation of State houses. The Prime Minister said he had attended a conference that morning with repreesntatives of the United States forces with respect to hospital requirements, and as a result he could see another big building programme evolving which would have the effect of further postponing the erection of dwellings. The unfortunate thing was that there were so few houses to allocate. Consumption of Gas, The Auckland Gas Company is appealing to all consumers for a 10 per cent reduction in the consumption of gas because of the company’s inability to manufacture sufficient for industrial purposes and essential industries, including munitions. “Supplies of suitable coal are inadequate, despite the undertaking given by the Coal Controller, and the last shipment arrived so wet and of such indifferent quality that it is impossible to maintain the gas output at the normal level,” said the manager, Mr R. Worley. January’s demand was a record for the company. Schemes to Avoid Taxation. “Is it the Government’s intention to allow doctors or other professional men to become servants of companies and thus avoid liability for excess profits tax?” asked Mr Kidd in the House last night, in a question to the Act-ing-Minister of Finance, Mr Fraser. Mr Kidd added that it was stated that some doctors were proposing to organise companies and to enter into contracts of service with the company, thus becoming salary-earners and freeing themselves from liability for assessment under the excess, profits tax. Replying, Mr Fraser thanked the member for raising the matter. It would be' closely examined with a view to ensuring that nobody, as a result of any system of company organisation or by the adoption of any other method, was enabled to avoid the payment of his full taxation obligations.

Dance at Meeting House. A dance held at the Te Ore Ore meeting house last night was well attended. The proceeds will be used for promoting the Maori war effort. Fall From a Horse, Mr Duncan McGregor, aged 73 years, of Gladstone, was admitted to the Masterton Hospital- yesterday afternoon with a dislocated thumb which he received when he fell off a horse. Presbyterian Services. Presbyterian services will be conducted at the Lansdowne Presbyterian Church on Sunday at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. by the Rev D. McNeur, who will also preach at Kaiparoro at 1.30 p.m. and at Eketahuna at 3 p.m. Volunteers Required. The American Red Cross Service Club in Masterton requires volunteer workers for the shifts from 12 to 2 p.m., and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. daily, and also Saturday and Sunday workers. Volunteer workers already enrolled are required to report for duty as from tomorrow, at 2 p.m. “Sleeping Births.” A recent news item in the Press that experiments were being made with spinal anaesthetics in America in maternity cases reminds a member of the public of a largely lettered advertisement on the front of a shop in Queen Street which states “Train tickets and sleeping births.” Society of Accountants. It is believed that the New Zealand Society of Accountants, with a membership of 3136 (an increase of 86 during the past year) is the Dominion’s largest professional body. There are 895 members in full-time service with the armed forces. Wellington has 1045 members (including 156 in the northern part of the province), Auckland 831 (including 132 in South Auckland), Canterbury 490 (including 64 in South Canterbury), and Otago 292. Sewing Group Requirements. The Red Cross Hospital Sewing Group is urgently Tn need of red material such as Turkey twill and Britway, etc., for marking white articles for hospital use; also red woollen material and grey nurse tloth or lining for binding the Army Hospital dressing gowns. The binding should be 1| inches wide and could be cut from partly worn garments, furnishings, etc. It is not procurable in the shops. Parcels may be left at the dress department at Messrs Hugo and Shearer’s shop. The group extends its thanks to those friends who sent in parcels of pyjama buttons and girdles, which are still in demand.