LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 March 1943, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Windfall Grade of Apples, Following severe storms in Christchurch on Wednesday and over the weekend which caused some damage to orchards, a windfall grade of apple will be accepted in Christchurch this season, stated Mr A. R. Grainger, Government orchard inspector. Airman Injured. When the aircraft in which he was flying solo crashed near a South Inland training station on Wednesday afternoon L/Ac. Milton James Young, an airman pilot under training, received injuries to the left leg and a suspected fracture of the skull. Churchill Club Established. An enthusiastic public meeting called by' the mayor of Gisborne, Mr N. H. Bull, formed what is believed to be the first Churchill Club in the Empire. By a coincidence, the meeting, though announced previously, followed the cabled report of a similar club formed by Danish’-boys. The objects of the two clubs, however, are different, the intention of the Gisborne organisation being to honour Mr Churchill and remember his great services to the Empire, and in later years to continue to revere his memory and keep his name before succeeding generations. Radio Licences. The introduction of a special card on which stamps may be fixed for the subsequent payment of radio receiving licences was announced by the Postmaster-General, Mr Webb, when replying in the House yesterday to an urgent question by Miss Howard (Government, Christchurch East). She had inquired if the Minister would arrange that payment of licences by pensioners could be made in quarterly instalments in view of the hardship on such people in meeting the full yearly fee in one instalment. The Minister said "that on account of the huge amount of work that would be involved it would not be possible to introduce quarterly payments, but in cases of hardship arrangements had been made for the acceptance of half the annual fee, and this facility would be available to pensioners as well as others. New Zealand and Russia. “I would like the Prime Minister to make a statement before this session ends that we are going to have a representative of Russia in New Zealand,” said Mr Atmore (Independent, Nelson) when he spoke in the concluding stages of the Address-in-Reply debate. He declared that the Dominion was lagging behind other parts of the Empire in not having arranged an exchange of representatives with the Soviet Union. It was a matter of international importance that this be done without delay. The Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, interposed, “A Russian representative would be welcome here.” Mr Atmore: “Have there been overtures?” The Prime Minister: “There have been some.” Mr Atmore: “I am glad to hear it.” The member, in paying a tribute to Russia’s fight against Hitlerism, said the Russian soldier was inspired to great achievements because he was fighting for his own land and not land held by a mortgagee. If Russia were not fully represented at the peace table there would be poor prospect of world stability and peace.

Tribal Committee Dance. The Te Ore Ore Maori Tribal Committee held a most successful dance in the Te Ore Ore Meetinghouse last night. The music was supplied by Mrs Anaru’s Orchestra. Supper was served by a ladies’ committee.

Wairarapa Kennel Club, The Wairarapa Kennel Club at a committee meeting held this week completed arrangements for the Challenge Show to be held in Rugby Park, Herbert Street, on March 20. Entries are coming in well from near and far and the club is working hard to make this show a success. Mr J. Solei’ is a very well known judge. ,He will judge all breeds. It is hoped the public and members of the forces will attend in good numbers. Action Criticised.

Criticism was expressed at the Dominion conference of the Master Butchers’ Association in Christchurch at the action of the Government in holding up the report of the sheepskin inquiry committee. Members said they had been waiting 18 months for this report, which deals with the purchase and sale of sheepskins and pelts and also the methods of administration adopted by the sheepskin controller. It was decided to urge the Minister of Agriculture, Mr Barclay, to request the Government to give effect to the committee’s recommendations.

Destroyed By Fire. Greenvale House at Stewart Island, a well-known boarding-house with 30 bedrooms was completely destroyed by fire early last evening. Only some bedding and kitchenware were saved. The fire was first noticed in the boiler room at the back of the house, and soon spread to the main building. Attempts to check the flames were unsuccessful because of the dense smoke. There was only one guest at the time. The building was owned by Miss C. V. Thomson and was insured for £2006. The furniture was covered to the extent of £BOO. Address-in-Reply Debate. Fifty-nine speakers took part in the Address-in-Reply debate, which was concluded in the House of Representatives last night with a brief reply by the mover of the Address-in-Reply motion, Mr Boswell (Government, Bay of Islands). The debate extended over nine sittings, and contributions were made to it by 42 Government members, 15 Opposition members, one Independent, and one Democratic Labour member. After the debate a start was made with legislation, arrangements having been made at the beginning of the sitting to continue beyond the normal hours of adjournment. The House rose at midnight till 10.30 this morning. Union of Churches. There was a lively discussion at the Congregational Assembly now being held in Wellington on the proposed union of the Congregational, Presbyterian and Methodist Churches in New Zealand. The assembly had before it the decisions of its constituent churches on the proposed basis of union. The following resolutions were adopted: — (1) That the churches be recommended to promote true spiritual unity with the churches of the other two denominations. (2) That at future assemblies the President of the Methodist Conference and the Moderator of the Presbyterian Assembly, as well as an observer, be honoured guests.