Mufti Allowance.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 April 1943, Page 2

Mufti Allowance.

The mufti allowance was under Government consideration, said the Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, in Auckland yesterday. The amount paid to soldiers returning from overseas and others discharged after service was determined on the basis of existing conditions and prices. Suggestions put forward were receiving attention. Mr Fraser declared it was the wish of the people that the men discharged from the services should be properly provided for without extravagance. Sunken Vessels Floated. “I believe you will find that every ship the Japanese sank in their treacherous attack on Pearl Harbour has been floated again and will take part in the reckoning with the Japanese,” said Mr Nash, New Zealand Minister to Washington, speaking at a civic reception in Lower Hutt last night. Mr Nash said he had seen testimony of the wonderful achievements of the Americans in repairing the damage at Pearl Harbour, and the Japanese would know of it later. Final Phase of Tragedy. The final episode in the Koiterangi tragedy was concluded yesterday afternoon at Hokitika, when the coroner, Mr Benjamin, completed the inquest on George Sackville Ridley, agricultural inspector to the Canterbury Education Board, who was wounded on October 8, 1941, and died at Westland Hospital on March 18, 1943. The coroner returned a verdict that Mr Ridley died as the result of a gunshot wound inflicted by Eric Stanley Graham at Koiterangi, with intent to injure.

Registration of Women. Registrations of girls and 'women in New Zealand from the ages of 18 to 30 years, inclusive, as required by the National Service Department, totalled 107,000 to March 16 last. There are 22,000 registered in the 18-19 age group, the last called on. This is considered to be a very good coverage, but there are said to be still hundreds who have not fulfilled their obligations. Mr H. L. Bockett, Controller of Manpower, states that the department will not hesitate to take action in cases of non-compliance with the regulations. The interviewing and direction of girls in the 18-19 age group is now proceeding, and numbers have already been directed to essential work. None of the 18 and 19-year-old girls are directed to employment away from their homes without the consent of their parents.