LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 June 1943, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Optimist Club Meeting. Sixteen members of the Masterton Optimist Club sat down to tea at the weekly meeting of the club held in the Y.M.C.A. rooms, Masterton, last night. A bright session followed in which each member gave an item. Next week a talk will be given by Mr E. J. Esler on New Zealand timber.

Bank Officers and the War.

Ninety-two appeals for the exemption of bank officers from military service were granted with sine die adjournments when the cases came before the Auckland Armed Forces Appeal Board yesterday, and 12 other cases were withdrawn. Evidence showed that the majority of the men were in a position which could not be filled by women, and some were regarded as irreplaceable, while a limited number could be relieved if men now in uniform were made available to fill their positions. Victoria Cross Presentation.

The presentation of the Victoria Cross to the relatives of the late Lieutenant Moana Ngarimu is to take place at an East Coast centre, probably Ruatoria, on a date to be fixed after the arrival of the decoration in -New Zealand. This information was disclosed to a meeting of tribal committees from Hick’s Bay to Wairarapa by Sir Apirana Ngata, who said the GovernorGeneral had approved the proposal. It was also reported that the East Coast people, Maori and pakeha, had suggested as a suitable memorial to Lieutenant Ngarimu the raising of a scholarship’ fund to assist deserving Maori youths in their education.

Social Security Questionnaire. “Some beneficiaries have complained about the questions they are asked on the social security applications forms, but I can assure them and the taxpayers that the questionnaire has been very carefully considered,” said the Minister of Social Security, Mr Parry, in the financial debate in the House of Representatives last night. He said nothing more was asked than was necessary to safeguard the administration of the Act. The Minister said he would pursue the wife-deserter, and there was no justification for a father being permitted to throw the responsibility for the maintenance of his children on the taxpayer. He was determined that the unmarried mother would not be allowed to shield the man from carrying the responsibility of an illegitimate child. It was imperative that the questions on the application form should be answered, both in the interests qf the beneficiaries themselves and the taxpayers.

Renewal of Drivers’ Licences. Renewals of drivers’ Licences for the next licensing period, July 1, 1943, to June 30, 1944, are stated to be coming in exceedingly well at the Masterton Borough Office. So far 1017 licences have been renewed and there is still a steady stream of applications. This year has been remarkable for the absence of any rush in the number of applicants.

High School and Hostel. The official opening of the Whangarei Girls’ High School and hostel, Lupton House, was performed on Saturday afternoon by the Minister of Education, Mr Mason. The chairman of the. board of governors, Mr G. A. Bethell, said that the new hostel, which-will provide accommodation for 64 girls from all parts of North Auckland, was already housing 62 boarders.

No Superior People. The gallantry of Lieutenant Ngarimu, the Maori V.C., was mentioned by the Hon Walter Nash when speaking in Palmerston North on Monday night . “He was a Maori yet as good as anything God created,” stated the Minister amidst applause. Then .Mr Nash added: “That is what I meant when I said there are no superior people in the world. Give any people the environment, food and the possibility of cultural education, and they are just as good as you and me.”

Esperanto Congress. Three New Zealand Esperantists who are serving with the forces in the Middle East, Messrs H. Sansum and C. McNabb, Wellington, and Mr R. Robbins, Wanganui, used their knowledge of Esperanto to make themselves understood at the annual congress of the Palestine Esperanto League recently held in Jerusalem. Speaking on behalf of New Zealand Esperantists, Mr Sansum said he knew he would be the envy of Esperantists at home when they heard of his experience. Mr Sansum was followed by representatives from England, Czechoslovakia and Poland.

Indoor Bowling. An enjoyable time was spent at the Masterton Indoor Bowling Club’s rinks last night when the club entertained a number of Air Force men. Members and the visitors combined to form teams and interesting games resulted. The visitors, who were newcomers to the game, were freely given advice and they showed remarkable speed in picking up the finer points of the, game. The club’s popular secretary, Mr C. Leigh, was responsible for the arrangements. Supper was served and the visitors accepted an invitation to return in the near future.