LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 September 1943, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dunedin Rabbitskin Sale. A large catalogue was submitted to the usual bench of buyers at the weekly rabbitskin sale at Dunedin. Competition was general from all sections,of the trade, but does were not so keenly sought after and were easier as compared with the high prices ruling at the last sale. In the winter grades bucks were par to 5d per lb. dearer, while does were easier by 3d to lOd per lb. Hatters grades advanced from 3d to 6d per lb.

Yeung Farmers’ Dance. The Masonic Hall, Masterton, was last night packed the doors when the Masterton Young Farmers’ Club held a dance. The large crowd present spent a most enjoyable time in dancing to music supplied by Mr J. Barnes’s orchestra and the duties of M’s.C. were carried out by Messrs D. McLachlan and W. D. Buick. Extras were played by Messrs Thorne Bros. A Monte Carlo waltz was won by Miss A. Vickery and Mr W. Cameron and a Lucky Spot dance was won by Miss N. Kjestrup and L.A.C. Doell. Supper was served by a ladies’ committee under the supervision of Mrs W. James. Crippled Children.

It would be a great boon to all humanity if it were possible to isolate and, to discover the cause and cure of that terrible scourge, infantile paralysis, said the Minister of Health, Mr Nordmeyer, addressing the eighth .annual conference of the New Zealand Crippled Children Society in Wellington yesterday. All hoped that medical science would, by intensive research, be able to carry out more work on the preventive side of the disease. He suggested that in these things people must keep an open mind and if there were methods of treating the disease that might be unorthodox, the mere fact of their being unorthodox should not blind those concerned to the possibility that there might be real merit in them.

New Zealand Prisoners in Italy. The Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, stated last night that several weeks ago the War Cabinet had issued instructions for arrangements to be made by the Army authorities for the repatriation to New Zealand at the earliest possible opportunity of any New Zealanders, prisoners of war, who might be released from Italy. From inquiries made at Army Headquarters yesterday it was ascertained that approximately 3800 New Zealand service men were, up till a week or two ago, held prisoner in Italian camps, most of them having been captured in Northern Africa, Crete and Greece. There are, according to a Red Cross locality map, 26 prison camps in Italy. Only two of them are situated north of the River Po. These are Campo P.G. 57, near Udine, north-west of the port of Trieste, and Campo P.G. 201, which lies roughly halfway between Milan and Trento. Other camps are scattered throughout Italy.

Dental Practices. Changes in the location of dental practices without the prior consent of a manpower officer are to be prohibited by the Dentists Employment Order, 1943, which was gazetted yesterday. Interhouse Dance. The Wairarapa Interhouse Association will hold another of its popular dances in the Masonic Hall, Masterton, tonight. The music will be supplied by Ashton’s Orchestra and novelty dances will be held. National Party Meetings. The National Party candidate for the Masterton seat, Mr G. H. Mackley, held two enthusiastic meetings yesterday. In the afternoon, at Atea, he met electors at the residence of Mr J. P. Pedersen. In the evening, Mr Mackley spoke at Nireaha to a largely-attended meeting. Mr J. Daysh was in the chair. A vote of thanks and confidence in Mi’ Mackley was passed on the motion of Mr A. Holloway. Soldiers and Politics.

A soldier correspondent has asked whether a member of the armed forces in uniform, attending a political meeting, can address questions to a candidate or whether he is debarred by regulations from doing so. The Masterton Returning Officer states that, subject to any military law there may be on the subject, he sees no reason whatever why a soldier should not ask a candidate (whatever be the rank of the candidate) any question touching politics. The candidate is there, not in a military capacity, but purely in a civilian role.

Praise Meeting. The Salvation Army Band marched through Queen Street, Masterton, last night to celebrate the surrender of Italy. Spirited marches were played by the band and a street “praise meeting” followed. There was a large attendance of the public and men of the Allied Forces. The Divisional Commanders, Brigadier and Mrs Gray, were present. Bro. Adderson led the gathering in prayer. The band played “Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow” and Brigadier Gray read Psalm 150. Major Stone said that the prayers had played a part in the victory.

Free Kindergarten Council. At the monthly meeting of the council of the Masterton Free Kindergarten Association, Mrs C. J. Williams presided over a good attendance of members. It was decided to apply to the Borough Council for permission to hold a “street day” on Friday, October 8. It was reported that good progress was being made in providing children’s garments for the proposed shop day. A letter was read from the Minister of Education congratulating the council on its financial position and on the policy of fostering interest in the establishment of a free kindergarten in Masterton. He assured the council that as soon as conditions permitted Masterton would receive every consideration in the ngatter of the establishment of a kindergarten.