LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 September 1943, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Address at Eketahuna. Mr G. H. Mackley, National Party candidate for the Masterton seat, addressed a large meeting at Eketahuna last night. On the motion of Mr A. H. Herbert, seconded by Mr Mason, he was accorded a vote of thanks by acclamation. Successful Dance. The Masonic Hall was crowded last night when the Maori Interhouse girls’ team held a most successful dance. Mr I. Askew was a capable M.C. and the music was supplied by the Maori After-Beat Orchestra. A Monte Carlo waltz was won by Mr T. Massey and Miss R. Chorley. Supper was served by the Maori and the Hospital Interhouse teams. The next dance will be held on November 11. Improvements at West School. The joint committees of the Masterton West School and the Home and School Association met in the Masterton West Schoo] last night and discussed matters in connection with the proposed ground improvements at the Masterton West School. Mr H. L. Esau outlined the plans for the improvements, which included cricket pitches. Matters in connection with the proposed gala day at the school on, March 4 were discussed, and it was decided that the two committees meet again on December 1 to further discuss matters relating to the welfare of the school. The ladies’ committee was accorded a vote of thanks for having provided the supper. Bad Lambing Season. Thousands of lambs are lying dead throughout Canterbury in one of the worst seasons experienced by sheepfarmers for years. The stock superintendent of the Department of Agriculture at Christchurch, Mr E. Elphick, said yesterday that the long spell of wet weather experienced throughout the South Island would have a serious effect not only on meat production but also on the quality of wool. One farmer reported that though he had 200 more ewes than last season his lamb production would be less. Apart from the death roll, said Mr Elphick, the position regarding feed was also serious. Cattle were also suffering as a result of the fodder position, and if that position did not improve there was sure to be a milk shortage. Pig Prices. It was announced at Whangarei yesterday by the Minister of Marketing, Mr Barclay, that, after consultation with the Stabilisation Commission, it had been decided to guarantee pig producers that the present winter and summer price schedules for baconer and porker pigs would be maintained for at least two full seasons. “This means, in effect,” said Mr Barclay, “that these prices are guaranteed to producers for the period October 1, 1943, to September 30, 1945. In addition, the heads on the basis for porkers will be continued throughout this period, whereas last season they were on heads of the basis for the summer months.” Negotiations were now taking place with the Australian Government which, it was' hoped, would secure increased supplies of grain at prices not in excess of the December 15 level, and probably somewhat lower, Mr Barclay said. Given Leave to Work on Farm. Following an application for special leave to assist hei’ mother on a farm in the Wairarapa made by a girl student at the Training College, the Wellington Education Board, at a meeting this week, granted the girl a month’s leave, and decided to ask the Minister of National Service to try to secure labour for the farm. It was stated that the farm was carrying from 70 to 75 cows, a number of pigs and a few sheep, and was worked by the only remaining son of the family, an elder son having been killed in action. Last year the production on the farm was 13,0001 b butterfat from 50 cows on 81 ■ acres, and since then the property had ' been increased by an extra 47 acres , and by from 20 to 25 cows. The , mother, a widow, in addition to keep- < ing house; looked after an invalid j daughter. Reports indicated that the girl student, who had been at the Training College since the beginning of the year, was making good progress, ■ and wished to continue her career as J a teacher. The chairman of the Wai- : rarapa Primary Production Council had 1 said that it was impossible for the j council to find labour to assist. I

Maori Triplets. ? For only the second time on record Maori triplets have been born in New Zealand, on this occasion to Mr and Mrs Tuhoro, Otorohanga. The triplets, - now just over one week old, were soon . after birth named Peter, James and i John, and weighed respectively 41b, . 411 b and 51b at birth. All are doing : well. Table Tennis Championships. The annual table tennis championships in connection with the Winter . Sports Club will take place on Monday night. The standard of play this season has been very good and some closely contested games should be witnessed. Club members expect Messrs H. Myers, J. Haywood, P. Greenlees, J. Daniell and N. Myers and Miss Lochore and Mrs Myers to provide sparkling table tennis. Democratic Labour Candidate. “It is curious the number of people who have questioned the practicability of a H per cent interest rate. All sorts of objections have been raised. They become rather deflated when I point out that in New York, the sacred city of usury, the American Government is able to borrow millions of dollars at | per cent. Mr Nash, of course, has never heard of interest free money. The credit societies of Sweden have evidently escaped his notice. But I suppose he is a busy man.” —Aircraftman Donald Thompson, Democratic Labour Party candidate for the Masterton seat, speaking at Clareville last night. Mr H. J. McKenzie presided. The candidate was accorded a vote of thanks. No Christmas or New Year Cards. “Letters from prisoners of war have indicated that the sending to them of Christmas and New Year cards and calendars has, in past , years, caused considerable delay in the delivery of their ordinary letters,” said the PostmasterGeneral. Mr Webb, yesterday. “In view of this it has been decided, in the interests of the recipients, to prohibit the sending of such articles to prisoners.” Mr Webb stated that the United Kingdom authorities were taking similar action. Mr Webb also stated that in view of the existing situation in Italy recent postings of parcels and letters for New Zealand prisoners in that country had been forwarded to London so that the correspondence could, if necessary, be redirected and sent on from there. That course would be continued till the position was clarified. Shortage of Phosphates. “We could not possibly have done more; in fact, to give the present rate of rationing of fertiliser we are eating into our reserves,” said the Minister of Agriculture (Mr Barclay) when replying at Whangarei yesterday to a statement by the National candidate for Marsden, Mr Murdoch, that phosphates were available in Tunisia. Phosphate was available in Tunisia, Mr Barclay stated, but there were no ships to carry it to New Zealand. “The last cable I sent before leaving Wellington to come north was to the United States pointing out that unless ships were allowed to bring additional phosphates to this country it would not be possible to supply the United States forces in the Pacific with the foodstuffs they were wanting. “If we can get the ships we will give you phosphates,” Mr Barclay assured farmers. Operation of Licensing Act. The intention of the Government to appoint a Royal Commission as soon as practicable after the election to inves- ! tigate the operation of the Licensing Act and to make recommendations it ■ considered desirable which would be I submitted to a referendum of the j people, was announced by the Prime : Minister, Mr Fraser, in his speech in ] Wellington last night. Mr Fraser said < he understood the leader of the Na- ] tiongj Party, Mr Holland, had made i some partial promise. The Prime Min- < ister added that he understood that < those responsible for carrying on the i licensing trade were in favour of a ! Royal Commission so that the present ' unrest could be allayed. When the i Minister of Health had had to deal with ( the licensing regulations, he had received the co-operation of the licensing , people. It was felt the whole matter I should be looked into and the Government intended to do that. <