The Age from Melbourne, Victoria, Australia • Page 8

LEADING ARTICLES. THE AGE. TUESDAY. JULY 25. 1030.

DEFENCE IN TWO ABOUT PEOPLE NEWS OF THE DAY Letters To the Editor make the administration of your estate our Responsibility, not your FRIENDS'. Good-Will Mission APPOINT THE EQUITY TRUSTEES COMPANY 472 BOUKKE-STKEET, MELBOURNE. DIRECTORS! Sir gTdward P. Mitchell, K.C.M.O.. K.C..

Chatrmao: 8tr Stephen Uorell. K.B., Vice-cnalrman; Sir Alan Currle. ML.C: K. Herring. K.C.: Allan 8powers.

Esq. Manager: P. R. WOOD. Assistant Manager: ROBERT MONEY.

sr L. O'B. Fleetwood-Smith. Signs of Summer Although the weather conditions are such that artificial means of gaining and maintaining warmth are still be ing generally resorted to, signs of sum mer are not altogether lacking. On July 1.

for instance, L. O. B. Fleetwood- Smith (known to his associates as began his strenuous training schedule for the forthcoming cricket season. For the last five years Australia's left-hand "googly" bowler has had little respite from nrst-ciass criCKet, anu toward the end of last season the mono tony, if not the strain, was beginning to tell.

But after a complete rest of four months, Fleetwood-Smith felt ready to lay the foundations for a successful summer, and so the plan went into operation. It takes some degree of will power to rise at 6 a.m. with the land-scane covered with a thick white coating of frost, don a pair of flannels and a sweater, and then go for a nve-mue run along the beach. During the icy break when the temperature was close to freezing point, Fleetwood-Smith admitted that the warm bedclothes felt like very dear friends, from whom he was loath to part, but nevertheless he went through with it. Last week, however, he wa forced to forsake his win-try beach.

While running along the sands his foot struck a rock, bruising his heel, and a few days' rest is required. He expects to resume this week, and when the weather becomes warmer, and the danger of injuring cold muscles less, he will supplement this training with gymnasium work consisting ofj set exercises and wrestling. And Fleet- wood-Smitn is only a slow bowler Dear Uncle George! Something of the old-time vaudeville atmosphere has pervaded the Tivoli since George Robey took over the star dress- In tt room at this theatre. One of his first acts behind scenes was to establish good fellowship with the stage hands, and a violinist in the orchestra is now playing a fiddle made by the comedian. On Sunday, Mr.

Robey took a turn round the docks, and visited the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The famous oval dellahted him. and as he looked round the ground in its winter dress he remarked, "But fancy their allowing football to be played here." Numerous letters are reaching the celebrity every aay. une, wnicn oegan, uear uncie George," and enclosed a photograph ol a KODey "granaiatner, was particularly puzzling, as a matter 01 ract, Robey was not the comedian's original name. He was born Georee Edward Wade, and changed his name by deed poll for professional reasons.

A Joke in London has connected George Robey with Amir of Trans jor da nia, who bears a striking resemblance to the Englishman, and who came to London some years ago with the express purpose of seeing King George, Lloyd George and George Robey I Such is fame and fortune in the life of a funny man of 70. SPHERES Holland's New Cabinet Considerations of defence In strategy and finance in the central Pacific, as well as In northerri Europe, appear to have helped to close the Dutch Ministerial hiatus precipitated last month by the resignation of Dr. Colijn's Cabinet. Dr. Colijn is now reported to have formed, after considerable difficulty, a new Government, composed "mostly of business men." Differences of opinion In relation to loan-money financing of defence and unemployment relief works were said to have led to resignation of the previous Ministry.

Dr. Colijn was asked almost immediately to form a new Ministry, but when diffcultles arose Queen Wilhclmina was subsequently stated to have offered a commission to Dr. Koolen, a Catholic party leader. This move evidently dtd not solve the problem, for a message from The Hague last week stated that Dr. co i was con sulting various non-nolitlcal leaders with a view 10 lorming a national uovernment which, It was the regal wish, should regard defence as one of the first problems to be tackled.

Coupled with that message was the forecast that the new Ministry would give early consideration to the building of four battle cruisers for the Dutch East indies defence. Holland, while watching with some uneasiness German and Japanese expan- DR. COLIJN. Ision, has also exhibited some diplomatic perturbation at mention of her name in conjunction with the Anglo-Russian pact negotiations. Dr.

Colijn has been Prime Minister since 1933. After serving In the army as a young man, he was secretary to the Governor of Dutcn East Indies in 1907. Home In Holland he was Minister of War In 1911-13. and Minister of Ma rine as well in 1912-13. He was Minis ter of Finance in 1923-25, and nrst be came Prime Minister in 1925-26.

He was a delegate to the World Economic Con ference. Geneva, in 1927. Dr. D. Koolen Is a barrister and doc tor of iaws, as well as a politician.

Born in 1871 two years after Dr. Colijn he graduated at Utrecht University. Previous portfolios he has administered include that of Minister of Labor. Trade and Industry In 1925-26. He became a member of the Council of State in 1926.

PORT-CONSCIOUS' Training of Children Can we make the children of Greater Melbourne "port conscious We have a splendid bay, with three fine ports within it, and plant under the control of the Harbor Trust, which is full of interest to young people. Vet, unless their fathers be profession' ally or commercially associated with port life, few metropolitan young people inspect the port, know how it is governed or recognise any of its machinery with, perhaps, the exception of the dredges seen on an occasional trip "down the Bay." Probably not one child In a thousand could name the chairman of the Harbor Trust or one in ten thousand the mileage of wharfs over which the trust has control. It Is remarkable that a great utility wmcn nas its romance ana colorful history just as have other utilities, Is merely a name to voune Mel burn ians: and only Port Melbourne and Williams- town ta tee any active pride in tne port of a mighty city. Melbourne, however, Is not unique In its lack ot imagination in relation to the youth of a capital and their port. Lon don 11 sen nas oniy just wotce up.

Mo: untu June this year did the nrst of a series oi eaucauonai trips ior tne young organised by the Port of London Authori ty, take place. The trio was made in June by 900 children from London and East Anglian schools on board the padde steamer Laguna Belle; and In the lan guage of the man in the street, "was enjoyed by- all." Luckily there were 36 great ocean-going vessels the great Keen juvenile interest in a ship's binnacle. docks Inspected as the paddle steamer made its way In dockland. There was a commentator, equipped with a loud speaker, on deck, and he explained everything within eyeshot of the boat, to the deeply Interested youngsters. Melbourne Is not London one has to walk 12 miles to get round the quav of the Royal Dock I and the Melbourne Harbor Trust has not the resources of Its opposite number overseas.

Yet there is something In the experiment which sets the intelligent citizen of Greater Mel bourne thinking. The port belongs to the people and In due time the people's cnuarcn win own it. wny not interest the children in their heritage by an occasional excursion In the spring or summer to which children could be in vited A modest but well-thought-out beginning could oe made during Melbourne Carnival period in October and Hovemoer. Hottelt for Youths A definite advance in the movement to1 establish a chain of youth hostels In Victoria in the near future Is aimed at by the promoters of Health Week. En thusiasts behind the plan to enable young people to secure Inexpensive over night shelter while hiking or cycling tnrougn tne country nave tne successful experience of pioneers of the movement on the Continent to guide them.

An attempt will oe made here to enrol about 1000 members so that the venture will be on a sound financial basis. About four hostels will be proposed to provide plain accommodation for 40 or 60 persons, with facilities lor cooking meals and a common room lor community entertainment, I 1 rsSsnr The Governor received an official call from the chief of the Air Staff (Air Vice-Marshal 8. J. Coble) at Govern ment House yesterday. The Governor, attended by members ot the personal staff, was the guest of the Government of Victoria at a dinner at Parliament House last night.

Representing the Governor, Capt. R. B. C. Mortimer, A.D.C., returned the call on members of the Military Board yesterday morning.

Lady Ougan, accompanied by Miss Marjorlo Forbes, was the guest of Mrs. A. A. Dunstan at luncheon yesterday. The Prime Minister (Mr.

Menzles) and the Minister of Defence (Mr. Street) will leave Melbourne for Sydney to-day. The Premier (Mr. Dunstan) and eight other Ministers attended a meeting of the Executive Council yesterday, over which the Governor (Sir Winston Dugan) pre sided for the first time. The Minister of the Interior (Senator Foil) will Inspect the Hume weir on Thursday as chairman of the Murray River Commlislon.

Messrs. K. Stribllng (Guroa), and. J. J.

Leonard (Dunnstown) have been ap pointed Justices of the peace. The Chief Inspector of Mines (Mr. P. Wagstaff) has been appointed chair man of the Board of Examiners for Mining Engine Drivers, and a member of the Bendlgo Creek Trust, in the place ol the late Mr. S.

J. Prowse. Mr. WagstafI will also act as Chief Inspector of Boil ers, vice Mr. George Waters, who Is on retiring leave.

Mr. William Kingston, Inspector of Mines, has been appointed a member of the Board of Examiners for Mining Engine Drivers. Mr. J. T.

Packer has been reappointed chairman of the Milk Board for three years. The Australian Broadcasting Commis sion Is arranging to bring to Australia a celebrity talker in Dr. R. A. Mlllikan, the eminent scientist.

He was the discoverer of cosmic rays, and Is the head of the California Institute of Technology which is located at Pasadena. Dr. Mlllikan will arrive in Sydney on September 17. At a reunion of officers and members of the Fourth Divisional Signals (militia forces) held at the Signal Depot, Albert Park, It was decided to organise an old boys' association. A committee was formed, Mr.

C. L. Scholtz being elected president and Mr. Cyril Steele hon. sec- retary.

Past members of the unit are asked to get into touch with the com mittee. The reunion will be an annual function. Reference to the late Dr. D. McLean, of Brighton, who died at Ipswich, Queensland, on Sunday, while on a holi day visit, was made yesterday at St.

Kilda court, where he sat as an honorary Justice for many years, Mr, Pyvis, P.M., Mr. W. Young, J.P., Mr. F. O'Leary, for the bar, and Senior Constable Stanbury, for the police, expressed regret at Dr.

McLean death. Mr. H. J. Maynard, branch secretary of the Mutual Life and Citizens' Assur ance Company Limited, who Is leaving shortly on a six months' holiday trip to Europe and America, was at a recent staff gathering presented with a travelling clock and a dressing case.

Mr. E. E. O'Grady, P.M., has been appointed chairman of the Tramways Ap peal Board, In the place of Mr. J.

K. Freeman. P.M., who resigned. Mr. J.

T. Kerley, the newly appointed chairman ot the Charities Board of Vic toria, called on the Premier (Mr. Dun stan) yesterday. Police promotions approved yesterday were: Inspector J. H.

B. Wagener to be Superintendent, Sub-Inspector de ia Rue to be Inspector, Second Sergeant A. L. Lee to be First Sergeant, and Senior-Constable J. Heraud to be Second Sergeant.

Superintendent J. H. B. Wagener, for merly deputy cnief of the Criminal In vestigation Branch and senior Inspector of police In the Metropolitan district, took over the command of the Midland district, with head quarters at Mary borough, yesterday. Superintendent Wagener succeeds the late Superinten dent A.

C. H. Welch, who died three weeks ago. Mr. O.

R. Dlckoson, managing director of Austin Distributors returned to Melbourne at the week end, after making a business trip to Sydney by air. Mr. Robert Nathan has been appointed chairman of Industrial Acceptance Cor. poratlon Ltd.

to nil the vacancy caused by the death of his brother, Mr. J. Na than. THIRD-PARTY INSURANCE Right of Motorists Further consideration has been given! by the Fire and Accident Underwriters' Association to the Third Party Insur ance Bill now before Parliament. The general secretary (Mr.

E. E. Vines) said yesterday that It was considered to be or paramount Importance that the motorist should retain the right to deal direct with Insurance offices. The nomination of Insurance offices at the Motor Registration department and the completion ot over 1000 Insur ances per day In that office. Mr.

Vines declared, meant added expense to the motorist Concentration In one office also meant delay. If the business were done direct with an Insurance office a certificate of Insurance would be Issued forthwith and forwarded by the motor ist with his registration fee, as was done in Queensland, Tasmania and South Australia. About 80 offices would then be doing the business With trained staffs at a minimum of expense. "All insurance offices have given an undertaking to the Government to ac cept all risks unconditionally." Mr. Vines added, "and all they ask Is that the Government will take the responsi bility of restricting the reckless drivers as mucn as possible, insurance offices win willingly assist In this dlrecton Insurance offices will be seriously embarrassed if insurances are completed through the Motor Registration depart-1 mem, oecause tney win oe committed to unaesiraoie risks ror some, unspecified time without having the opportu nity of safeguarding their Interests.

If proposals are made direct to the In surance office they are in an Immediate position to deal with the risk." A Brighter City Borne Idea of what Melbourne streets will look like during the annual Spang carnival, If business houses make a gener ous response to the committee's appeal for a brighter city, was gained last night when two floral baskets and a number of flower boxes were Illuminated at the Melbourne Town Hall. The colored baskets were suspended from windows on the second floor, and the boxes were placed In prominent positions, where they would be visible to passers-by. The organiser oi the carnival (Mr. J. uravestockl and members ot the com mittee wno were present when the Ugnts were switched on commented favoraolv on the color scheme, and paid a tribute to the work of the City Curator (mr.

j. -i: omitni. wno was resnonsiDie ior preparing tne oaaicets ana boxes. In the Shadow of Bogong Victorian industry and Victorian homes are demanding more power to run the ever-in creasing number of electrical devices being put on the market. To meet the demand the Government has developed a scheme for tapping the resources of the Bogong High Plains, which rest 5000 feet above sea level in the shadow of Mount Bogong.

An oScer oi the State Electricity Commission. Mr. E. Bate, speaking at a luncheon of thei Constitutional Club yesterday, outuneq this great scheme which will, he said, Increase the annual production of elec tricity in this State substantially, and at, the same time open up to our young sportsmen the finest skl-ing grounds in; tne wnoie oi Australia. Aimuugu me two lakes on the High Plains have oniy a tnt.nl nrpn at 18 sauare miles, thev are potentially of great value, due to their height above sea level and the great head of water which is obtainable.

All the stream for miles around will oe tapped and four stations will produce a now oi electric current reBrme i droughts. In times oi pientuui rain- fail the turbines will worK iuu pressure, thus taking some of the load off Yallourn and saving coal. Business Agents Complaints have been made to the State Treasury, with which business agents require to be licensed and deposit a fidelity bond of 500, concerning the practices of certain agents when pur porting to sell little businesses to people of small means. The gravamen of the complaints is almost invariably the same after the money has been paid and the contract signed, the business is found to be not what it was represented to be. either by advertisement or verbal state ment, although frequently within the strict letter of the signed contract.

The Treasury officer who is responsible fori the control of the fidelity bonds pointed out yesterday that the victims have the right, where misrepresentation can oe proved, to appeal to a- court for a refund of the money, or cancellation of the contract or both, in certain cir cumstances. If the court makes an order and the money Is not paid, application may then be made to the Trea sury for payment of the sum due out of the agent's bond. Where the facts show that the agent has made a practice of duping innocent and honest people, renewal of the agent's licence may be opposed or refused. Verbal misrepresentations alone are freauentlv difficult to prove in the absence ot witnesses, ine tendency of the courts Is to apply in business transactions, the legal phrase caveat emptor let the buyer beware presupposing that buyers should take the reasonaDie precaution oi tesung ana examining the truth of claims made. Time Marches On Modern shipping Interests must not imagine that they have had a complete monoply of the worry resulting from dif ficulties In navigating the River Yarra At present the Public Works Committee is taking evidence on the need of lower ing the sewer tunnel under the river to enable the depth to be increased, and It has been given some hair-raising ex amples of the dangers accruing from the existing conditions.

Evidence has also been given of the steady growth in the size of shins which have souaht to un load tneir cargo nearer tne neart oi the city than tne piers at Port Mel- oourne ana winiamstown Mr, w. v. Swanton, a representative of the Overseas ShiDDine Representatives' Associa tion, in ills eviaence, maae it ciear tnat the trouble caused by the turgid old Yarra in its meanderings to the sea, is by no means of recent origin. He re-; called being associated with the agents for an 800-ton windjammer, which was! brought up the river to load several! thousand tons of wool. This gave the ship a draught or 14 feet, and Mr.

swan ton nas vivid memories 01 nis cmei ana himself running, one on each bank, on either side of the shin as it moved down stream, fearing every moment that it wouia oecome a nxture in ine muaay bottom. He did not explain just what the pair would have done if what they feared had occurred. The incident was in 1882 time truly marches on. ABOARD THE NEW MAURETANIA Maiden Voyage (From Our Special Correspondent) SOUTHAMPTON, July 7. For twenty-two years the old Moure tan ia held the blue riband of the Atlantic, till it was wrested from her by the Bremen.

The new Mauretania left New York on June 30, and was followed a couple of hours later by the some old Bremen, which overtook her the following morning ohd raced on ahead. Yet there was no ill-feeling towards the Bremen. The new Mauretania is an intermediate ship, planned for a seven-day crossing of the Atlantic, and although she did "well over" twenty-five knots at her trials, there are undoubtedly reserves of strength, the details of jwhich not even a Philadelphia lawyer could drag from the engineers, The old Mauretania was one of those well-loved ships with a personality; sen timent still attaches to her name, so much so that in order to preserve the name a little packet steamer called the Mauretania nas been puffing round the Isle of Wight for some vears waiting for the building of this new Atlantic liner. captain Arthur T. Brown, in command of the new Mauretania, joined her old namesake as third officer on her first voyage from Liverpool in November, 19U7.

He took the old snip on her last voyage from Southampton to Rosyth to oe oroKen up. "Handles Like a Yacht" Ot this new ship he says, "She lsi steady, and handles like a yacht. There! Is no vibration, and on both the maiden voyages from Liverpool to Mew York, and. from New York to Southampton, every body officers, passengers and crew; went round looking tor creaks. They did not fine any of these annoyances." But what did the passengers And 1 A modern ship, finished throughout with modern comforts, and tourist and third- class cabins and public rooms to whlcn special attention has been given.

The new Mauretania proved herself to be a fine, steady ship. When the Atlantic was on It best behavior, with a flat, grey calm, there have been times when the ship was so steady that It was like a noiei at tne seasiae. wnen tne ocean was tempestuous, the ship rolled and rolled to the accompaniment of crashing crockery. A pea-soup fog, and a snowy Iceberg happened along to vary the monotony. Decorative Wood The outstanding feature ol the decora tive scheme Is the use of natural light-Drown and deep honey-toned woods for panels, stair rails and columns.

In the cocktail lounge the walls are of olive ash and blrdseye maple. A raised terract in the lounge Is set oft by columns of Australian walnut and a rosewood balus trade. In all the public rooms of the caoln class, little plaques give the names oi tne woods used, tnereny answering belore they are asked the questions which inevitably rise to the lips. The furnishings throughout harmonise with the color scheme set by the woods and whether the chair coverings are leather or fabric, they are In perfect THE EUROPEAN CRISIS Mr. R.

A. Crouch seems to have over looked the fact that the Czechoslovak lan territory which Poland annexed was peopled by Slavs, and was originally Polish, whereas that taken by Hitler had never been part of the German Empire, and of peoples of various nationalities, mainly non-Teutonic. I do not dispute that Danzig is a Ger man city, but its independence Is vital to Poland, and therefore to us. For if that country were brought under Nazi domination Hitler would then be free to turn his attention to the western front, secure In the knowledge that he was Immune from attack in the' rear. In any case, does Danzig wish to enter the Reich doubt that its Inhabitants have been consulted; rather would it appear that Hitler is bent on seizing it, irrespective of the wishes of its people.

Your correspondent says that there are Germans separated from Germans. True; but there are also Poles in Silesia separated from Poles. Has the Full re sug gested any revision oi oounaanes nere 7 JbJtstJUivi cruris wick j. Britain's Foreign Policy For centuries Britain has maintained the European balance of power through the disunity of her rivals. Since Italy and Germany allied together and the latter absorbed Austria and Czechoslovakia, that balance has swung perilously against Britain.

Hence her determination to fight for Danzig is the corner stone of her new policy of commitments; whether it will stem the tide of German hegemony is a moot point. It must be admitted in all candor that the impulses behind German and Italian oreams of expansion exist, or have existed in all nations. One trouble which most students experience in judging the present crisis arises from the tendency to assume that the greatest good Is to be insured from the present conditions now in existence, ana tne status quo Is the end and object of the nrocess of evolution. Britain's guarantees to Rouma-nia, Turkey, Greece and Poland, while a valiant enort to reorganise tne shattered balance of power, are fraught with dire Deril if thev are to be Mmulemented. Therefore I agree with Mr.

Crouch that some gesture of friendship should bz made to Germany and war avoided at au costs. vh-ia tAioert farK). The Unemployment Debate The above debate in the Legislative As sembly ended just as it was predicted it would. Nothing was done, it was just talked out Is It, then, generally accepted that Parliamentary debates are Just a joke; mat Parliamentary Government in terms of service is a sham and a farce, without programme, without soui, wunuut moral vaiue une almost wishes that an Australian Cromweil would arise, and on behalf of the mass of the people, say to these well-housed, well-paid gentlemen these eloquent elec toral strategists, "Begone Talked out, indeed 1 If this will sort of thing continues the need will provide the man. It has already done so in several other countries.

The practical anDlication of the solu tion of the world problem of widening the financial bridge between need and supply cannot be much longer postponed. The challenge is definite, inescnpablc. It is amazing that the inevitable remedy Is still not applied in Australia. A PROSPECTOR (Myrtleford). Room for Apprentices "The Age" is to be complimented on its common sense and practical approach to the youth employment problem.

Last week's Inter-State Conference was dis appointing, in that it did not appear to lace up to the situation In a practical manner. The figures Quoted in your article on apprenticeship tramlng indicate that in several trades which are short of trades. men tne allowable proportions of apprentices are not being engaged, while at the same time the number of lad operatives and laborers employed does not appear to be restricted. Why query the absorptive capacity or the plumbing and gasnttlng trade, which appears to have registered only 372 apprentices over a period of 8 or 0 years? In the cls-slfled section of the telephone directory auu master piumoers are listed, strange, ly enough, as another correspondent pointed out, those trades which cannot absorb all the tradesmen available, such as the boot trade, are most anxious to engage apprentices. R.

PARKINSON (nawtnorm. Planting Native Trees While appreciating Mr. J. L. Mcnzlcs'i comments, ,1 feel that he cannot be conversant with the work of the Victoriau Tree Planters' Association, nor of that done by the C.R.B.

and Mr. J. T. Smith, Curator of Melbourne Parks and Gardens. The latter gentleman Is an ardent advocate of manv of our eucalvnts and other trees, and Is Installing then wherever suitable conditions exist in street plantations, parks, The Tree i-ianiers- Association has enabled many municipalities to establish plantations of Australian trees suitable to the zones on which they are established.

I do agree, however, that much more could be done to' interest and educate the average citizen in the worth of our native flora, and urge that a reserve re established, within close proximity to the city, wherein such Australians as the flowering eucalypts of 40 varieties, in colors of scarlet, pink, red. yellow, gold and white, as well as many of our other trees In their variety, should be on view at all times for the interest of the tourist and the Instruction of our own people. Our fauna Is now being Installed in protected parks, and I feel that our unique flora should be equally demonstrated. JAMES RAILTON (Melbourne). Protection for Clienti It was with great satisfaction that I saw in Monday's issue of "The Age" that the prospects are favorable for the oo-vernment adopting the bill enforcing amongst solicitors auditing and the build ing up of a luno to reimburse bj for embezzlements.

There are sound reasons for legislation on the lines which the Law tio-clety of England has now adopted. In addition I would like the profession-to realise that it will so greatly Inoreass the confidence ot the public, once embezzlement losses have been made Rood; that the money which the profession will aakA1 tn nrnvlriff Will In mnlltV 0e sound Investment. E. W. MUMME (Lit tle Flinders-street).

End of the Moratorium I have read with much interest the letter from "Hopeful," and agree entirely with his view. Conditions to-day are certainly worse as far as I am concerned, and I am not bv anv means alone. If the interest on my property reverts to 8 per cent. I know posu vcv that after all my struggling to keep things going I must lose all I have. Rurelv In anu rnnRnnnhle-mfndcd Per son 8 per cent.

Is extortionate. No interest should ever be allowed to exceed 8 per cent. Why dops not tne uovernment introauce rArinelns nil interest, on contracts of sale or mortgages to that limit If the original vendors or mortgagees are to be allowed to revert to per cent, interest, tnen nunareua inclose their properties and all they hart put In. 1 nope our Labor leaders at events wUl stand for the right thins this most urcent problem. MOBi- uauuk (Ascot vaie).

The Tobacco War As after Ave months' effort 1 emtio not persuade the chairman and committee to appeal to Parliament, 1 have tendered my resignation TM committee seems to be more easer take over office from the existing tail Tobacconists' Association than i deal with the main Issue Immediately. 1 am not Opposed to that course, oui would take a year or two. even if cessful. Why not try Parliament ni ask for legislation 7 We can never ninrM nff than u-a ara at nrCSCW. JOE KLEINMAN, Sx-Member oi the Re form Committee, The Chief Secretary (Mr.

Bailey) has granted the request by the New Zealand Uovernment for a loan of six kooka burras, four kangaroos and four walla-! bies for exhibition at the New Zealand centennial exhibition at Wellington in November. The animals will be returned when the exhibition is over. Mr. Bailey! has been obliged, however, to decline a similar request for twelve koalas, three lyre birds, three native cats and twelve squirrels. It has been pointed out that these creatures are exceedingly rare and sensitive, thriving only in natural con-j dltions.

Any exportation of specimens of them would be contrary to public and resented by naturalists. The lyre oiras, too, win oe moulting in and therefore unsuitable for exhibition at that time. The koalas, being ex- ceeaingiy sny ana aeucate, iret unaer sea transport conditions and public exhibition of the kind. Native cats are phenomenally shy, and even under natural conditions, in mountain forests, take cover by day, coming out only at night. Tale of a Shellback I Rarely does one hear of a captain of a British sailing ship refusing to accept a command in steam.

Usually It is looked upon as the height of ambition. But an exception is Captain W. Beale, who returned to Australia from trip aboard the freighter Port Towns- ville yesterday. After serving for eleven years in the Elginshire, Kildalton, Kirk- dale and Lord Shaftesbury, at the age of! 25 he was given command of the four-masted barque Almora, then In the ni trate trade. Fourteen months later, when the barque, along with the rest of the company's fleet, was sold.

Captain Beale eleven times round Cape Horn, and of a sailing ship family for generations refused an offer in steam, and instead joined the British Imperial Army. Soon the war broice out. and as captain and adjutant in a Welsh horse regiment he served in Gallipoli and Palestine. When he retired from the army he came to Sydney to live. Now, however, his son has gone to sea, but in steam he is a caaet on tne uurns, fnup steamer Aiar-ella.

New Bombing Technique Citizens may draw whatever comfort they can from the fact that bombs rare ly strike the object they are aimed at. This assurance was given at a meeting of Royal Automobile Club members yes terday by Mr. N. C. Harris, acting Chief Railways Commissioner, and chairman of the transport section of the State Emergency committee.

The words ot Mr. Harris, wnicn are oasea on observations made of bombing raids in Spain and China, nromntcd one member of thei audience to recall a collision between two pedestrians, one afflicted with a pronounced cast in both eyes. The crosseyed one demanded angrily why the other did not look where he was going, to which he received the bland reply, "Why don't you go where you are look ing." The story may or may not have had any bearing on the subject of air raids. Citizens, however, would welcome the further assurance that enemy air gunners with evil intent would never achieve any better success with their bombs by aiming at an object they did not want to nit. Traffic "Roundabouts" To select a suitable intersection at which to conduct an experiment with the "roundabout" traffic system, the chairman of the traffic committee (Cr, T.

Kerr), Cr, T. S. Nettlefold and the chief bv-laws officer (Mr. M. O'Toole) will make an inspection of the city to morrow auernoon.

on nis return from a recent trips overseas Cr. Nettlefold stated that he was deeply impressed by the success of the "roundabout" system in Great Britain, and considered that it should be given a trial in Melbourne to relieve tramc congestion, it was originally proposed to instal a "roundabout at the southern approach to the Hoddle-bridge, but engineers declared the plan impracticable because they considered the road was not of sufficient width for the purpose. Members of the council who strongly favor the installation of "roundabouts" claim they ensure a smooth now of tramc and eliminate irritating delays. its maiden voyage. Inset the Cunard-White Star Line.

tions taken to deal with the horror of "fire at sea." The passengers included the chairman of the Cunard White Star line (Sir Percy Bates) and Lady Bates, who launched the Mauretania last year. No doubt thev. too, will treasure the signed scroll which was presented to everybody as a memento of the maiden voyage. Also on board! were John Steele, for many years the London representative of the Chicago -iTioune, wno gave tnree broadcasts to America during the vovaee from Liver pool to New York; several executive offi-l cers of the Cunard line and travellers who had crossed the Atlantle In the old Mauretanla's maiden voyage and Joined tne new snip ior sentimental reasons. Crossing "The Pond" As was only natural, a good deal of the1 conversation during this second Atlantic crossing of the new Mauretania was of ships and shipping, of old Scottish engin eers, who needed a knowledge of fisticuffs! as well as of engineering In order to hold their own of the change from coal to oil; of the captain's hobby of carving models of old ships; of the days of the war, when the old MauVetanla was a troop ship; of voyages to Iceland In small vessels and the manner In which new sea leviathans are planned In the marine arcniiecis omce; ot submarines and sailing ships, of fogs In the North Atlantic and all the talk that was prefaced with "I remember when was salty with tht tang of the sea And those younger ones, whose mm morles did not go back to other days and umei- snips, revenea in tne excitement of this "maiden vovase" Dlaved Rhuftip uuara on cne sun aecx.swam in uie r.nerl swimming pool, drank cocktails with their ieet on tne brass rail in the cncictAii rur wrote countless letters, attended the cinema and danced the latest rhumba.

They celebrated the 4th July with the popping of champagne corks and danced some more; they walked their miles round the promenade deck and bicycled and went nurse oacK rmtnn in tne nrnn.i iim- thev pretended to read new novel. nri curiea up unaer their rugs and went to nieeD on cnairs in npniiiriefl Mirnnn- they attended life belt drill and found it rainer interesting, and they glanced only casually at the copies of the ship's newspaper, wondering the while, perhaps, what Hitler would no next. But life on board ship, especially on maiden vovage. does not tend to sen. ous thinking; arguments on International politics are likely to fade out on arowsy yawn.

Ana so tne snip came to Cherbourg In the rain and Southampton In a sud den burst of sunshine. One more a Mauretlna Is afloat to cross and recross the Atlantic as her old namesake did for so many year, A MODERN LINER 3 TO-DAY'S ISSUE! CONSISTS OF 16 PAGES. NOTICE. It 1. requested that all business communlca Uuna he addressed to the General Manager or to David Syme and "The Age" Once, or to Box 257C, O.P.O., Melbourne, C.l.

Telephone NXI731. MELBOURNE. TUESDAY. JULY 23, 1939. CLEARING THE WAY Although another meeting of the Prime Minister and the Labor Advisory Committee is arranged for to-day, it is apparent that sub' stantial progress in removing misapprehensions respecting the Na tional Register has been made.

The fact that discussions started last Friday have continued until this stage suggests a very thorough exploration, and augurs well for a satisfactory outcome. If, as seems likely, the conference proves successful in clearing the air, It will be a tribute alike to the patience and good temper of Ministers, as well as to the sense of responsibility of Labor leaders and industrial spokesmen. In such situations, a round-table ialk among men who can get to common terms frequently is the best method of discovering the higher interests held In common, and sweeping away minor dif ferences that threaten to sunder, There is a hopeful note in the Prime Minister's reference toj "some success" in the process of clarification. After even the firm positive assurances of the Minis ter of Defence a fortnight ago, It seemed incredible, that any candid mind could harbor suspicions and misgivings that the special legislation could be abused or twisted Into doing more than! It purported to do. These linger ing fears should now be Anally and completely dispelled.

It may be of more than passing signifi cance that a watchful participant in the discussions has been the Leader of the Federal Labor Party. When the industrial union leaders first adopted an attitude of hostility to the Register, their view was discountenanced by the party's political representatives. who counselled observance of the law and respect for the authority1 of. Parliament as the only proper constitutional course. Should to day's meeting prove to be the last stage in clearing away misunderstanding and unwarranted suspicion, the result, in not Incon siderable degree, may have been due to Mr.

Curtln's moderating influence upon his followers. The Federal Labor leader, Mr. Men- zies states, "realised that the Government could not make a "bargain about the observance of "a Commonwealth law." There Is here an implicit acknowledg ment that good sense and political sagacity were thrown into the scales against mischievous and heedless influences fraught with danger on many grounds. As a result of these talks, the Issue of law-obedience or defiance that was beginning to cause a serious cleavage should now promptly sink out of sight. The average citizen regarded the formal written assurances of the Minister of Defence as sufficiently explicit and binding in all impor tant respects.

If, however, any phase of the undertakings against abuse of the Register or the Supply Act was not made wholly clear, it would be a simple matter to remove the possibility of further doubt. Beyond doing this, no self-respecting Government carrying out what it conceives to be its duty in the preparation of Australia's defences, and having the sanction and concur rence of the National Parliament In doing so, can or should be expected to go. By accepting the Prime Minister's endorsement of his col league's--; written assurances -s settling the whole controversy, the Advisory Committee would take the wise course. It is in the highest degree Important that Australia's preparations to defend Itself should proceed in an atmo sphere undisturbed by dissension. None can foretell the outcome of a world-situation that affords ho sure ground for relenting in measures to defend our own ways of life.

Having obtained ail the positive assurances that they are legitimately entitled to ask, leaders of industrial Labor might reason ably be expected to convey these immediately to the rank and file, so that the taking of the Register may proceed without further fric tion. The "process of clarlnca- "tlon" should be the end of the chapter of resistance and unwise obstruction; there should be a swift abandonment of attempts to defy the law. Acceptance of an obligation which the National Parliament placed on all male citizens from 18 to 65 does not preclude the right of any body of citizens to work in constitutional ways for the amendment or repeal of any law deemed objectionable. But a basic condition of democratic self-government by Parliamentary methods Is that laws duly enacted by the people's sovereign instrument of self-government must be faithfully obeyed. The Victorian Government has agreed 10 a request liy the Commonwealth In- nutut oi anatomy lor the release ol au adult koala heara In tha nwui miici ntrca oi loretc land has been fenced oft about 40 miles irom isaiioerra.

ano it is nopea me Dears wui multiply in ine natural surround Jags. PRACTICAL START WITH FITNESS Allocation of the Federal grant toward the National Fitness Movement will be examined by a meet-1 lng of the State Fitness Council with the Minister of Social Services on Thursday. The Commonwealth Government, In recognition of the value and importance of the campaign, recently agreed to make 100,000 available among the six States, over a five-year period. Although this sum was a mate rial advance compared with its first proposal, the total available, unless supplemented by local efforts, will enforce a concentration upon immediate practicable ob jectives. Activities, at the outset, must be restricted to specific pro mising projects, rather than larger plans calling for subsidisation and ampler resources.

A maximum use will probably have to be made of existing faci lities suitable for launching the campaign. A recent article in these columns directed attention to the opportunity of after-hours use of high schools and technical schools. Some of the former have large modern buildings and spa cious playing areas, which are closed from 4 p.m. till 9 a.m. next day.

The suggestion is that by utilising portion of the buildings and grounds at night for gymna sium and other physical exercises, greater value would be obtained from the public assets represented, At Forrest Hill High School, for example, which has a splendid play-area, and is readily accessible to a large population, flood-light ing of the grounds would prob ably not be prohibitive in cost. The problem at technical schools would be less simple, because of night classes, but much could be done. At Brunswick Technical School, physical culture and gym nastic exercises have been carried out for three years, with the re sult that the school has twice won annual athletic competitions against over a score of similar institutions. There are 30,000 stu dents enrolled at technical schools throughout the State. The suggestion is that a boy or girl attending two evenings a week should be given a third free of charge for physical culture.

If the campaign is to be given substantive form the after-hours usage of school facilities offers the basis of a practical start. Such local fitness centres might be expected to attract past students and other enthusiastic citi zens. The campaign presents an exceptional opportunity for the Melbourne City Council to answer those who regard its assistance to social causes as meagre and dlsproportlone.d to its resources. I By a more generous provision of gymnasiums, buildings and equip ment where scope exists, tne cuty Council would serve one of the highest causes of good citizenship. Having to "cut its coat according to the cloth," the State council might well discuss with the Edu cation authorities after-hours us age of school facilities in suit able areas, where nuclei oi the Fitness Campaign could be brought Into activity.

If the experiment proves successful, existing gymnasiums can be enlarged, additional equipment obtained, and Instructors arranged. By such means, patterns of expanding endeavors would be created.1 Over a year has elapsed since the Fitness Campaign was nrst pro jected? and elaborate organisations have been created. The time is now ripe to start Fitness Centres, wherever practicable, within the means available. Public Interest and enthusiasm will follow a businesslike lead. HARBOR TRUST FOR TAXING Shipper Objects Strong objection to the principle of a public utility being used as a taxing machine, was expressed yesterday oy Mr.

Q. D. Young, shipping agent ana member of the Arm of John Sander son and giving evidence De- fore the public works committee on the proposal to lower the sewerage tunnel under the Yarra River at Spotswood Mr. Young said the practice of requir ing a harbor authority to contribute to consolidated revenue was unique through out the world. Mr.

W. C. Swanton, chairman of the Oversea Shipping Representatives' As sociation, said that until the river was deepened by the lowering of the tunnel and the river widened, full use could never be made of the Appleton. docks, which were now being constructed at large cost. While officially there was a depth of 27 feet of water above the tun-nel, his company would not risk tak ing ships of a greater draught than 26 feet 6 Inches up the river.

As a con sequence many ships which would other wise use the river berths were forced to lift and discharge cargo at Port Melbourne or Wllllamstown. It cost 5d per bale more to lift wool from the Bay ports than from Victoria Dock, owing to the extra transport charges. Consider able Inconvenience and added expense was also caused through inability to navigate tne river at nignc. mis often resulted In long delays to shlrjs. which cost 300 to 400 dally to run, and which were compelled to move Irom port to port, witn ine greatest expeaition, which every hour counted.

Mr. Swanton said his association con sidered it entirely wrong that the Har- oor rrusi snoum oe compelled to contribute 160,000 annually to consolidated revenue. This was eoual la 20 our cent. of the trust's revenue, and should be spent either In reducing wharfage rales or in making Improvements to the port. m.

zuwig staieo mat irom July 1. 1034 until ton OA man no wuin. ov, 00 ves sels Of draught ranging from 26 feet to incnes, naa oeen compelled HIS. By Piers instead of coming rr" wouia nave oeen in addition. 43 passenger vessels which might have done so 11 the rivet had been deepened, were unable to come up the Yarra.

nm neanng was adjourned. The Mauretania setting out on Sir Percy Bates, chairman of taste. Glass and mirror are also used effectively In the decorative scheme. ine tourist and third-class passengers have received consideration which would have been unthought of even a few years ago. The third-class passengers have a lift to bring them up the five floors to their sports deck, which Is between the two funnels.

They have a sun deck whlcn can be covered by an awning in not weamer ana tneir own small promenade deck. Tourist nfmgpncers. aft, have their own cinema, lounge and utuice noor, ana access to the indoor caoin-ciass swimming pool. This new Mauretania wan the nhlMU of great Interest In New York, and as well as receptions on board every day HiHiiL. mere was one grana party which thousands attended.

The shin left New York at 11 p.m. on June 30 with more than 1000 passengers (and a couple of stowaways) it was a wonder there were not more stowaways, for more than 1500 people were visitors on board to say good-bye to friends. On the wharf were anotner two or three thousand people; It was a grand farewell. New York was left behind shlnine through a misty rain: the shadowed foreshores were lit with a rosv glow from the flaring yellow electric lamps and co- lorea neon signs, ana tne lights at the top of skyscrapers looked like jewels suspended from the darkening sky. The tug boat fussed and fumed about the Maure.

tanla like a terrier yelping at a Great uane, ana every now ana tnen a passing vessel let out a siren call. Owing to the late hour ot departure many passengers who had dined ashore came aboard in evening clothes. Women wore lavish displays or orchids, which must have gone straight to the refriger ator, for they were worn on several oc casions during tne Atlantic crossing. rne favorite pastime during tne cross- lng has been to prowl about the com fortable ship looking ror new Ideas and trying out all the new gadgets. One of the gadgets which Is to be changed Immediately is the tooth brush holder.

All the racks are so wide that the tooth brushes slip through, and a consignment of new racks was ready to be installed throughout the ship as soon as she reached Southampton. Gun Emplacements There are red knobs on the hot water taps over the wash basins, a warning to absent-minded travellers. And there are hidden gun emplacements to remind travellers that the ship can be converted Into a troop ship if need arises. There are special soot-catching devices In the two smoke stacks to keep all the dust from the ship Itself, and there are so many fire sprinklers visible that they: reassure every traveller about the precau a a.