The Age from Melbourne, Victoria, Australia • Page 2

THE XGE. FRIDAY. JULY 0. 1954 LETTERS to the EDITOR MELBOURNE, FRIDAY, JULY 9, 1954. She CONSERVATION OF RESOURCES Defending the Soil Against Admission of China to U.N.

rosion FOR the men fighting against the destructive inroads of erosion thefe sun are no regimental colors and no campaign ribbons, but the value of their -defence of national resources is gaining recognition. They fight ignorance, indifference, carelessness and expediency. Without them it becomes clearer that we should continue literally to lose Australia at an alarming rate. THE elements In cent. In countries such The Avon River Tragedy of Agriculture at the University of Melbourne.

Addressing a gathering of farmers at Sale, Gippsland, in May last year, he explained the value in farm practice of good neighborliness and community spirit for the benefit of all. The aesthetic and utill-. tarian side found expression more recently when the Governor-General (Sir William Slim) opened a conference of the Australian Institute of Foresters at Canberra on May 31 this year. He said: "You, as foresters, guard and develop two of the most precious assets of this country its material wealth of timber and its heritage of beauty. How happy you are that, in developing the one, you do not, as so much industrial expansion does, mar the other." alii The Avon River, Gippsland a flood tearing deeper into treeless banks.

CHURCH SCHOOLS FACE A CHALLENGE IN overtaxing the capacity ol teaching establishments, postwar growth of the school-age population challenges alike conductors of all church schools and those responsible for providing State facilities. The problem discussed on this page yesterday raises the question whether church institutions which have served the community for nearly a century regard it as a duty to meet the heavier demands on them or are virtually to abdicate their role by leaving to the State an ever-increasing percentage of pupils at all stages, from preschool to university. The Independent group is certainly at the crossroads, and It is for those who direct denominational schools to consider seriously the Implications of the latest trends. In providing buildings, staffs and facilities to take care of 37 per cent, of the school population these institutions have thus far made a substantial contribution to the State's educational equipment. But difficulties loom because the existing provision is woefully Inadequate for the oncoming generation of children whose parents want their boys and girls to attend church schools.

As was pointed out, the churches are not building new schools, and most schools have been enlarged to their optimum size. i Public schools, grammar schools, high schools and technical schools are all at the limit of capacity and unable to take more pupils. As a result, hundreds of young people cannot be admitted. State schools are being built and expanded as means permit; the related question is whether, individually and collectively, the church schools consider they have an obligation to continue to provide for education on a scale commensurate with that of the past, or are they to resign themselves to only a diminishing proportion of the field The Important fact Is that the present secondary school population of the metropolitan area, 50.000, will be doubled In ten years. This is not a mere calculation from population' trends; the children are here and growing already.

In a few years they will need places at primary as well as secondary schools. If the churches decide that their Institutions are already large enough, and that they cannot see their way to provide high-cost buildings and facilities with adequate staffs, the obligations on the State would greatly increase. High schools and technical schools would have to be multiplied at a faster rate. Notable changes have come over British public schools, following the Butler Education Act and the system of grants from the Ministry of Education. Here, unless energetic developments are put under way within the next two or three years, there will be no places in high or secondary schools for large numbers of children.

In providing ten new high schools and seven junior technical schools the State Government has done well. It seems to be fully seized of the high importance of pressing forward with the programme. But pressures on non-State institutions suggest a "spill-over" of substantial dimensions in the near future. Apart from heavy pre-existent needs and the backlog of demands on State schools, the saturation of any sector makes imperative the maximum possible expansion of State facilities, especially in secondary and technical education. us oweuen ana riniana tne figure is about 50 per RIGHT years ago Judge Stretton was commissioned by the State Government to investigate forest grazing In Victoria.

In his report he said: "Among the many subjects which fill the field of this inquiry, three stand pre-eminent in an inseparable trinity forest, soil, water. ''No one of them can stand alone. If one is injured the three must share the Injury. A cycle of destruction of all three may begin with any one of them "Civilisations have perished, leaving only the monuments of man's pretentiousness, because in Ignorance of wantonness man's Impious hand has disturbed the delicate balance which Nature would maintain Seven years earlier Judge Stretton, as a Royal Commission, had investigated Victoria's fires of 1939, in which 70 lives were lost. Bush, scrub and grass fires had swept more than five million acres, including two million acres of protected forests and a million and a half acres of reserved forest.

Though a considerable area of fire-killed timber was salvaged by skilful and prompt oreanislng the extent of the State's loss could not be computed In forms of money. THE result of Judge Stretton's inquiries as well as cumulative evidence from other-sources leaves no doubt that in almost all cases fires have originated from human agency. The verdict is the same In New South Wales where The Riverine and other areas are still smarting under the heavy fire losses suffered in the summer of 1951-52. Addressing the annual meeting of the League for Conservation of Natural Resources on April 22 this year, Victoria's Minister for Forests, Mr. Galbally, observed that the 1939 fires cost Victoria 90 per cent, of her mountain ash forests, and all chances there might have been of an ex- these defence forces, with their counterparts In other States, Include such prosaic Instrumentalities as the Soil Conservation Authority," the Water Commission and the Board of Works, the Forests Commission and the Country Fire Authority.

As well as other Statt and Federal agencies, there By. a Staff Correspondent are also many voluntary groups and individuals, representative of public conscience, keenly interested in such matters as national parks and the study ano preservation of forests, natural flora and fauna. Among the chief of these in Victoria is the League for Conservation of Natural Resources. Its president, Mr. O.

T. Thompson, is also chairman of the Soil Conservation Authority, with previous experience In the Water Commission. "Why the fuss and the heroics some may ask. Well, let us look at Australia, its basic resource and their treatment at the hands of past and present Australians. Those who have studieo such matters tell us that Australia is the driest continent in the world.

Most of its streams, by comparison with those of othei lands, are consequently small, hence the growing emphasis upon water conservation and irrigation. Considering the soil, we find that the United States, with its dust-bowi problem, its Tennessee Valley Authority and it' great water conservation works, has gone fully ilnto the question. It has estimated the average depth of soil there as seven Inches. In Australia It does not exceed four inches. And what of forests? In proportion to our total area, commercial forests in Australia, with a growing population, represent about one per those in Canada' about 40 per NEW FILM 5000 FINGERS AT A PIANO fHE SOOO Fingers Of Dr.

at the Majestic, is Stanley Kramer's first musical and, as might have been ex-pected from this enterprising producer, it breaks completely with the accepted form. Magna Carta in Victory SIR, I HAVE JUST paid my Land Tax. This, like all rates and taxes is now based on present day valuations and, con-sequently, is about doubled. Even water rates are now charged on present day valuation and not on what one uses. Rents are still pegjej on 1940 valuations, so that those depending wholly or in part, for a basic wa; living are not as well 09 as two living on a pension of 7.

with all other aT lowances added. We own three small pr0. perties in- good positions Fixed rents total 4 8 a week. Yet total rates and taxes are 42. With com-mission, insurances and upkeep, what would oe leit if we had no other means? Many others (a minority) are no doubt worse off and cannot afford the nece sary repairs to keep their property from degenera-ting Into slums.

PrW. Slich aure exorbitant nl beyond their means. Who gains by this In-Justice, allowed and con. sented to by the majority for the past 12 years? We have low rents for the many at the expense oi their fellows; profiteerhw and racketeering in rents especially In the sub-let-ting of poorly furnished rooms at extravagant rates. We have all sorts of dodges to evade the law; slums added to the already more than enough slums and a lowering of the morale o( that "fair deal for all" throughout our people Magna Carta 1215, Is now without meaning, although it is supposed to ensure that justice shall neither be sold, denied nor de.

layed. W. S. SIMPSON 'Verdict on Washington SIR, PROFESSOR MACMAHON BALL, in his outstanding article in "The Age" (306) shows the outcome of the Washington conference as "a triumph for realism over emotion-alism." Churchill's declaration for friendly co-existence with Communist countries caps a series of events which in a few weeks have lifted the cloud of tear and have vastly changed the world atmosphere. The U.S.A.

was calling on her various allies to join her ln complete ostracism of anything which could be labelled Communism. For one reason or another they refused to take the risk. Britain insisted on maintaining her trade with Communist China, despite the hard things said and the pressure applied. From that point a wave of conciliation (some call it appeasement) has risen, involving Korea, Indo-Chlna, France, the E.D.C., India and others. A remarkable feature has been the sudden emergence of China, to the exclusion of Russia, and her friendly acceptance by India and Britain is momentous.

While no one could hava prophesied the oreclse unfolding of the picture, many were convinced that If rash action could be prevented a new balance must evolve. As it clarifies we may see much mora of Britain, India and China and less of Russia and U.S.A. J. A. HENDERSON (Hcalesvllle).

"Should be Welcomed" SIR, THE IMPENDING visit of British Labor leaders to Australia at the Invitation of the Federal Government should be welcomed by all sections of the community because these people represent a substantial body of pub-lie opinion in Great Britain. To berate them in their absence for their alleged bad conduct in visting China does not prove Mr, Keon's case. Many people In Australia will want to hear what these British Labor leaders have to say, whether they agree with the views expressed or not. The correct conduct lor Mr. Keon, M.P-, in this instance would appear to be to enter Into a debate with these men when they are ln Australia, and in the meantime to spare us tha tedium of such smear campaigns.

W. RENFREY effects of which he complains." Equally telling on the agricultural side Is the re-suit of long investigation by the C.S.I.R.O. of soil fertility in the wheat belt. A 1952 report says: "A statistical analysis of i wheat yields In South Aus-tralla for a period of 46 years has shown that the improvement due mainly to better varieties and the use of superphosphates, often masks decline in soil fertility associated with nitrogen depletion and structural damage and erosion These findings and the methods of analysis used can have important applications to crop growing throughout Australia." JT should not be inferred from all these facts that Australia Is racing headlong to the edge of an economic abyss, or that the underlying psychological factors are peculiar to Australia. The causes of many of uui lusses are Deing more clearly recognised.

District advisory committees and branch offices have been established by the Soil Conservation Authority, which has between 000 and 600 land owners awaiting its advice and guidance. Under the general direction of the Water Commission, river improvement trusts are operating in several parts of the State. In timbered areas forest management and fire prevention methods have become far more efficient. Much still remains to be done, and bitter lessons may soon be forgotten in a succession of good seasons. Some1 recent instances selected at random illustrate the need not only for remedial and educative policies, but watchfulness against national losses by persistent pressures in various forms, based upon expediency.

On April 17 this year the Premier (Mr. Cain) and the Minister for Public Works (Mr. Merrifleld) refused a request by rural municipalities for permission to cut timber along country roads and use the proceeds to finance road works. Mr. Cain reminded the deputation that enough damage had been done already by the destruction of millions of acres of timber.

This had brought ruin to parts of the Mallee. Both the economic and ethical aspects of farming have been emphasised in homely yet forceful terms by Professor S. M. Wad-ham, Dean of the Faculty TODAY'S ISSUE, 18 PAGES- By 1'The Age" Music Critic has conquered all the enemies that stand in the way of perfection of his art could have given such a brilliant and satisfying performance of a work that needs such terrific concentration and skill to make It fully From the sombre opening through flashes of brilliance to the exuberance of the finale that fades away like a tired giant going to sleep, the pianist, Alexander Zakm, was a worthy collaborator. The concert opened with a lovely performance of Rameau's Suite arranged by the violinist Eugene Ysaye, which was followed by an equally attractive version of the Brahms Sonata No.

3, Op. 80. Mr. Stern's playing of the unaccompanied Bach Chacoune was magnificently contrived and warmly applauded by the capacity audience. Other works were Bloch's Nlgun, from the Baal Shem Suite and Paganlnl'i La CampaneUa.

Age Clergymen and Lotteries SIR, MRS. JEAN POYNTON'S letter (77) on the Church and lotteries Is most astonishing. Does she really think that people buy tickets in Tattersall's in the very remote hope of winning a prize whereby they can purchase a home Such "Innocents abroad" I have yet to meet. But I am writing about her strictures on clergymen because of their inactivity over the slums. Such a tissue of nonsense I have rarely read.

Thirty or more years ago a number of young churchmen, led by Mr. O. W. Barnett, began a campaign against the slums, stirring the whole State. Since then, through pulpit and press and by deputations to succeeding Governments, the Churches have kept up the campaign, and the leaders today are nearly all churchmen.

Has Mrs. Poynton nevei heard of the magnificent work done by Father Tucker and the Brotherhood of St. Laurence 1 The various church missions never cease in their service to the people in these areas, and were they to cease work, the lot of the needy would be deplorable. Yet the non-church people don't bother a bit. I challenge Mrs.

Poynton to name one social reform campaign that does not depend upon Christian leadership. Let us give honor where honor is due. Better still, stand in and help the churches in their campaign for better conditions of life lor our citizens. COURTENAY THOMAS (Hon. Sec, Council of Churches in Victoria).

tastic, behavior running through it. The sets have the sort of pink-Icing appearance that might be expected in a boy's dream world, even if it is a nightmare, the color Is bright and tasteful, and generally this is an Inventive, if somewhat freakish, production. Hans Conried plays Dr. T. witH a lunatic coldness and others with important parts are Tommy Rettig, Mary Healy and Peter Lind Hayes.

THE only interesting thing about Springfield Rifle, at the Capitol, is that it could have been made without any reference to the Springfield rifle. The rifle appears only in the second last reel to make sure that a small group of Union loyalists shall be able to out-shoot a larger group of horse thieves, spies and Confederates. Otherwise it is a regular-size story of espionage during the American Civil War with Gary Cooper more Inarticulate even than usual as a Union major who faces disgrace to save the side. ters administered by this portfolio. Mr.

Menzies said that this change "will be of material assistance in enabling both myself and Mr. McEwen to concentrate more time upon Important matters of policy." Certainly, Mr. Menzies said last night, Mr. McEwen had to be given some relief in his vast department. IN both Government and departmental circles It was admitted that the Prime Minister, in the full flush of what amounted to a single-handed victory in the recent elections, was handling the Country party with an iron hand in a velvet glove.

Nor was there any doubt that the Country party would accept the situation, despite the fact that it did not lose a single seat in the elections, while the Liberals lost four, reducing the Government's majority to seven. The recent accident to Sir Arthur Fadden. which has undoubtedly taken severe physical toll; Mr. McEwen's ill-health and overstrain from hard work and Sir Earle Page's age all add up to a situation where their party must accept whatever the Prime Minister dictates, and there is no doubt the dictation has begun. SIR, THE REPORT that New Zealand Is ready to support the admittance of Communist China to the United Nations must appal every Australian who has the security of his country at heart.

Admittance of Red China would mean the endorsement of China's intervention in Korea and the repudiation of the heroio sacrifices of the United Nations' soldiers. Mr. Clifton Webb's statement that admission pt China to the United Nations would help to drive a wedge between that country and Russia is wishful thinking. Russia has consistently pressed for the admittance of Red China, which the Soviet would not do if it were not to its own advantage. Communist China has now embarked on a campaign of conquest in South-East Asia, and Australia will be saved from annihilation only by resolutely opposing, with other non-Communist allies in the Pacific, any further expansion of the Peking junta backed by Moscow.

RONALD G. MALCOLM (Essendon). Visit of- Mr. Attlee SIR, Mr. S.

M. KEON, and Mr. A. T. Steel (77), oppose the visit of Mr.

Attlee to Australia because he comes from a country whose people do not live here and because he is to visit China. They advocate "closest co-operation with the United States." Do they mean that people "who do not live here" can never give us any help or advice; that no one should ever visit China or any such place to see things for himself, and that we should "co-operate" with the United States whatever she decides to do Mr. Steel may be correct that many Australians "will receive Mr. Attlee with mixed feelings," but I can assure him that many Australians read his and Mr. Keon's opinions with very mixed feelings.

The problem faced by Mr. Keon and his supporters is not whether to stop the advance of Communism or not, but how to do it. Their opposition to anyone who might influence America (whose position is anything but clear and definite), and to discourage anyone In expressing a point of view different from theirs and a section of America, but by no means the whole, is not likely to assist America or anyone else in solving the problem of how to stop the advance of Communism. J. F.

CAIRNS (East Brighton) Poor Welcome for Tourists SIR, FREQUENTLY entreaties are marin that this country be made more attractive overseas visitors for with good monev r.n snonrf JfV is virtually impossible to obtain a winter such as hot malted milk, from the average suburban milk bar. Enquiries are met with the that "we haven't gotthe means to heat it, faciCs6 ffxtenTve5 week-end cooking may Sll be in the SahaS as fn lnnJlr Me'Due during Sunday, one would be hofyn eet a Iuke-warnl which ls fon" we 80 as tourists to dollar countries at our ml0 Wends' risk, our Method of travel and restricted means of expend- ihS t.ne "eling that in spite of its great intrinsic wealth, ours must be a parsimonious country, 1952, ln the basement of the new U.N. building. I vainly in their font venh; shop for some article produced ln sunny Austral a. They had absolutely nothing.

a well-made fur koala bear and sent it to a grateful friend in California! I took the trouble to write to the makers, indicating that, with a little effon, they had a ready-made market, also stating that I was personally financially disinterested. Nine months have passed without a reply to that letter. Occasionally, something happens ln Melbourne life to show that we are not entirely asleep. The recent Royal visit showed that, given impetus, there remain many people ready to conquer provincialism with gestures worthy of a great city. No doubt we shall be able to feed the Olympic Games influx with millions of hot pies and doughnuts, and accommodate them In barrack room atmosphere somewhere.

Under such circumstances those people would be very foolish to return. to Australia the country which could be (and may still yet be) "the best country in the world," 3. McG. EDWARDS (Glen Iris). SPECIAL ADVERTISEMENTS DOCTOR'S Consulting Roonu to LM in "STANHIUL." All tad-llllfn of SUnhlll Mrdlcal Centre available.

For partlculara. Park 6302 Bd Win MR. L. VAN STRATUM hai R- St. Tel.

Cent. 1798. News of the Day port trade in sawn hardwood.1 Bush fires, he said, could not start unless someone started them. An officer of the New South Wales Soil Conservation Service last month discussed in a national broadcast the threat posed to useful inland country by the invasion of wind-driven coastal sand. He was asked: "What causes this The reply was Instant and pungent: "Man through the destruction of vegetation by fire or excessive grazing by stock." Near Nelson in Western Vlstoria, extending towards South Australia is a large tract of country similarly threatened.

It presents a desolate appearance. Records of the Water Commission, show what has happened along the lower course of the Avon river, Gippsland a process multiplied many times in varying degrees throughout Australia. Though forest fires in the Avon catchment are in part responsible, most damage is due to other factors. A spokesman of the Water Commission summed it up: "It has been chiefly caused by carelessness and neglect. It was nobody's business over a long period until erosion reached almost unmanageable proportions." JN the meantime valuable alluvial land aggregating hundreds of acres has disappeared into the Gippsland Lakes.

In a paper read to a general meeting of the Australian Institution of Engineers in 1951, the Victorian Divisional Engineer for Rivers and Streams in the Water Commission. Mr. H. G. Strom, said? "Even in nature, rivers are active things Man -not only settles along rivers and expects them to keep quiet and behave themselves, as if they were domesticated animals, but he also, in many ways, acts so as to harm the rivers, and thus aggravates the Hans have now passed through what one graduate described yesterday as "Professor Spindler's clinic for confidence and courage." Nine of them will act as Instructors in the local institute.

Man Wanted JS there a man aged between 30 and 45, preferably married, seeking a home for his family and a position in the country If so, then the Young Farmers of Victoria would like to hear from him. The man required must be a good, reliable worker for a cattle and sheep farm, with extensive pasture work. In return he will be paid a good wage and be provided with a three-bedroom house equipped with such conveniences as hot and cold water, a washing machine, electric light and telephone. If the applicant has an elderly mother or sister living witn mm, then she will be offered a position as companion to the employer. The person to contact about this unusual offer is Mr.

W. H. Simpson, chief superviser, senior section, Young Farmers of Victoria, Temple Court, Collins Street, city. Traffic YVHILE the authorities at the road safety conference yesterday gave thought to the Broader aspects of traffic control, many city workers would welcome some prompt action at one important crossing. They are the train travellers who leave the station by the Degraves Street gates, Jostle their way through the gantlet of the subway excavations and are confronted by a double line of moving traffic in Flinders Street.

One policeman on point duty would solve the problem, we believe, and remove one of the city's most exasperating and danger ous bottle-necks. Yesterday we noticed at least half a dozen Constables assigned to controlling the crowds at the Tattersall's drawing, less than 20 yards from the crossing, but the pedestrians were left to their own device among the trafflo. SAFETY ON THE ROADS IS PRESSING THE decisions of yesterday's road safety conference will be warmly approved. They offer, for the first time, a genuine prospect of positive action to reduce the road toll. The community will look now to the Government for action.

As the authoritative opinions of a most representative body of traffic experts they cannot be ignored. Introduction of the 30-mile-an-hour speed limit is a long-overdue step towards greater safety In built-up areas. It was promised by the Government last September. There Is no reason for further delay. Adoption of the right-hand turn from the centre of the road was promised at the same time.

Doubts about it were expressed In some quarters. But if applied now at all intersections except where there are tram lines, traffic movement should be freer. Whether more stop signs at level crossings without gates will be effective remains to be seen. But the experiment 3s worth making. The tragic loss of life at crossings in recent years, particularly In the last few months, has made action of this nature Imperative.

The suggestion that a uniform traffic code for the whole State should be prepared Is also welcome. Any committee appointed for this task should be given every facility for completing it swiftly. Much of the delay of past years has been caused by having many committees to which problems were passed and forgotten. It Is now up to the Government to move, as the reduction of the road carnage is urgent. The public will look for results.

Mr. Menzies to Govern With Firmer Hand TTHE sixth Menzies Ministry will present the 1954-55 budget with the Prime Minister (Mr. Menzies) openly exercising an authority he has never demonstrated since he was returned to office in December, 1949. JN fact, it Is scarcely a musical at all in terms of tunes and dances. Rather, it is a fantasy about music interpreted through the dreams of a small boy who believes that his fastidious teacher and his mother are in some adult league to force bud- By "The Age" Film Critic ding Babe Ruths into becoming Paderewskis.

In his dreams, the teacher rules hypnotically in a fabulous conserva-torium with dungeons, sub-human servants and the boy's mother, who is-second in command. The chief instrument of torture is a monster piano which can accommodate the 5000 fingers of the doctor's 500 pupils at one sitting. According to the credits, a Dr. Seuss, who sounds like a psychologist, conceived the idea for this film and it may be due to his influence that there Is a strong streak of abnormal, as distinct from fan From "The Age" Canberra Correspondent ters of financial and economic policy. THIS announcement by the Prime Minister that he will devote himself far more to Treasury problems is taken in Canberra as a direct hint that Mr.

Menzies Will play a large part in the framing of the budget. It Is- obvious that a far different position from that which existed in 1950, when Mr. Menzies entered three separate sittings of Cabinet determined on the appreciation of the Australian pound, has been reached. On each occasion he was defeated and on one occasion at least had to accept an ultimatum from Sir Arthur Fadden, and in effect the Country party, that such a step would be taken "onlv over mv rionrf uuuy. Slmllarly yesterday's announcement that Senator MoLeay would act- as an "associate" Minister for Commerce and Agriculture to assist Mr.

McEwen means that Mr. Menzies Intends taking a major part In any Important deoisions on mat STERN'S BRILLIANT PERFORMANCE LIKE the crowning moment of some mystic ritual, the giant barrel rolled and rumbled six times forward, six times back to signal the start of Melbourne's first consultation with Tatter-sail's yesterday. The devotees strained hushed silence as Mr. A. Smlthers, translated for the moment irom wic air of State finance, dabbled and probed with a ion triggered rod for the lucky one ol zuu.uuu wooden marDies.

Pinkly intent oi iace, playing delicately as an angler, he drew marble No. 96,335 out to drop It softly i loia ViAtri solemnly by a Tattersall's official. The caller shouted the number, which was echoed, first to the left, then to the right, by other officials. Reporters scribbled busily, officials scribbled, the police officer (second acolyte from tne leit) scnouieu, i audience scribbled. Only the late George Adams in his photograph on the wall remained un moved.

rroffoi-caii'R nfter many shifts in its much maligned 13 years, was in Melbourne and doing business. Old Stamps fOST of us regard cancelled stamps as of even less value than last week's newspapers which can at least be disnosed of at a small profit to the local green grocer but many chari table organisations know otherwise. According to officials of the women of the University Fund, which is appealing for used stamps, there is an almost unlimited demand for them. Last vear the fund, wnicn Is used to give food, cloth- ing and medical attention to under-priviiegea cnu-dren, sold no less than half a ton of used stamps to dealers and met only a fraction of the demand. Gifts of used stamps of any type and quantity are urgently requested Dy tne women of the University Fund, which operates from The Mews, Government House ground.

OILY PENGUIN. (See Soothing.) Soothing DETAILS of a weighty 30 nation convention recently concluded in London should soothe the ruffled feathers of Port. Phillip penguins when they get to hear of them. For years now our penguins have endured the indignity of being washed up in miserable groups on Bayside beaches, their feathers coated in fuel oil. By the terms of the London convention, which was attended by the chairman of the Melbourne Harbor Trust (Mr.

A. D. McKen-zie), ships will be forbidden to discharge oil at sea unless they are more than 50 miles from the nearest The penguins should be impressed by the fact that United Nations will police the regulations and that the major oil companies carried out intensive research before these were drawn up. Friends NEVER were the handshakes so firm or the greetings so hearty as those exchanged yesterday among a group of Melbourne business people before a luncheon at a city banquet hall. A casual onlooker might have been puzzled by such exuberant good will until he learned that the lunchers were all graduates of the Dale Carnegie to Win Friends and Influence Institute.

They were farewelllng Mr. and Mrs. John Splnd-ler, who are returning to America after having set up an Australian Dale Carnegie Institute to further the cause of human relations. Altogether 300 Austra- THERE can- be no doubt that the forthcoming budget will be framed in the main by the Prime Minister. Mr.

Menzies will, in future, also play a leading part in any decisions to be made by the Minister for Commerce and Agriculture (Mr. McEwen). This means that after more than four years and a half of Country party control of the vital Treasury and Commerce portfolios the Liberal party Is moving in, determined that its policies -and principles shall sway the final decision. All these facts were made clear very gently yesterday by the Prime Minister In announcing his Cabinet re shuffle and tne appointment of "associate" Ministers. Mr.

Menzies said that Sir Eric Harrison would relieve him of certain administrative duties in the Prime Minister's department. He told his press conference yesterday that this would enable him to give far more time to assist the Treasurer (Sir Arthur Fad-den) in major matters of fiscal policy. Me earn tnat in uio past 4 hn had Often worked In 0 tlon with the Treasurer In reaching a great number of highly important political decisions. In future, he would be in a position to ease the Treasurer's burdens and would spend a lot of time working with him on mat- A REMAKABLE performance of Pro-kofleff's Sonata In Minor, Op. 80, was given by Isaac Stern In the Town Hall last night.

This was the first of two recitals In-the violinist's present season. Audiences are Inclined to balk at the eccentricities sometimes displayed by the Russian composer, who imparts into his music devices possibly contemplated by earlier master, but not attempted by them. In this work Prokoflefl pretty well exhausts the possibilities of the violin-piano combination. Each of the four movements ranges over a wide fleld so extensively as to create moods within moods and the spice of variety everywhere, such wide excurslonlng Maxes the heaviest possible demands on the performers, but Mr. Stern and his collaborator were more than equal to meeting them.

Theirs was the finest possible two-man team work that can be Imagined. None but a violinist who FINEST kp 71 eft. Ht. ft,.