The Prime Minister stated that probably Thursday's batch by the Moana would be the last big shipment of young men to the United States for a time.
One suggestion has been made that if young men depart from their country at a critical time in its history and forsake it, a law should be passed preventing their return, and virtually banishing them forever from these shores.
• The lambing percentage for the whole of North Otago promises to be much better than was expected (says the Oamaru Mail).
Though not likely to come up to the high averages which the district usually enjoys, it will probably reach from 85 to 90 per cent.
Kauroo Hill should average 90 per cent., and the Dasher country, which comes in considerably later, should do a good deal better.
The whole of the back country will do fairly well, though the absence of heavy snow last winter is evident in scantier pastures.
In the valleys and in favourable spots in the country between the coast and the hills, 115 to 120 per cent. are fairly common.
Hakataramea Station reached 108 per cent.
It will be found that the lambing percentages throughout are surprisingly good, considering the adverse circumstances, once more proving the drought-resisting properties of North Otago.
• Whitebait are ''running'' in the Molyneux at present at a great rate, and millions of these tiny fish are being caught by boys and others with dip nets (says the Balclutha Free Press).
On Sunday a Balclutha boy caught a kerosene tinful, and then retailed them round the town, netting 15s.
At Kaitangata even larger hauls of whitebait are being made.
One result of the influx of whitebait is that trout fishing in the river is decidedly ''off''.
The fish are too well fed, and are besides scared by the ''baiters''.
• The following communication, which explains itself, has been received by the hon. secretary of the Dunedin Presbyterian Sabbath School Association, from Mr R. A. Johnston, acting town clerk: ''I have to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 3rd inst., conveying a copy of a resolution adopted by your association regarding the danger to children of moving pictures. In reply I have to say that the Dunedin City Council, at its last meeting resolved, that in view of the fact that so many of the patrons of picture entertainments are females and young children, steps be taken to advise the Government that the council is of opinion that action should be taken to ensure that the strictest possible censorship be exercised to prevent the screening of any pictures of an undesirable or immoral nature. This resolution is being sent to the Minister.''
• The Tourist Department has been informed that Waimangu geyser is still very active.
It played to the height of 600 feet on Tuesday morning.
The other geysers in the Rotorua area are also energetic and a big hole has been blown in Frying Pan Flat, the surrounding hills being splattered with mud.
A period of marked thermal activity is being experienced at Rotorua. - ODT, 13.11.1915.
• COPIES OF PICTURE AVAILABLE FROM ODT FRONT OFFICE, LOWER STUART ST, OR WWW.OTAGOIMAGES.CO.NZ
