NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 485, 19 April 1909, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

(nr TELEOEArn—press association.) —^) — ■ ■ -- COOD TEMPLARS. Auckland, April 17. The- Grand Lodge, 1.0. G.T., passed tosolutions urging the teaching in tho public schools of the effect of alcohol on the human system; that steps bo taken, in conjunction with the New Zealand Alliance, to petition Parliament in favour of a baro majority in connection with Dominion option; that the Licensing Act be altered to provide-that scrutineers shall be entitled to bo present at all counting and recounting of ballot papers, and that the people shall have a voice in appointing returning officers and deputies. It was decided to hold tho next Grand Lodge session in Wellington. MELBA AT DUNEDIN. Dunedln, April 18. Undoubtedly marked as was tho brillianco and responsiveness*-of the audienco in the Garrison Hall on tho occasion of Madame Melba's first concert the ovation so spontaneously, tendered to tho Queen of song at her second and final concert on Saturday night constituted it a still more splendid triumph. ' So'far as Dunedin is concerned tho Melba tour must be adjudged a suporb success viewed from any and every standpoint. • ,: .. .. .: OUTBREAK OF DIPHTHERIA.

Dunedln, April 18. ' Mr. J. H. Walker, chairman of the Charitable Aid and Hospital Boards, received word from the Health Department yesterday,of an outbreak of'diphtheria at Kaitangata. Seven cases have been reported, one patient is dead, and, three ■others are iii , a serious condition. Sir. Walker at oiico got into telephonic communication with . Dr. JTitzgorald, and, finding that isolation of tho cases was imperative, gave instructions for a temporary erection to be put up at Kaitaugata. ■■'' ■ 'THE MINISTER FOR JUSTICE. . Invercarglll, April 18. At a' meeting on Saturday night, the Southland Trades and Labour Council unanimously carried the following resolution: —"That the council strongly protest against the unwarrantable and undemocratic action of the Premier in removing from.the, House of Representatives ai)d giving to a member of the Upper House the important portfolio of Minister for Justice, being decidedly of opinion that in an enlightened and democratic community the control and administration of the Justice and the' Police Departments should be held by a man who has been plected by and is responsible to the electors of the Dominion; and that copies of this resolution be forwarded-to other trades and labour councils apd organisations, who be asked to make similar protests."