LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1444, 20 May 1912, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Union Company's steamer Muheno, with English and Australian mails on bosrd, arrived at Auckland from Sydnuy yesterday afternoon. Tho southern portion of the mails will reach Wellington by the Main Trunk express this afternoon. Tho Prime Minister (the Hon. T. Mackenzie) stated on Saturday that ho hoped to announce either to-day or to-morrow the names of tho persons selected to conduct tho promised inquiry into the problem of tho increased cost of living.

A deputation representing the New Zealand Educational Institute was received by the Minister for Education (tho Hon. J. A. Italian) on Saturday morning. The proceedings were not open to the press, but it was understood that tiio object of the deputation was to commend to the Minister's consideration somo of tho resolutions passed at the recent conference of tho institute.

The Minister for Marino (the Hon. G. Laurenson) stated on Saturday that a further shipment of herring ova would bo brought out to New Zealand, with precautions that should ensuro their arrival in good condition. If tho effort proved successful," the ova would be placed in tho Portobelio hatchery, and tho fish, would afterwards be distributed to various localities.

Tho Local Government Bill Conference, comprising delegates from all the local bodies in New Zealand, is to commence its sittings at tho Sydney Street Schoolroom at 10 a.iu. to-morrow. Tho conference will bo presided over by the Minister for Internal Affairs (the Hon. G. W. liusselli, who will open the proceedings with an explanatory address. Following tiiis address will eomc a discussion regarding tho general question of local government and how it might bo improved. It is to bo understood, says the Minister, that the conference is not a Parliament for tho purpose of dealing with the question brought up with any finality. It will bo more of ft council of advice primarily for tho benefit of the Government and for the information of Parliament.

How will thoy do it? The following remit, which is to bo considered by the conference of delegates of the Now Zealand Federation of Labour, to b.e ( held here this weak, presents, a poser that has puzzled many a bright economist Tho remit, whioh is from tho Westport Labour Union, reiujs:—".That wo devise a scheme whoreby tho price of toodstulis shall not rieo to correspond with tho riso in wages/' The Jewish festival of Penticost will bo celebrated on Wednesday and Thursday at tho Synagogue. As an indication of the feolrng ftctuiitdn» Parliamentary members of the difter■ent political parties," remarks tho Otago T) a ilv Times, it may bo mentioned that an Ota"0 member of Parliament returned in tho Indepwdent Liberal interest, stated to a "Daily Times reporter last week that when Parliament mot ho would vote for a motion or amendment expressing noconfidence in tho Mackenzie Government, and the present Government out ot olhce, lie would then hold himself frco to support'or vote against tho measures introduced hv tho incoming Government.