LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2514, 15 July 1915, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

According to the Prime Minister some steps are being taken to 1 indicate the country of origin of: imported eggs to prevent- them being sold as new laid.

"I have got up majiy a night at 3 o'clock in the morning" was a statement which startled the House of Representatives last night, when a speaker was referring to the Daylight Saving Bill. Hearty laughter greeted the remark, and the member was advised to get up. earlier in the future.

The fact that shipping concessions had been made to German goods was mentioned by a delegato-to the Agricultural Conference yesterday. "I think the last speaker omitted an important point," remarked Sir Walter Buchanan. "Concessions were , given 1o German gcods to shut out German shipping. If the concessions had not been-made there would have been regular German linos. We don't want that." There was a chorus of "No," and the.discussion ended abruptly.

The Wellington City and suburban schools' will be olosed this afternoon, thus affording teachers and pupils an opportunity of participating in the welcome to our wounded soldiers returning by the Willochra.

Big-gun :practice took place at Fort Ballance yesterday morning, when a few shots were fired at a moving 8-inch target (towed by the Janie Seddon). In the afternoon it was the intention, to fire at a stationary 6-inch target- at some 4000 yards',, range, but owing* to a fault in the range-finder, the difficulty of "picking up" the target necessitated a postponement of'the afternoon practice. .

'Hie farms of New Zealand have contributed such a large number of men to the Dominion's military forces that" agriculturists are wondering what the position will be during the next harvest season. The question was raised at tho Agricultural Conference yesterday, when several delegates expressed the opinion that there would be a shortage of labour with which to do the harvesting. On the motion of a Marlborough delegate the council resolved: "Tfiat in view of the large number 'of men who have gone from New s Zealand to tho .war, and ■ the very probable large harvest, there will be a large shortage of farm Jabour, and the Government be asked if they will consider the Slacking off of' public works to enable a . supply of labour being available for tho narvest." It was decided; also, that the executive should interview the' Ministers of Agriculture, Public Works, and Labour, and discuss the question with^ them. 'A motion 'respecting the organisation of harvesting labour was not proceeded with.

. Many and deeply affecting '■ are the messages of condolence that are being received by. the parents of those 'brave boys who have given their lives to their country in Gallipoli. Ono lady who lost her son states that she received, messages from His Majesty the King; tho Prim 6 Minister, and Minister of Defence, the Salvation Army, and tho National ; Reserve, but the one that touched her most was from a' troop of Boy Scouts, who after tho usual.expressions of sympathy, wrote, asking tho old lady if thoy could help her by attending to the garden or doing any kind of work about the house or grounds. That is the spirit of real service that the scout movemont fosters, and on every hand one hears oil the' willingness and thoroughness with which these boys undertake tho smallest commissions entrusted to them.

Last week the member for Hutt asked the Government to introduce legislation, to give legal sanction to the Petoiie Borough Council to embark on its breadmaking project. Replying to tho question yesterday, the Attorney-General said that ho had already informed tho "l'etono Borough Council on March 1 last that, if possible, an amendment of the Municipal Corporations Act would bo introduced, this session, and; that the request would receive consideration when framing that amendment. ~ It was now doubtful, however, whether in view of the pressure of other urgent legislation consequent nipon the war it would be ■ possible to bring down an amendment of' the Municipal Corporations: Act this session. ,

In reply to a question put by Mr. L. M. Isitt, the Prime Minister stated yesterday that an opportunity would be given this session for members to discuss what had been done by New Zealand during the present crisis towards the . defence of the Empire, and what further action should he, taken.

Very valuable and instructive exhibitions of New Zealand produce are made by the Department of Agriculture at some of the big winter shows, and at some of the stock shows the State farms exhibit their stock. Yesterday tho Agricultural Conference decided: "That tho Department should be urged to alter the system governing the Departments exhibits at' agricultural shows, as_ at present only a few important districts secure educational exhibitsfrom this soiiroe." While the conference passed the motion referred to, it seemed disposed to agree in a'great measure with some remarks mada>by'tlie Secretary for Agriculture to the effect that the big Departmental .displays are costly, and that to send them to all shows would involve considerable expenditure. The Secretary said that in view of the expense, it had been the practice to make big displays only at shows which attracted very large gatherings of ,people. "Measured by the standard, of English main lines, all the New Zealand lines are light railways," said Mr. F., iW. Furkett, Public Works Engineer, in the course of an address to the. Council oKAewulturo. .

Tho committee of Carter's Aged Men's Home has, says our Carterton correspondent, decided -to offer accommodation to the inmates' of the Buchanan Home during tho timo the Buchanan. Home is being.used, as a hospital for soldiers.

"Tho general public does not realise that our 'ordinary ■■-.rolling-stock", lias been growing heavier and heavier of iato "years, until tiow some of our heavy wagons produce greater stress on the bridges, and put moro ! weight on the rails, than did the a not-far-distant past," said Mr. l'\ W. Fwkctt. Public Works Engineer, in an address to the Agricultural Conference yesterday.'

Operative butchers' representatives are meeting in. Wellington for the purpose of establishing a federation of all the butchers' unions in Now Zealand and drawing up claims for a Dominion award. The conference began on Tuesday morning, delegates being present from Auckland, Wanganui, Welling-, ton, Christcliurch, Dunedin, and Inveroargill districts. They represent all the unions in Now .Zealand, Marlborough and Tar'anaki being the, only' provinces without local organisation. The conference decided upon the formation of tho federation, and is now engaged upon the constitution and rules. Mr. A. H. Cooper (Wellington) is the president, and Mr. R. Breen (Dunedin) the.secre-t-ary of the conference. , To meet tho demands of local motorists for an up-to-datej?ara£e, the Dominion Motor Vehicles,: Ltd., have erected in Tory Street —j itst off the Courtcuay Place wood-blocking—the largest and finest gar-« o»o in the Dominion. Civility and attention to detail are assured patrous, arid prices aro moderate. Permanent customers should avail themselvos of the special permanent terms. Hours, 7 a.m. to luidM&hti 7, to 10 a.m., 6 to ll'p.m, 6UUWS,—Advt.

At a land sale at Carterton on Saturj day a 4}-aero section in Lincoln Road, Carterton, belonging to Mr. A. King, was sold at £60 an acre.

With the object of- improving the stamina of the blood horses of New Zealand, the Racing Conference is to be urged by the Council of Agriculture to make conditions that racing programmes should contain a greater number of long-distance races than they-do at present, and that the minimum weight of Ost. 71b. should be increased.

"A high explosive which we might well pass over," remarked Sir Walter Buchanan at the Agricultural Conference respecting this remit: —"That a conference of judges as recommended by the various A. and P. Associations- be held to standardise the method of judging."-, The "explosive" was left severe, ly alone.

The public aro reminded that, weather permitting, the National Reserve drill contest, postponed from last week, will take place on Newtown Park on Saturday afternoon. ,

Replying to Dr. Newman's suggestion that officers before going to the front should be supplied with binoculars and revolvers, .the Defenco Minister said it had been found economical and convenient to supply binoculars and revolvers to officers at the front direct from England. He would bo very glad to receive the assistanoo of the public in this matter similar to that given to the War Office by private . persons in tlie United Kingdom.

Replying to a question by Mr. W. H. Field in the House of Representatives yesterday, concerning the proposed acquisition by the Government of lands in the Foxton and Levin districts for close settlement, purposes, the Prime Minister'stated that a preliminary report hid been received, and ,the owners communicated with as to terms.

The has airahged that Mr. 1 0.' P. Slcerrett, K.C., shall represent the soldiers' relatives at the Royal Commission, which sits to-morrow to inquire into .Trentham Camp conditions.

On the suggestion of Sir i James Wilson, the .'Agricultural Conference re- ' 6olved_ yesterday: —' 'Realising that the provision of an adequate supply of tim-, ber for the future requirements of this Doihiniori is necessary, and inasmuch as it is estimated-that at least 500,000-to ... 700,000 acres should be under a commercial forest to allow sufficient area to be cut anntially,. this conference >. would urge the Government to set aside a suitable area of poor land, and to make it an inalienable reserve for the purpose,of growing timber." ' 4 ;

In all probability a number, of. now vaudeville theatres will be,erected in tho four centres of New Zealand. Mr. Hugh D. Miintosh, of Sydney, who recently acquired the Richards interest, arrived at Auckland by the Niagara, on Monday. He told a Press representative that he needed a wider circuit, and had decided to pay a visit—his first—to Now Zealand, and ascertain. the circumstances and prospects. He will .visit all the principal centres. ... ■

It was stated by Private J. H.i Darby, who left' with the Main Expeditionary Force, who landed at the Dardanelles, and who returned to New Zealand by the Niagara, that the Australians atid New Zealanders, who landed oh ' the peninsula on April 25, soon found themselves short of ambulance men, and he assisted in taking the wounded ba6k to Cairo; Onei hundred wounded men volunteered to return to the. front, at once, and 60 were chosen. Haemorrhage of the lungs caused Private Darby's re. turn. .... • .

Tho firo brigade received two calls yesterday, one in the afternoon at 3.55 o'clock to a joinery establishment .occupied' by L/ Hathaway, at 62 Boulcott Street!. • The fire originated .through-the over-heating _of. a . bearing setting fire to some shaving's. There was practically, no damage. The second call was at 9.33 p.m., to Easson's timber merchants' premises, in Taranaki Street. About 200 feet of timber were destroyed. \

An inquest will be held at 4 p.m. today concerning the death of Daniel BaTry, a middle-aged man, who was' found dead at the Wellington Meat Export Company's works at Ngahauranga on Tuesday .afternoon. Barry was a ~ singlo man, and resided in Dixon Street.

In the opifiion of the Council of Agri- . culture there is no batter way in which farmers can help to keep Germany in check than-by refusing to buy German manufactures, and, wherever, possible, by purchasing (in preference) British gocds within tlie Empire, and by shipping in British ships. The council is > of the* opinion, also, that- all German goods, not prohibited from importation during the war, should not be allowed' to enter New after the war, except under a 50 per oent. surtax, over and above tho. regular import duties. Saturday being "Australia Day," tha passengers and .ship's company of the Ii.M.S. Niagara celebrated it fij putting up amongst themselves,tho sum of £340 18s, 6d. for the Australian Fund for Sick and Wounded Soldiers. The' Rickards Follios'Company, who were aboard, took up the matter heartily, and a concert was held in the saloon on Saturday night, many of the artists contributing. The ship's company, by subscription, raised £70 of the total. A French flag, autographed by Madame Mclba, and given to the, fund, by Miss; Marie Hall, was auctioned, and realised £51 10s.' A gold watch and a twelve months' ; season ticket for Rickards' theatres were also put up. The members of the Follies Company, be-sides-helping professionally, gave £100' in cash. The money was handed in at the Auckland office of the Union Company for transmisison to Sydney.

Notice Has been given by Mr. J. B. Hino in the House of Representatives to ask the Minister .of Defence whether he will take the necessary stops to abolish the useless but expensive system of compelling officers of the New Zea- | land Defence Forces to wear swords, ' and in lieu of swords to arm officers with revolvers.

Dwellings for workers was among the / subjects discussed'by the Agricultural i Conference yesterday. The following . resolution was passed:—"That -operations under the Workers' Dwellings Acta be pushed moro in country districts when the Government has time to afc« tend to tho matter, especially in ths • vicinity of schools."

•-...-Dr. Neirman gave notice, in the House : of Representatives yesterdays to • ask : tile Prime Ministerial) What numb'ov of temporary Government employees liavo been.held to he debarred oy ago from . being _ permanent ;officers in tho Publio'Service, although'iii some cases such a stop has, been desired and recommended by- a Department? ' (2) Whether. he will introduce legislation s tins session guaranteeing suoh einploy- •• ' e ° 3 continuous ' employment, annual salaries, aud annual increments,' subject' to good conduct.'' during V the. few : remaining years - which will elapse be-

..■■•. foro they attain tho age. of sixty-five years • and if suoh legislation (which should be retrospective, to-tho date of tho. 1913 Act, "to cover tho cases of men who' have been dismissed, by, tho Public Service Commissioner for causes other than misconduct or whose continuous employment has similarly been broken by him) cannot be passed now, will he arrange with the. Commissioner to at once amend tho present regulations in tenns of the desired legislation • until the latter has been passed 8 . The v present regulations, said' Dr. Newman, fa.ll far short of the wishes expressed in all parts of the House during the debato . -on tho 1913 Act. ' The; chairman of the Patriotic Society (Mr. H: -G}.-Hill) stated l last night that he had. received a telegram from the Mayor at 7.45 that evening : inviting members of the. executive and their wives and himself aiid Mt3. v Hill to bs v present at the Town Hall this afternoon V at the reception to the soldiers, returning by the Willochra... "Mr. .Hill said' ho , " was rather surprised that the invitation had come s6_ late, in view of the "fact- , that the.:society was anxious to assist in the display of bunting arid to do any-thing-else in its power to make the welcome to It-he soldiers a warm one. "It is too late to get into touoh with members of tho executive," said Mr. Hill, "and personally I would not think of taking any part in the proceedings nn- , less my colleagues were present. That being so'l shall endeavour to cheer tho boys to the best of my ability as they •pass along the street." ■ ■ "May: I suggest that when these deputations wait' on'tho Stato Departments they should inquire when we .may expect 'a reply from last year's deputation, . and ; the deputation' of the year heforo that," remarked Mr. B. Hall at tho Agricultural Conference yesterday. He added that cither the Departments . who had promised replies in other years liad'run out of postage stamps, or rather a largo number of betters had been mislaid. ' At a meeting of the Now Zealand ; Natives' Association,'held last evening; a Ladies' Guild was formed:, to* look after, the wants of the sick and wounded New Zealand soldiers.' The main ob- , Iject of tho meeting was .to provide'that ' no sick or wounded soldier in tho Wellington district should be without a. visitor. In _tho case of infectious diseases the ladies' duty will he to keep in touch i . with the medical authorities. and find out tho condition of .patients and communicate with their nearest relatives, i ; : .' A motion: will come before the-Napier — Borough Council ,on Friday' which asks that £1000 be speiit .on other than or\diiiary maintenance work, so as to deal ' ■ with unemployment which may arise ■..v: 'during the, next three months.. ' At a, J meeting of the "'Paliiatua (Borough Council on Monday, Coun■'cillor,: .Herbert . moved' that,,,. in .view .of the world-wide ' system of espionage, instigated iby our. enemies ' and N the terrible losses our, soldiers and - sailors have suffered, thereby! this council requests the Prime Minister to immediately dispense with the services of all unnatural:sed Germans in Government employ or receiving: Government moneys. ,»This 'was supported by the Mayor, and carried unanimously. *