LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2572, 21 September 1915, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

In two hours and four minutes last night tho Housb of Representatives transacted a quantity of business which under ordinary circumstances would have been sufficient to occapy it for two long days: It was announced that tho r.ight would be spent in discussion o! questions, and l in dealing with local Bills. Members did not wish to discuss questions, the local Bills went through at hurricane speed, and then the Government found other business for the House. Among this other business was an Imprest Bill, usually a day's work, but it was out of the way in less than a quarter of an hour. Other small Bills were ihen advanced a stage. The achievement of the night is a formidable one. An Imprest Bill through all stages, sis public Bills read a second timo, two local Bills • read a second time, six local Bills through Committee, and sis local Bills read a third time. Tho Opposition benches were almost onlpty.

Last night's Gazette Extraordinary prohibits the importation to Now Zealand of tho newspapers "Direct Action" and "Solidarity," .ind all other printed matter published or printed or purporting to be published or printed by or on behalf of the society known as "The Industrial Workers of the World."

Tho Minister of Internal Affairs (the Hon. G. W. Russell) 6tated in Parliament last night, in reply to a question put by Mr. R. W. Smith (Waimarino), that it is hoped to be able to make.a definite announcement this week regarding the of patriotic art unions, raffles, auctions, »etc. - Apropos of the remarks passed by the Hon. R. M'Nab, Minister of Marine, at tho Combined Shipping Companies' smoke concert on Saturday evening regarding' tho shortage of seamen, it is interesting to .learn that about 20 per cent, of the seafaring men employed in New Zealand waters are serving the Empire, either on sea or land. Some 600 men out of a total membership of about 8000 in the Federated Seamen's Union of New Zealand havo given their services. About 200 are Naval Reservists who wero called up at the OTtsct of the war. Some of the men on H.M.S. Philomel and others have enlisted wit!h the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces, or are in tho Army in other parts or the Empire. The consequonce is that, with the same number of vessels in commission as before the war, seamen do not get many opportunities for holiday on shore in : between jobs. As soon as they leave one vessel thoy are wanted to sign on in A trooper named Harry Cottle pleadednot guilty iu the Magistrate's _ Court yesterday to a charge of stealing a lady's coat valued at £3 from Ellen C. Hall. Mr. P. W. Jackson appeared on his behalf. _ -After hearing flio evidence the Magistrate said thero was an element of doubt about tho case, and lie would dismiss tho information. In reply to a question put by Dr. Newman (Wellington East), the Prime Minister (the Right Hon. W. F. Ma - sey) stated last night that during the recess the Goveriment will carefully "consider, the question of .equipping trawlers,' so as to provide fish for the people, to help reduce the cost of living.

Telegraphic advice was received* at local'police headquarters yesterday that n boy named Harry 'Hoperoft bad been killed by a t'raiu at. Pigeon Hnsi:, near Featherston, yesterday. ' Replying to Mr. Hudson (Motueka) in Parliament last niglit, the Prime Minister (tho Eight Hon. Vf. . F ■ Massey) said that the full&st inquiries are beino; made both as to tho quantity and quality of any lands proposed to be set aside for returned soldiers, and reports will also be obtained from Government officers and others qualified to give such information. Tho Wounded Soldiers' Fund will benefit by over £1600", by tho recent mock trial held, at Hastings.

"Tipirero" is just . as. popular a refrain with the Maoris as "Tippsrary is with the British "Tonimy" in I'landers. On Saturday afternoon, at tho banquet in the Concert Chamber, tho familiar music-hall ditty was sung in Maori and English as the fit seized the Binders. In order that they shall not forget the Native version of it..tho National Keserve Headquarters distributed postcards to the men on dav, bearing four bars of tlio music, the-refrain in-Maori, and a facsimile of the Contingent badge, which.is .inscribed witli the words ' Hoko tt hitu-a-Tu"/ (tlio lighting warriors of tlio. war An inquest will bo held at tho "Wellington Hospital at 4.30 o'clock to-mor-row afternoon into tho death of Inouias Quinn, a wharf labourer, who died at the Hospital on Saturday from injuries roceived as tiio result of an accident 011 the wharf. Subsequently an" inquiry will bo held into the death of a little boy, Jack Ward, who died at tho Hospital on Saturday from injuries recsived through being run over by a trailer:attached to a steam wagon.

From Poverty Bay comes the news that the prevailing shortage of labour occasioned by tho war is being talcen advantage of by tlio Nativo shearers of tho East Coast to force rates abovo those sot out in the current award. The award provides for tlio payment of 20s. per 100 sheep and lambs, shorn by hand or maehino, with rations, and 235. per 100 if- tho shearers find their own food; shed hands, pressors, and rollers, Is. 2d. per hour; all others, Is. Id. per hour, with rations, or 15s. per week extra if shecUliands find for themselves. Tlio Natives arc demanding 2os. per 100 and found, or 275. por 100 and find themselves; for shed hands, 12s. Gd. a day and found, or 15s. a day and find themselves; and for cooks £4 (first) and £2 10s. (assistant). The Poverty Bay and East Coast Slieepowners' TJnion has considered the demands, and resolved to adhere to award rates.

Tho fast coming summer season turns one's mind to tho pleasant thrills ond joj'6 of motoring, and to tho car of the season—the Chevrolet. Tho sturdy and sweet-runninjt Chevrolet cars are attracting the admiration of the Motorists who know. Tho Dominion Motor Vehicles, Ltd., G5 Courtcnay Place, are willing to demonstrate to you, so why not make an appointment at onco?—Advt.

Military men, commercial men, men in overy walk of life, can bo fitted with comfortablo easy lilting boots at Gco.,Fowlds, Ltd., Manners Street, vendors of the best British and Colonial makes.—Advt.

A man was arrested by Detectives Mason and Tricklebank yesterday on a charge of stealing a, cheque for £3. Considerable damage was done to the stock and fittings of Mr. H. W. Lloyd's jeweller's and watchmaking establishon Lambtou Quay early yesterday morning by a flood of water which had descended into the shop from the dentist's premises of Mr. Power overhead. It appears that tho plumbers had been working at the waterpipes in Mr. Power's rooms, and had cut off .two pipes that fed a basin (which had been removed). Instead of plugging up tho pipe-ends at knocking-ofr time on Saturday they turned off a general tap, and when that was turned- on to supply other needs in the building, tho water Gowcd out from the two pipe-ends, spread over the floor, and poured in a torrent into Mr. Lloyd's shop below, with damaging results. The show-win- * dow on the Quay was subjected to a ! shower-bath, and a lot of boxes of new goods stored in the space over the window wero thoroughly saturated, whilst t-lie floor of the shop was awash and the side show-windows wero also invaded. Preaching at the Napier Cathedral on v Sunday, Canon Mayne said the renewal of religious feeling remarked at the commencement of tho war was fading away.The British nation was not as united as it should be, and there was evidence of prevalent vices and of quarrelling. More unity was required, and if- the war did not result in drawing all nearer to God it would bo without result.