LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 165, 2 April 1918, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

o A Press Association' telegram from Christchurcii slates that a New Zealand hospital ship arrived at her destination, all well, on March '20. A slight shock of earthquake was felt in Wellington at 7.22 o'clock yesterday morning. "We are working on very short supplies of coal," said the Minister of Munitions and Supplies, tho Hon. A. M. Myers, in Auckland. The Minister said that, owing to tho shipping ; shortage, it was difficult to import from Newcastle tho normal quantities that were received in pre-war timer,. It was fortunate, however, that the controlling authorities set up by tho Government some timo ago were in existence. These authorities and tho various local committees had been doing good work in the direction of allocating tho available coal, firstly, among tho most essential industries, and to provide for tho transit of passengers and goods over the railways. "Considering tho demands that aro being made upon us for the purposes named, and for the bunkering of supply ships carrying food to tho Old Country, and of transports," said Mr. Myers, "all engaged in the coal-mining-iw'-'stry should consider themselves to lie doing work of a helpful character towards winning tho war. It is to bo hoped, therefore, that, viewed from this standpoint alone, the questions which formed the. subject-matter of a conference held this week between tho Prime) Minister and representatives of the coal-miners, will bo satisfactorily settled. It is of vital importance, not only to New Zealand, hut to the Empire, that every available ton of coal should fe forthcoming from the Dominion mines." Poultry-keeping as a suitable avocation for returned Boldiers met with the hearty approval of the N.Z. Poultry Conference yesterday, when the following remit'was adopted:—"That the Government he asked to relegate the question of returned soldiers and poultry-keeping to the Department of Agriculture, and that full information D( f obtained from Australia of the system adopted by the Commonwealth Government." According to Mr. W. A. Gee, in Australia the Government was making big strides in this direction, and had set aside a number of settlements for the industry. Mr. J. B. Morrett, secretary of the association, contended that the conference should go direct to tho Government on the matter, while tho president (Mr. F.. Callichan) pointed out that in Australia the Minister had already sitriufiod his disapproval of the work being done over thore. Nevertheless, .tho remit was a step in the right direction. It was nothing short of wilful murdpit, remarked Mr F. Gibbons, to put n nerve-wracked soldier from the front on a iioultry-nm. Tt was a livelihood that required constant attention and great labour. "Cow-spanking" was not in it with poultry-keeping. Amongst the visitors to Auckland is Lieutenant Walter Marks, R.N.V.R., Commodore of tho Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club, who is on furlough after three and a half years' naval service. Ho was on board Sir Thomas Lipton's steam yacht Erin, which was accompanying tho baronet's racing yacht Shamrock across the Atlantic on August 5, 1914, when a wireless messago was received that England bad declared war on Germany. The Erin thereupon made fast to tho Shamrock and towed her to Bermuda, and from thence to New York, where she has been hauled up over since. The Shamrock was being taken across the Western Ocean to sail again for the America Cup. Itis hoped the race will be got off when the war is over. Tho Poultry Division of the Agricultural Department en mo in fur hearty commendation at yesterday's conference of tho N.Z. Poultry Assertion. In referring to tho serrces cf Departmental officers, the president (Mr. E. Gallichan) specially mentioned Mr. F. C. Brown, chief poultry instructor, Mr. J. L. Bruce, assistant director of the Live Stock Division, and Messrs. C. Coussens and A. Salisbury, assistant instructors. Delegates concurred in their president's observation that the aforementioned officers wefe ever ready to help poultry-farmers and put them' right. They spared themselves no trouble and gave their tirrto freely and willingly. In reply, Mr. Bruce said that the results of tno conference would receivo every attentiotn. Mr. Brown also addressed the conference. Tho N.Z. Poultry Conference yesterday decided at its annual conference "to convoy its congratulations to Messrs. Green Bros., of Chrilitchuxch, in having the first bird in New Zealand to lay 300 eggs in an official test. It was mentioned that the bird had laid 311 eggs to date, and has eight more days to go to complete the year. "We think the Government should allow its proposed legislation to be Considered by the people," said tho Grand Master at tho Oddfellows' Conference yesterday. "I would say that copies of all Bills to bo dealt with in Paifiamont should ho exhibited in tho post offices before passing into law,_ urgent measures to be excepted. This wcjuld prevent legislation being pushed through before protests or appeals could bo made." The difficulties under which the Friendly Societies' Department has worked we're mentioned at the Oddfellows' Conference yesterday. It was stated that tho Registrar had been working with a depleted staff, and had lost some of .his trained men owing to their finding moro profitable employment with private firms than thi3 Department could offer them. The secretary of tho con'ferenco said that a Government Department ought to be enabled to pay as much for skillod services as any private firm could pay. ■ The Friendly Societies' Conference decided yesterday' to vote a- sum of £25 for tho assistance of sufferers by the 'ltaetihi fires. It was montioned that although soveral lodge members had suffered serious loss, the majority of them did not wish to receive •assistance. Tho Wanganui district propo* ed to inako a grant. An endeavour has been made by the Government to assist tboso interested in the importation of case oils, in the direction of procuring shipping spaco from the United States to New Zealand. In discussing tho matter, the Hon. A. M. Myers, Minister of Munitions and Supplies, is reported to have said that this action by the Government had been taken as a result of a conferenco between himself, his advisers, and the principal importers. There was every prospect of the Dominion's normal requirements being adequately catered for during the next four or five months. In view of the many difficulties in regard to securing shipping space, however, it. behoved all consumers of illuminating oils and motor spirits to exercise the keenest economy in their use. He hoped tho Government's representations would result in increased tonnage being obtained, for, in the absence of an adequate supply of ships for this purpose, it would, no doubt, be necessary to consider measures for conserving supplies of oils and motor spirits. Mr. Myers said he was now considering the question of regulation of the distribution of available supplies. Meanwhile- suppliers of oil were only delivering to their regular customers the amount of their normal monthly requirements. This would ensure that no one was creating a reserve stock. A. census was being taken by his Department giving information as to the whole of tho stock in hands of consumers and vendoi'B.

The minister of Education remarked a feiv days ago that with the funds at his disposal the- difficulty was to provide- even for the needs of primary education, which Mime first with him. New Plymouth now possessing a population of over 8000 has become- an urban area under the Education Act, and is entitled to have two members on the Taranaki JMucation Board, whoso members at the election to bo held in August will be increased from bix to eight. "Tho Government is making a further appeal for money to carry on this war to a finish," said the Grand Master at the Oddfellows' Conference yesterday. "Tho pcoplo of this country have made a compact, sealed by blood, entered into by tho living and the dead, that they will not bo beaten by tho brutal foe. They have pledged themselves to find tho money necessary to provide our boys with goods, clothing, equipment, hospital arrangements, and other numerous requirements. They are morally bound to provide adequate pensions. For these purposes money is required. You aro not asked to give, hut to lend your money at reasonable interest. Therefore let every lodge member support tho loan. Let lodge challenge lodge,- member challenge member in their contributions to tho Government loan." "Tho chorus is composed wholly of returned' soldiers, men rejected for military service, or married men," was the reply given by one of the managerial staff of the J. C. Williamson Royal Comic Opera Company when ask- ! Ed a direct question as to how many ' of the members of the male chorus of I the company are eligible for military J service.