LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 52, 26 November 1918, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The Telegraph Office has resumed acceptance of Government and full ordinary rate messages for the United Kingdom nnd Europe, via Pacific.

Tho Prime Minister has received from London a cablegram inviting him to address a meeting under tho auspices of the Empire Producers' Organisation after his arrival in England. "Will you accept it?" Mr. Massey was asked yesterday. "Yes, I'will accept it-if I go," replied the Prime Minister.

The House of Representatives will meet at 11 a.m. to-day, and the Legislative Council at.2.30 p.m. The Minister of Finance will read -his Budget in .the House this evening. Cabinet spent some time _ on the Licensing Bill yesterday, and made amendments that will delay the presentation of the Bill to the House. The Imperial authorities have not yefc made a final reply with reference to the butter purchase, but the deal is regarded practically as completed. SpnA minor points have still to be adjusted. In the meantime the dairy companies are making arrangements 'for finance through the banks, and no difficulty is,, anticipated in that respect.

. A question of some importance in military circles is settled by a notice in General Orders. Where a scale of ratioM is laid down and issues in kind nre made it is to be clearly understood that only such supplies required and authorised by that scale may be drawn. The value of the ration lor allowance purposes only is fixed at 2s. per diem, and where rations in kind are drawn it is not to be assumed that all ranks are entitled to a ration costing 2s. per diem.

Tho Pacific Cable Board's steamer Iris was in port yesterday taking in a fresh supply of cable. She succeeded in picking up the two ends of the Oteran»i cables, but, faults were ■ discovered «i both sides, and these will entail extra work.

Supplies of strawberries were lighter on Friday than they were earlier in the week, owing to the. change in the weather, the "New Zealand Herald" states. There is plenty of fruit on the plants, but it is ripening slowly. Rain followed by warm weather, would be welcomed by growers. Supplies of other fruits are scarco just now, owing to tho shortage of shipping. Tho prospects for a good supply of stone fruits arc liot bright, as the weather has been unsuitable.

It is stated in General Orders that men employed on home service in military camps, forts, internment camps, hospitals, and quai-nitines may be granted fourteen days' lcnvo on full pay annually. Men employed on home service at General or District Headquarters other than those specified-in (1) may bo granted annual leave for seven days, phis such Departmental holidays as may ))O authorised from lime to time, on full pay. All other leave granted will bo without pay, excepting sick leave, for which special regulations exist.

Cable- advice has been received by an Auckland merchant that outward freights from Great Britain to New Zealand are now being quoted at Ji7 10s. a ton, a reduction of 25 per cent, from tho recent rate of .CIO. It is explained that this reduction in freight rates, combined with the recently announced reduction in war risk insurance to a nominal rate, will enable goods to bo landed in New Zealand at substantially lower cost. The curtailment in tho transport charges on imported goods may in fact bo shortly reflected in a corresponding: reduction in Iho cost of living.

"A few days ugo a statement was published on th- , authority of Dr. Frciiglcy, the Deputy Chief Health .Officer, that Ihoso engaged in treat ing influenza ]>iilients would not take upon'themselves to experiment with vaccines. He considered that tho vaccine could only be used safely after its cil'ect had been closely observed. With reference to this statement, a gentleman occupying a high position in business circles in Wellington has offered to allow any experiment that may bo desired to bo performed upon him. Ho insists that his name shall not bo made known. His letter has been referred to the Chief Health Officer for consideration."

Mr. J. Castle, a member of the W<?l-. lington City Council, has decided to contest tho by-election for Wellington South seat rendered vacant by tho death of Mr. A. il. Hindmarsh.