STRANDED NEW ZEALANDERS

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 40, 10 November 1921, Page 6

STRANDED NEW ZEALANDERS

GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE SOUGHT. Mr. W.‘ T. Jennings (Waitomo) yesterday t kl the Prime Minister that ho knew ■ a number of New Zealanders at Home who were in unfortunate circumstances and wished to return to this country. Would the Government, he inquired, do anything to assist such people? The Prime Minister said that he had discussed the matter with the High Commissioner. They had arranged that every case should be considered on its merits. Some of the New Zealanders to whom Mr. Jennings referred had been brought back to New Zealand after the war and discharged here. They had afterwards made their way back 'to Britain and were now anxious to reach New Zealand once more. It seemed hardly to be the duty of the Government to give assistance in such cases. Ho would be glad, however, to ask the High Commissioner to do anything that was possible in the circumstances. generation - ?? power COUNTY COUNCILS’ LICENSE FEES. “Numbers of county councils throughout the Dominion are generating power from their ovtn water-races, etc., to supply light to townships within their borders, and it works out as a distinct hardship to these county councils to have tt pay heavy license and inspection fees,” stated Mr. T. D. Burnett (Teinuka) in asking the Minister of Public Works whether he would bring! down legislation giving county councils the same rights as city and borough corporations, which were allowed to use surplus water from their water-supply works for the generation of electric power, without being charged license or any other fees. “City and borough corporations,” the Minister replied, "are at present required to pay inspection fees, and it is proposed to provide for the payment of license fees in addition.” ALLEGED MALmT PROSECUTION Edward Leonard Hornibrook, Assistantdirector of works, General Defence Headquarters, Wellington, has petitioned Parliament for compensation for alleged malicious prosecution in respect of two purchases of articles from the Defence Department. He states in his petition that the proceedings against him were taken at the instigation of an official of the Audit Department, and that when they came before the Magistrate they were dismissed, tho Magistrate holding that there was no case to answer nnd that it was unnecessary to call upon the defence for evidence or an address.