TELEGRAMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 January 1917, Page 2

TELEGRAMS.

Jpek press association.—oopybight].

Produce Taken Over Wellington, Jan 4 The Hoa W. D. S. MacDonald, Minister cf Agriculture, stated tonight that oa behalf of tbe Imperial Government the New Zealand Government bad made oueesa produc3raan oiler of 9sd per lb f.o b. in the Dominiou. At a conference to-day the producers agreed to accept the offer, subj3ot to certain terms which had been cabled Heme, and a reply is expeeled this weok. TLb proposal, said the Minister, ip

to buy on shipment, up to a certain point at a'-y rite, but details are still beirg considered. With regard to wheat, Mr MacDonald stated that be doss not expect to have the whole of the proposals completed before tha end of the week. “We ebould have been saved a lot of trouble,” he said, “if peopls bad waited till our offer was made to the farmers and it was seen how they received it, instead of rushing at once into priat and wasting a lot of ink and good white paper.” “So far as the main clip is concerned,” the Minister added, “everything ia now going wall in regard to wool. The valuers are all at work, but we could do with more shipping space. We are going to take over hides, pelts and skins, and lam to meet the fellmongers to-mGrrow to discuss the question of sheepskins and pelts.”

New Zealand HidesAuckland, Jan 4 _ The Hon A. M. Myerg, reelying to a deputation, said that it was true tbafr the Imperial authorities had decided to commandeer all New Zealand hides. The matter was now engaging the attention of the Minister of Commerce and Industries and arrangements would be made for sufficient hides to be obtained for local requirements and military purposes. If the price for commandeered hides was not fixed by January 12, he would consider extend* ing ths time for tenders for the con* venienoa of tanners giving prices to boot manufacturers.

Fined £IOO Auckland, Jin 4 In tbe Police Court to-day Robert CardSißh Hacking, formerly adjutsnt of tbe Third Aucblacdß?gimeut, was charged with having failed to produce to the Audit. Office a receipt for the sum of £25 drawn on maintenance account. Defendant admitted the offence, The oheqaoa were cashed at the hotel where he staved.. He stated the money was used in the regunent’a behalf. He had been kept very busy with regimental affairs and could not say what had become of the receipts. He had arranged to ref and The money this month. The Magistrate said the charge was laid under the Pnblio Revenues Act. The amonct of fine as fixed by statute, £IOO, was imposed, War Orphans. Dunedin, Jan 4 The proposal to establish homes for war orphans in the Sotith Island was considered by representatives of religious bodies to-day, the Primate presiding, It was resolved that it was the duty of the Government to make provision for the maintenance of orphan children in their own homes, and to strongly oppose any scheme tending to break up home and family life. In cases where home life was impossible the existing organisations were able to meet the present needs.