LATE NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 March 1917, Page 4

LATE NEWS.

(FIK PRESS ASSOCIATION.—COPYEICHTj, Palmerston North, March 21 Mr J. M. Johnston, president of tho Manawatu Agricultural and Pastoral Association, received a telegram from Mr G. P. Taradale, H&wkes Bay: “ Hearty congratulations to you and committee on the stand you have taken regarding agricultural and pastoral shows In appreciation I have much, pleasure in increasing my annual subscription during the war to 10 guineas. I am atbongly of opinion that they should not be discontinued. I also 1 bold the same opinion as regards racing, and am satisfied that our heroes fighting for King and Empire would not bs a party to deprive their friends and relatives of their only outdoor sport. lam hoping tbe metropolitan: and other clubs will go into tbe matter most carefully and assist the Governmoot by redneing the number of raca days if possible.”

LONDON, March 24. The Nationalists had a two hours' meeting at the House of Commons, hut it is uindrstood they will not announce their attitude until the Government presents ther scheme in its eniroty. Mr .Redmond was ill and unable to attend, and the meeting was adjourned till Wednesday. LONDON March 2d. The Manchester Guardian understands (that the solution of the Irish question contemplates the applying of the Homo Itule Act, with financial modifications and provisions for country option, accompanied by a device enabling self oxcluded artas to enjoy the Irish Parliament’s domestic legislation as far as desired this option to be renewed at each general election until complete unity is effeoted. THE IRISH QUESTION Discussed in Commons LONDON, March 23. In the House of Commons, Mr. Donald Mac Neill said that Mr. Dillon’s untrue suggestion that the Ulsterities had negotiations with Germany’s agent was a most seriousi obstacle to a settlement. It would only create discontent and distrust. Ho was convinced that the oversea representatives would not touch the Irish question with a barge pole. Ulster was not the obstacle to settlement. Already they had made large concessions to the Nationalists, but the Nationalists had made none. -Mr. Dollar Law welcomed the tono of the debato. He repudiated the idea that he desird a general election. There was nothing lie detested more. He was nbt thinking of party advantage or \ °f Die chance of winning the election but ho realised it was the whole nation’s I desire that we should live In peace

and friendship with the people of tho south and west of Ireland, if that was possible. It was not right to impose Home Rule on Ulster unless Ulster would submit. If 'the Nationalists openly avowed that they were prepared to act in tho same spirit as the British parties then ho (Mr. Bonar Law) believed it would be easier to make arrangements' with Ulster. The present position was a blemish on our statesmanship, but it was not all the statesmen’s fault. He believed England desired to act justly for Ireland. The Government was prepared to grant self-government to Ireland to-morrow self-government- to Ireland to-morrow where it way distinctly demanded. The Government wanted a settlement but sacrifices were necessary on all sides in order to achieve it. The Irish question acted as a handicap in carrying on the war. If we make another attempt and fail the position will bo worse. That makes us hesitate. The Government have decided on their own responsibility in some way or other to make another attempt at settlement. (Loud cheers). The House knows tho difficulties, and, I hope, will not press for a fuller statement now, but give the Government a little time for consideration. We think it worth while to make the attempt—whether it succeeds or fails.

Mr. Asquith said: I think I may expreys on behalf of tho whole House and satisfaction of tho arrangement. Personally I think it better to make an attempt and fail than not to make it at all. The Government will realise that they have the sympathy and active eo-oporation of all of us. Hon. Mr. Dalziel’s motion was negatived and the Bill read a second, time. LONDON, March 23.—Mr F. A. Newdegato has been appointed a Commander of the Order of St. Michael and St George.

N.S W. ELECTIONS National Party’s Success 'SYDNEY, March 25. The weather was fine for the elections, and the voting was heavy, and everything passed off quietly. By midnight, when tho counting had ceased, no returns were complete, but tho majority of them were sufficiently far advanced to show that the Nationalists had secured a solid victory on the incomplete figures. Those arc capable, however, of considerable alteration. The state of the parties appears approximately thus:—• National Government 52 Political Labour League 27 Independent ...-. 3 Doubtful 8 The outstanding features are the defeats of Meagher (Lord Mayor and Speaker of the Assembly) for the Phillip electorate, where he stood as an Independent Laborito against Doyle (President of the P.L.L.). James McGowan, an old Labour leader and former Premier was defeated by Nickell; and Arthur Griffith at one time Minister for Works, was defeated by O’Brien.

All tho Ministers appear sa-ic, though one or two are not altogether out of the wood. Premier ITolman is putting up a great fight at Cootamundra. John Storey, leader of the 'Labourites had an easy victory ait Balmain. •Second ballots will be required in six, probably seven, seats; four of them between Nationalists; ono between a Nationalist and an independent; and two between a Nationalist and Labour.

Suffering Soldiers WELINGTON, March 22. The atention if the Minister in charge of Hospitals, having been called to the question raised by the Returned 'Soldiery Conference regarding the treatment of roturnesd soldiers who are mental patients Hon G . W. Russell states that lie recently made inquiries into the position. Hitherto the Department’s policy regarding soldiers suffering from neurasthenia shell shock, and other forms of mental disease had been to treat them in a special institution at Pukctaraki, Otago, under trained specialists in those troubles the treatment being largely outdoor with facilities for fishing and boating. Great success resulted but in cases where the disease took a more advanced from the mee wore unfortunately compelled to be sent to mental hospitals as tho law provided and no distinction could he made between soldiers and civilian patients. “I find,” said Mr. Russel, “that there are only ten returned soldiers in this category. They are in three different hospitals. When recently in Auckland I consulted Dr. Beattie Superintendent of the Auckland Mental Hospital who- stated that flic institution there known as the Wolff Home has every qualification for the use of these patients in the North Island. I therefore propose to utilise it in the same way as the Pukctaraki for the Sonin Island for the neurasthenia and shell shock cases from, the war. I have recej v eel no letter from The Returned .Soldiers Association but directly it arrives it will he answered.”"

Imperial Conference. LONDON, March 23. All the delegates recommended the prolongation of the third meeting or the Imperial War Cabinet. Tho Overseas’ delegates were much impressed with the importance of the matters presented for their consideration in Cabinet. An Appeal LONDON, March 24.—Tho Privy Council has reserved it s judgment in the appeal of the Now Zealand Attorney General versus Brown and others.