TELEGRAMS

Hokitika Guardian, 11 May 1917, Page 3

TELEGRAMS

Per Press Association. —-Copyright. THE COAL"MINERS A Conference. WELLINGTON, May 10. The Conference between the ooal mine owners'and the* miners was to have opened to-day, but when thay assembled this) Afternoon tne mine** tusked 1 for an adjournment until tomorrow morning. This was agreed to. The Union delegates met Sir Jam©* Allen, but the result of the proceedings is not available. State Mine Not PayingWELLINGTON, May -0. Sir James Allen said in an interview to-day that the State Coal Mines are not paying .They ought to he made to pay. It wa's not fair to the ordinary tax payer to bo taxed to make up for the loss, or. that the Government mines should lie working at a loss, lhey should bo able to compete with private rniney which have to show a profit. So far the offer of the Canterbury syndicate to purchase the State mine* has not been before the Cabinet. WELLINGTON, May 10. A Conference was held to-day between: the members of the .Governmentand the owners of the coal mines, feii James Allen subsequently stated that the owners had conne to see the Government because of the difficulties periencod in carrying out contracts, owing to increase in priees. The outcome of tlm interview was that the Attorney-General would consider what powers the Government possessed t» dealing with private contracts ana tne Minister of Railways will consider th~> question of contracts for Railway*. mi m « i im m T PassportsWELLINGTON, May 10. Tlie -Government has received instructions from the Home authorities that all persons' travelling to the United States must have passport*. Farmer’s ueath. Rotorua, May 9 Ernest Ball, 45 years of age, and single, committed suicide at Taupo on Saturday by shooting himself in the head with a pea-rifle. He occupied a small farm and received moneys from England. The reason for the suicide is not known. Restriction RemovedWellington, May 9 The restriction on certain companies, firms and persons in Portn Rico, the Philippine Islands and the United States has been removed. The revocation follows upon the declaration of war between the United States and Germany, now that it is the duty of the States to see that American subjects do not trade with the enemy. A Fatal Fire.

Palmerston North, May 10 A fatal fire broke out in Alexander Street, at a bouse occupied by a man name.d Freeman, who was away from hom9 when the house was discovered in flames by a passer-by. When the debris was searched the charred body of a woman, presumably Mrs Freeman was found. Sbs bad evidently attempted (o escape but had been overcome by smoke. Six O’Clock Closing, Dunedin, May 9

The movement for 6 o’clock closing of hotel bars continues. The city and suburbs are to be divided into blocks and a canvass made for signatures to a monster petition. Gisborne Fatalities. Gisborne, May 7

At an inquest regarding the death of Charles Calder, a lighterman, who was drowned on Saturday, the Magistrate found that deceased was in chrage of a lighter and had control of the tiller, which possibly became displaced by a sudden roll of the sea, thereby throwing him into the sea, and that thereby be received a severe Bbock, causing his death At an iv.'quest on Henry Hoar?, killed at Patutabi a verdict that deceased met bis death by being run over by a tax', no blame being attached to anyone, was returned.

A Substanial Gift. Auckland, May 11 The Auckland Racing Racing Club Committee have donated £IOOO to the Salvation Artay Institute at Featherston.