Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star THUSDAY, MAY 17, 1917 THE CONFERENCE FAILURE.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 May 1917, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star THUSDAY, MAY 17, 1917 THE CONFERENCE FAILURE.

The statement pat forward by the Goal Miners’ Federation, following the failure of the recent conference with the employees, shifts the ground of dispate to a point where the pnblio must become greatly interested. At the same time, in shifting their groandi the Federation in demanding an increase of pay, are in the position of finding their olaims considerably discounted by reason of the faot that for some weeks, if not months, past the miners were content to earn and live on “ go slow ” rates. This faot has given the employers a handle which they have not been slow to use, and has given them substantial reasons for declining to make the inorease asked for. Bat there are points in the statement pat forward by the Federation whioh are of importanoa to the public, who have to pay all the time, and it would be well, therefore, in the public interests, to have these aspeots probed. The cost of coal in the centres has become a very heavy burden. The statement of the Federation instances that while the cost of production has increased by 8d per ton, the charge to the consumers has gone up by 8/ per too. With the Board of Trade, Efficiency Board, and ocher councils of advice, it would appear that the time was ripe for this matter to be looked into very closely. No doubt the increased wages for the shipping world which have been passed on to the public in higher freights, has in tarn helped to increase the price of coal, for thus are the excuses made for, first, passing on these increases, and, second, adding to the cost of the consumer who has the pleasure all' the time of payiog for these increases. The advice the Federation offers by means of the analogy drawn between Government action in regard to wool, and the want of action In regard to coal, should not be lost on the public. Any action the Government might now take need not be governed by any tender thoughts for the employers or the miners, but really for the public who should be primarily considered in this matter. The faot that at this juncture there is an effort to get the State coal mines into private hands is significant of what monopoly might do. The State mine has been a break on the price of coal, bad and all as the business has been conducted, If the Government would consider the people as a whole iu preference to a olass, it would do muoh better with State management. The State mine, as we 1 as other State industries which must come, should be put under a National Board and managed as busins-s institutions. In other branches of enterprise this hag

been done successfully and the same success would follow in regard to the State coal mines under like conditions. By that means friction would be avoided, and the same conditions as lately arose would not recur. The failure of the recent Conference has ' thus brought out facts and issaes which should be profitable to the people in the end, if the Government have the courage to follow them up as diligently as they sbonld.

The Charitable Aid) Board met last

evening at live o’clock, the intention being to comp’ete the business by seven o’clock so as to allow the Ross members to get back by the 7.15 p.m. train. The business, however, took a long time lo deal with and it was 9 30 p.m. before the Board rose. Mrs E. Finch of Arahura yesterday received a telegram from the Minister of Defence informing her that her son, Private J. H. P. Finch, who left New Zealand with the 11th Reinforcements had been wounded on May 4th. A wide circle of friends of the young man in this districts will sympathise with him a'nd hope to get news of his recovery. There was a oapital programme at Pollard’s Pictures l*at evening. Two stars were shown ‘‘Htr Great Hour,” a well thought out drama, and “flia Picture in the Papers,” a olßver amusing comedy introducing many laugbabl9 situations. There was also a very clever oartoon sketch which served to put the audience in real good humor.

The Charitable Ail Boarl appointed a new Committee last evening, a Benevolent Committee, consisting of Messrs Blank (Hokitika),Gummoni (Ross) and Roberts (Kumara) who are to manage the distribution of benevolent aid in their respective districts between meetings. One of their first t'sks is to. revise the present existing a*raagemeut< f r aid now being allowed. -Mr Grimmond entered a strong protest at the Charitable Aid Board meeting last evening at a quantity of correspondence between the Department of Public Health and the Board, in refereuce f o the appointment of a medical officer for Kumara, n .t having been brought forward before. The failure to do so had, Mr Grimmond vehemently proclaimed, placed the Board in their present invidious position, and he desired to voice bis strong protest thereat.

At lha Warden’s Court, Kumars, yesterday, Warden Hutcnieon dealt with the foPosirg applications • Westland Kapitea Brick Goy (Mr Murdool ) surrender.—Adjourned. A. Riobcrduor, haod-sawir g and timberppl t ing warrant. —Aujourned for fnl>'er description. Ed. Hopkins (Mr Mardaob) 1 .cense' for a claim of two acres, Taipc.—Granted. Same, water race, Taipo.—Granted. Joseph Manzini (Mr Murdoch) ordinary prospoctirg license.-Granted. Huh mu & Diamond Terr ca GoldminiDg Coy, application to alter point of intake of water race. —Granted.

The Lady Liverpool Committee (Hokitika branch) are in receipt of the following welcome contributions : From Roes, Mrs Phillips 2 pairs sox; Mrs Foletti,' Mrs O'CaiDgbar, Mrs White, Mrs Murdoch, Mrs W Muir, Mrs Grimmond, Mißs Thompson, Miss A Moore, each 1 pair sox ; Mias Batten 2/; general—MrE. Dove 10/ti; Mr R A Haroourt 10/; Mr R P Stewart 3/; Mis Atkinson (Goldsborougb), Mrs Smith, Mrs Elia (Kacieri) each 5 pairs eov ; Mrs Routhao (Goldsborough), Mrs PimperDell (Stafford), Mrs Mackay, Mrs Irvme, Miss AIIOd, each 4 pairs sox; Mrs Fane, Mrs Garland (Woodstock). Mrs Ward, Miss Winter each 2 pairs sox; Mrs Simpson, Mrs Stevenson, Miss Daie, each 1 pair socks; Mrs Stewart, preserves; Mrs Bennett, buttonholes; Miss Eva and Eleen Fowlar, bu'tonholesi Mr Trurao and Mr Harrison (Rimu) vegetables. There was a long discussion at the Charitable Aid B rnrd meeting last evening over the qu»stion of medical attendance at Kumara and Otira Hospitals. Dr P'eming, whose term of appointment ended yesterday was present and signified his desire to do anything in reason to meet the necessities of the Board. The Board, however, were met with the problem that the Department of Public Health had refused to approve of the appointment of the doctor, who was the only medical man available. Under the circumstances the Board finally resolved to allow +ha engagement to end and to place the onu» of responsibility on the Department. Subsequently the Board met Dr Teichelmann when it was arranged that he provide temporarily, the medical attention necsssary at the two hospitals, though Dr Teichelmann pointed out that the arrangement could not last long as Otira was too far away from Hokitika and a visit there necessitated a lengthy, absence from here, where his services may be required on more urgent cases

There was much discussion at the Charitable Aid Board meeting last evening over the question of an advance of £IOO oa salary made to Dr Fleming on his appointment to Kumara Hospital. The ex-Chairman (Mr A. Clifton) and Mr Wild, in the course of lengthy explanations stated that Dr Fleming had made it a conditiou of his acceptance to enable him to get his furniture, etc, to the Coast, and under the special difficulties of filling the position they had considered it advisable to accede to the request. Dr Fleming last night stated in contradiction that hia reason for asking for the advanee was to ensure a continuity of his engagement beyond the three mouths term of engagement, the repayments to be at the rate of £lO per month. There was a decided contradiction made to this aspect of the compact given by the Board members, who stated that nothing of the sort had been mentioned when the advance was being made. Portion of the amount had been paid from salary and it was resolved to deduct the balance from the salary than due to the medical officer.

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Messrs W. McKay and Son tomorrow morniDg commence their monster Jubilee Sale. Patrons should call early end secure the bargains that are offering. A final reminder is given of the Returned Soldiers’ Asaoo'Mion ball which takes place in the Dull Shed to-night, Very complete arrangements have d%u made fot a crowded attendance.

An Auckland Press Association telegram states that the outlook for the shipment of dairy produce from Auckland is causing much anxiety as, the freezing works are blocked with frozen meat, stored butter, and fruit with little prospect of an early clearance. Unless' some relief ia obtained before August, when the new dairying season begins, the propects of dairy farmers will be serious. Greymouth exported 722 cwt. of butter last year and 550 cwt. the previous year, the values- being £5270 and £3856 respectively. Hokitika’s butter export ran into 2028 cwt. and 1725 cwt. valued at £15,620 and £ll, 964 for the same periods. Hokitika also exported 2380 cwt. of cheese last year, valued at £9267, against 2667 cwt., valued at £8274 for the previous year, Hokitika being the only Coast port to export cheese. ,

The valeu of lime applied to the lands of Southland is everywhere being recognised (says the “Wyndham Herald”). In the words of a district farmer, “Lime has made Southland. That declaration fairly sums' up the situation. No farmer worthy of the name will seek to cultivate his land without the systematic use of lime. The results are most marked in pastura’ge and stock prefer grays grown on limed areas. Where lim© and unlimed strips of land join stock make a nice discrimination.

The euchre tournament and social held in St. Mary’s Club Rooms last evening, proved beyond doubt a great success'. Eighty players sat to com-

pete for the four valuable prizes donated by Mr. J. McCabe. After a very exciting play-off Mrs Harker and Mrs Freitas proved the successful ladies. The winning gents were Messrs Stark and R. Shaw. After supper had been provided, the hall was cleared, and a very pleasant hour was spent' in dancing. Th© music fer the dance was kindly supplied by Mesidames Rich ardson and Bennett. The ladies prize for next week has been donated by a lady well-wisheir, and is now on view in Mrs T. Heenan’s window. Mr. T. Heenan in his usual good style officiated ay M.C .

At a political meeting addressed by “Win-the-war” candidates at St. Kilda (Melbourne), a returned soldier in mufti proposed a vote of thank# to the speakers. He was subjected to much interruption by one or two men at the back and' was asked when li e was “going back.” “By the next transport,” lie rejoined quickly. “Will you come with me?” The man challenged offered to enlist if £IOOO was placed to his wife’s credit in tlio Savings Bank, and Mr. Wynno stepped forward and said lie would guarantee to pay his wife ay much as the man was now earning per week for the remainder of her life. The episode caused about fiv© minutes’ diversion but nothing came of it. T-hd man still protesting from the back of the Hall when th© meeting ended.

It is with extreme regret that we record the death of Mr David Wplker, the well-known storeman for Messrs W. Perry & Co. The deceased had a Sbizure this morning about 3 o’olock, and passed away two henrs later. He was a well-known and very popular figure about the town and his sudden end causid a very painful shock to a large cirole of frieodp. He was a native of Hokitika and about 43 years of age, and has spent his life iu the town. Ha had figured for many years as Drum Major rf the Firct Westland Rifl s, ihe Citizens Band and Town Band, his stalwart figure always being a prominent one iu the town. He leaves a widow and family of four (two sous and two daughters), the eldest being about fifteen years of age, a mother (Mrs P, Walker, of Weld Street) and four sistera (Mrs S. J. Rowe, of Dillmans, Mrs G White, of Westport, Mrs G Nesbitt, of Hokitika, and Mies E. Walker, of Hokitika). His father, Mr Petsr Walker, died a year ago yesterday. To the bereaved family the deep sympathy of the community will be extended in their very sudden lose.

Application?! are invited for tie position cf laundress at Kumara Hoapita 1, receivable up to May 25’h. A Master and Matron are wauted to take oharge of Kumara Old Peoples Home, at a salary cf £l5O. Applications close on June 9th, Mr A. J. Browo, of Gibson Quay, hal a natrow escape from a fatal accident, at the mouih of the river about 2 o’clock this afternoon. He was in a small boat, going fi hirig, and when near the end of the south wall he was oangbt by a wave and bis boat waa thrown against the low row of piles that stand out from the main structure, and was ovei tamed. There were a number of pepsins fishing on the north wall but they were unable to reader assistance. Mr Wm Scott, harbormaster, was on the south wall at the time and saw the accident. He promptly divested himself of his boots and coat and slid dawn on to the low row of piles aod going along thorn managed to free Mr Brown from the overturned boat and assist him safe to .shore, none the worse tor hi* adventure beyond a ducking and the loss of an oar and hia fishing gear. But for Mr Scott’s prompt assistance, a different ending could ea-»-iy hiva resulted.