LATE NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 May 1917, Page 1

LATE NEWS.

/PEB PRESS ASSOCIATION.—OOPTaiffIaTi. THE IRISH QUESTION. i y Sinn Fein attitude. LONDON, 31 oy 24. The “Central News” says that- the National Council of The Sinn Fein Society has unanimously refused to pat--11 ci pate in the Convention unless ui the following conditions. , Firstly: The terms of reference include the power to decree Irish, independence; , Secondly: The Government gives pledges to America and the European Powers to ratify the majority’s decision; Thirdly: The Convention is elected on adult suffrage; Fourthly: The rebel prisoners are treated as war prisoners.

, Cabinet Statement / LONDON, May 24. In.' the House of Commons Hon a. Bonar Law, replying to questions, declared that in case the Irish Convention arrived at a substantial agreement the Government could hot think it right to delay action until next election. > . , He hoped to give details of th© composition of the Convention to-morrow. Potato Growing. DUNEDIN, May 22. The question of potato growing on the town belt was considered by the Reserves Committee of the City Council, when it was decided to recommend that several areas on the holt Be set apart for that purpose. The suggestion is that the ground he cut up into small sections, each to be worked by one person. The grounu will be available to the person taking it up for two years or on© year after tli© war ends. The approximate size of the blocks will be two; acres each, whjicli will bo (subdivided into tela sefctione.*" ,

Belgian Relief. CHRISTCHURCH, May 24 The Acting-Consul for Belgium m Canterbury (Mr C. J. Ward) supplies the following statement of the-amounts received by him for the relief of the Belgians: > Cash. Subsidy. Canterbury . 5086 19 2 3201 12 7 Nelson 1221 1 2 119 0 u Marlborough 1392 11 2 ' 71 10 0 Westland ... 2005 1 6j 0 51 8 3 x Totals ....9885 17 6 £3443 10 10 Including the Government subsidy, the grand total is £13,149 8s 4d. All tli© Government subsidy is not inciuuod in the above statement) as in some cases the subsidy ha's been credited direct [ to tlie provinces other thafci Canterbury. Mr Ward was asked whether, in view of the cable message received on Tuesady, ho intended closing the fund, and ho replied that lie was awaiting instructions from the Consul-General m, Sydney, and had not yet received any official instructions to close the fund.