TELEGRAMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 December 1917, Page 3

TELEGRAMS.

j [PER CRESS ASSOCIATION. —COPYRIGHT.] j SHIRKERS SENTENCED. ’ WELLINGTON, Dee. 5. t Three young men, named John Larkin, Robert E. Larkin', and James MoKow were charged at the Magistrate’s Court to-day with having left the Dominion on the 16th November, without permits as required under the War Regulations. All pleaded guilty. Inspector Marsaek described them as cowardly 'deserters from the forces. He stated that they stowed away in the coal bunkers of a steamer for Australia. and were not. discovered until the vessel was well on the voyage. They were brought back to New Zealand in the same boat, the-cost of their passage .to and from Australia being deducted 'by the captain from the money found in their possession. Mr. McCarthy, S.M. sentenced the three men to one month’s liard labour, at the end of the term to lie handed over io the military 'authorities to he tried by court martial. None of them had gone into camp when ordered.

SECOND DIVISION. WELLINGTON, Dec. stli. At the Military Service P.oard Captain Baldwin, military representative, said: “I have been in communication with -no Defence Department, and they have informed me that they are not anxious to have men sent to camp by the Board before April next.” Captain Baldwin explained to the press that, except where the Board thinks such a- course is inadvisable, no man who come s before the Board.will now have to go into camp for at least five months. REFUSAL FROM AUSTRALIA. WELLINGTON, Dec. 5. Hon. G. W. Russell said to-day that he had received a telegram from the Canterbury Frozen .Meat Co., stating that they had applications by cablegram from slaughtermen i n Melbourne for work but these slaughtermen were 'under the impression that they would not he allowed to land in this country. Ho had sent a reply that the Government will welcome bona fide shearers and slaughtermen arriving here, and will issue permits for them to return to their own country at the end of the season. Only residents of New Zealand are liable under the Military Service Act. He had also cabled the New Zealand Government Agent in Melbourne and Sydney, instructing him to advertise in the leading papers of the Commonwealth that the Military Service Act did not in any way affect shearers or slaughtermen coming to New Zealand to work the season here. Mr Russell said: “A meeting, of the Australian Workers Union was held in due course to consider the communications between that body and myself, and, as the outcome of that meeting, I received a reply that while New Zealand is under conscription, they will not allow members of their Union to come to New Zealand for employment. This, in my opinion, shows a most regrettable, state of things, and I am proud to say that as far as I know no Union in this country has ever taken a similar stand.

LIQUOR LAWS. ’ WELLINGTON December 5. For breaches of the anti-shouting regulations, F. Pagent Jones, licensee of the Lower Hutt Family Hotel, was fined £5. A. E. Wood barman of the same hotel, was fined £2. F. L. 'Simpson, licensee of iilie Lower Hutt, Central Hotel was fined £5. A FATAL ACCIDENT. TAUMAR.UNUI, - December 5. A fatal accident occurred last evening on the Upper Ohura road Ongaruei Miss Ethel Price had driven to the railway in a gig with her sister Mrs Alex Marsh, and the latter’ s infant daughter. Mrs. Marsh was on her way to the Taumarunui Hospital for operation. When Miss Price and the infant were returning the horse backed at a papa slip and tlie gig rolled down the hank 45 feet deep. The infant was killed and Miss Price badly injured, was removed by the night express to Taumarunui. An i.i quest to-day on the child was r for the evidence of Miss Price. SHORTAGE 1 O'F CARBIDE. WELLINGTON December 5. Hon. A. M-i Myers stated to-day that there is an acute shortage of carjbide in the Dominiojn, and as the prospects of obtaining supplies from (Britain or Canada are small or non existent, great economy is necessary. He pointed out the very severe restrictions now in force in Britain carbide being available only for very special purposes. He was taking action to secure supplies for railway and military needs. It is understood that the Marline Ddpartmdnfie ‘immediate requirements are satisfactorily covered. He added that a factory is being erected in Australia. He was in communication with the Federal director of Munitions requesting information regarding its prospect of sending supplies to New Zealand.