TELEGRAMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 June 1918, Page 1

TELEGRAMS.

[PEtt riIES3 ASSOCIATION. —COPYRIGHT.] AUCKLAND CONFERENCE. AUCKLAND, May 27. The (provincial conference of the Fanners’ Union opened to-riigfit, Mr A! A. Ross (president) being in the chair. The conference carried units from the executive as follows: —“That occupiers of national endowment land be granted the option of securing tile freehold and that all lands he thrown open on these terms, the proceeds to be reinvested for the benefit of the objects for which they had been endowed,; that the Government be urged to push forward afforestation, especially with regard to quick-growing trees; that the Government bo urged to proceed at the earliest possible moment with the. scheme for harnessing the water-power of the Dominion.’

Another remit which was carried affirmed the need for improvement in the system of Government. It was resol. veil to call public meetings in tip* cities and country districts with the object of having Parliamentary representation discussed by all sections of the community

PROTEST AGAINST SORTING CHARGE.

AVANANUI. maw 27. The Minister for Railways (the lion, ,W. H. Hcrries) met a deputation from the Harbour Hoard, Chamber of Commerce. and importers here to-night in regard to the sorting charge of Is.(kl per ton recently imposed by the department at a number of small ports, inelud ing Wanganui. The deputation urged the Minister to remit the charge, as the would mean diverting c astal shipping to Wellington with a corresponding .reduction in t|ie local harbour revenue. Mr Hcrries explained that the charge was a fair one to cover the cost of sorting goods delivered to Wanganui. He said the charge could not be remitted, hub lie was prepared to discuss the Wanganui Harbour Hoard taking control of the local wliar. res and sheds at a rental to lie fixed by. arbitration. In deply to a depntationist, who said the Railway Department originally commandeered the local water front bv “Gazette” notice, Mr. Hemes replied that as the land was the property of the Crown and not of any 'local community it could not ho handed. over gratis. . A further conference is to he. held to morrow between the Minister and the Harbour Hoard to discuss a basis for negotiations for local control.

SUPREME COURT. CHIEF JUSTICE’S STRICTURES. WANGANUI, May 31. Referring to the amount of drinking wlu'clPtnkes place in the . Main; JuiUilv district.,"Sir Roht. Stout at the Supreme Court said it was a disgrace .to the Dominion that drinking should take place in a no-liceußp district, in which the Government had agreed that matters would he entirely free from the curse. T( was a great pity to see. working men spending money in drunken orgies in that district.

In the Kariori manslaughter ease, John Robertson was sentenced to ten years imprisonment and seven years reformative treatment to follow. Tuni Whaaemati for carnally knowing a girl under the age of consent was admitted to probation. . His Honour said it was the first case of the kind that he had so treated, but in his opinion the prisoner was not so much to blame as the grandmother of the girl. Wm. Fred Warner who pleaded guilty at New Plymouth to the theft of mimov was sentenced to 9 months.

I’ukeko Rune, for forgery was ordered to come up for sentence when called upon he having volunteered for service at the front.

TEACHERS EXEMPTIONS. ; WELLINGTON. May 31. At the Military Service Hoard, the Education Department appealed for the exemption of a number of teachers and officials. It was stated that the Departments staff had been seriously depleted, and there was- by no means tn providing substitutes. All teachers’ cases were 1 adjourned sine die. Other officials were referred to the Public Service Commissioner.