TELEGRAMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 March 1919, Page 4

TELEGRAMS.

[rßll I'll ESS AHSOCUTION.—COPXKIOHt.j ARBITRATION COURT CHRISTCHURCH, This Day Six Unions applied at the Arbitration Court to-day for increased wages and bonuses, on account of the increased cost- of living In the case of The Tinsmiths Union, the. Court was asked to amend the agreement made by the Conciliation Council, in order that the claims should be increased in accordance. It was contended that the cost of living was higher iii Wellington than in Christchurch and the Court should consider the circumstances in fixing the rates. Justice Stringer said that the Court might have to abandon the Wellington basis of increased cost of living and fixed different standards in different pljutcs. 'The iGoveriimeJut '.Statistician gives evidence this afternoon.

WAIHI MINERS. CASE OF THE NON-UNTONIST. WAIHI March 23. A meeting of the W.aihi Miners Union decided, after being addressed Messrs P. O’Rourke, and J. O’Brien, of the Miners’ Federation ntnd the Labour Federation, to leave the matters regarding the men who are standing out of tlm Union in the hands of the Federations, and that the Federations’ representative sapproach the companies regarding the position.

The Minors’ and Labour Federations have reported as follows regarding the dispute:—“After reviewing the position of the British miners, the fact is eelarly illustrated that the better the miners are organised, the more satisfactory it is for all” concerned. In the face of this, it is hard to understand flie attitude of the Wnilii Company in countenancing the refusal of several of the employees to become members of the Union. The attitude of these men and of the Company is viewed with alarm and indignation by the organised workers throughout the Dominion. An agreement, was arrived at last Sep. iember between tlie mine owners and the miners’ representatives, that nothing would he done to interfere with the recognised function of the local union. It was recognised that the first, function of the union was to ensure that all employees in. the industry are members of the union. In the face of this, it appears to the local Union officers! and the Federation representatives that the Wnihi Company is out to cause industrial turmoil. The Executive of the local union arc to be 1 congratulated oil their attitude up to the present, and for the reason that despite a clamour by the rank and file, they have not allowed drastic action to be taken. The situation at Waihi is extremely delicate, and it behoves 1 everyone who has an interest' in the j welfare of the town to see that the cause of the friction is immediately removed.”

SHIP SHORTAGE

CHRISTCHURCH, March 24.

A unique position arose at Rangiora market in connection with the sale of fat lambs and the larger line of fat sheep. The yarding was the largest of the season, and some consternation was caused when it was found that freezer buyers were under instructions from their heads not to operate.

Mr Bennett, general manager of tlie New Zealand Shipping Company stated that, the present situation was due to the insufficiency in the number ■ insulated ships, and h'o did not think there was any immediate prospect of an improvement. The only hope was that the New Zealand Government might persuade the Imperial authorities to divert some insulated steamers now in Australia or close at hand . There was far more frozen meat and frozen dairy produce in New Zealand than in Australia. The present position was that'in a few weeks more than half the freezing works in the Dominion would be closed down for want of .space, and the result would ho very depressing on the market as freezing buyers could not operate unless there was some freezing space.

POSITION IN AUCKLAND. AUCKLAND, March 24

The position in regard to cool storage in Auckland is not as serious as reported in the south. It is stated that a good allotment of space is in prospect on vessels expected here. Should the anticipated relief not arrive during the next few weeks, however the freezing stores will have to refuse further produce. Meantime stock sales are not appreciably affected as has boon tbe case at Ibangiora. RARATONGAN SOLDIERS. AUCKLAND, March 24. Nows lias been received from Raraloiiga that three hundred of tbe returned native soldiers broke into shops there and also stores, which they more or less wrecked. They took many articles and damaged gods valued at £IOOO. A sergeant quelled the disturbance with a revolver. The steamer Flora was commandeered to convey the soldiers to their homes in the various islands. LEAVE FOR MEN IN EGYPT. AV ELI,INGTON. March ;24. Sir Janies Allen recently cabled to England intimating that New Zealand could grant leave to ten per cent., of the members of our forces in Egypt to go to England at the .Dominion’s- expense if shipping. were available. A ; reply lias been received to the effect that the War Office has arranged for leave as stated.

KANT AN PLAYERS. WELIJNTGON, March 24. As the result of a police raid on a house in Gaining Street, Gong Ka Ong the occupier of the premises, was fined in the Police Court this morning £lO and costs for allowing Fan tan to ho played. Thirty-seven other Chinese were arrested, and twentv-two were fined £3 and costs each. Four others, who pleaded “not guilty” were fined also, and the remaining eleven eases were dismissed.