WATERSIDE LABOUR

Hokitika Guardian, 14 November 1919, Page 1

WATERSIDE LABOUR

WELLINGTON, Nov. 13,

The New Zealand Waterside Workers’ Federation has, as the result of a ballot just completed) adopted by a substantial majority of votes, the proposals formulated at last conference that the Federation and Unions control the work on the wharves. - 'The details of the scheme will be discussed at the annual conference of the Federation to be held at Napier on December 2nd.

PARIS PRINTERS STRIKE. PARIS, Nov. 11

Otving to printers going on strike the Paris press, at a conference, decided to suspend publication of all French hews papers.

Tlie conference is issuing a single sheet confined to general news, under the title “La Prcssc Parisienne.”

LORD BRASSEY’S DEATH. • (Received this day tit 8 a.m.) . LONDON, Nov. 12. Obituary.—Earl Brassey, as the result of a motor accident.

THE TENURE QUESTION. AUCKLAND, Nov. 12,

* The land tenure question as it concerns Rotorua was referred to by Mr W. D. S. MacDonald, M.P. for the Bay of Plenty, in an address in the thermal centre. Mr MacDonald said ho knew the position of Rotorua, with a stationary revenue and an increasing expenditure, hut no doubt it was one of tlie greatest holiday resorts 'in the world, and he hoped that whatever Government was in power would do the fair thing for it. There must be some form of optional tenure if they were to have the up-to-date place they should have. If they wanted to improve or to rebuild they must have a title upon which they could get advances. If his party was returned to power they would have the optional tenure.

INTERNATIONAL DESIGNS. LONDON, Oct. 2L The International Yachting Conference in London decided to rc-constitute the Yacht Racing Union, which is composed of eleven nations. A permanent committee has been appointed, representing Britain, France, and Scandinavia. The conference fixed new standard designs for yachts, and decided that the lower masts of all classes should be made solid in order to reduce the cost of upkeep. The masts are to he solid for two-thirds of their length.

AMAZING FUR PRICES

£IO,OOO PAID FOR A COAT. LONDON, Oct. 30. The approach of winter is sending up fm- prices in London to amazing heights ,ancl French and German buyers are reinforcing the keen English demand. Minks have risen 250 per cent, sables 120 per cent., stone-martens 100 per cent., and other qualities proportionately. The recent West-end prices of ladies’ coats in the choicer furs, ranged from 150 to 1500 guineas ,and it is stated that one sold for £IO,OOO. Even rabbit skins are fancy-priced, r stole costing 25 guineas, and undisguised ’possum muffs, 10 to 20 guineas.

RHINE WINE FOR M.P.’S. LONDON, Oct. 30. The re-appearance of Rhine wines on the tables of the dining-room in the House of Commons occasioned some banter. Mr Billing asked Sir (A. Gardner, chairman of the Kitchen Committee, why the Rhine wines were purchased. Sir A. Gardner replied that various members wanted them, and there weie cries of “Names!'’ Mr Bottomley suggested that it was the most agreeable method of helping Germany to pay the indemnity. three years hard. AUCKLAND, This Day At the Supreme Court, Leo. Arthur Boranoff, charged will having obtained £125 from Tony Antanovich by false pretences, was sentenced to three yeai s hard labour, and was declared an habitual criminal. COKE STORAGE. DUNEDIN, This Day. Owing to the shortage of coke, the local iron industry is so hampered that the works may have to close. A communication has been sent to Mr Massey urging that a steamer ho sent to the West Coast for supplies.