TELEGRAMS

Hokitika Guardian, 23 June 1920, Page 1

TELEGRAMS

[per press association.—copyright.]

NATIONAL DAIRY CONFLUENCE PALMERSTON N. June' 22.

At the National Dairy Association Conference to-day, Mr Foryth, (Eltliam) moved that this meeting is of opinion that the time has arrived when Dominion producers, together with the Government should have a controlling influence over the' flat carriage of produce; that it bo a recommendation to the Executive to co-operate with the South Island Dairy Association, and so the wool, meat, and other producers to approach the Government with a, view to getting financial assistance or legislation providing for a levy on all exports to provide funds for the purpose of obtaining assured and reliable shipping services and reasonable freights, or of establishing an independent shippng line, if such become necessary.

The question was keenly debated, some speakers arguing against what they thought to be the introduction of the principle of an export tax. Mr Powdrell, (Hawera) stated that he as Chairman of a Freezing Coy., recently received a cable from the Continent offering a much higher price than the Imperial Government for 50,0(X) ton H of mutton; also a similar offer from America. The Company was not' allowed by the Imperial Government the full space necessary. He also received enquiries for certain class of beef at enhanced prices. This indicated the prices of meat would not fall when the Imperial agreement terminated. lie urged the necessity for dairymen for pro-rata space on meat ships.

DUNEDIN ENGINEERS’ CASE. DUNEDIN, June 22. The members of the Engineers’ Union here held a stop-work meeting' to-day for the purpose of hearing a case of much importance to them in that the Inspector of Awards claimed against the Dunedin. Branch of the. Amalgamated Society of Engineers for £IOO for an alleged breach of award. It was alleged that the Union, during the currency of an award, took proceedings to defeat the provisions of the award, the object being to prevent piece-work at Reid and Gray’s was explained that.it had been customary for that firm to do piece-work during the busy season. Early this year orders inecreased and got very far ahead of the firm. The firm then introduced a now system designed to “encourage” the men to produce more work. The system and terms were accepted andpnaiih tained for twelve days. Then they suddenly were stopped. The men were earning practically a. 50 per 'cent, increase in pay on the -ordinary rates. They were stated to be willing to continue if not interferrod with by the Union. The case i s proceeding..

BENZINE SUPPLIES. AUCKLAND, June 21

The statement telegraphed from Christchurch regarding the probability of an acute shortage of benzine during the winter months is not borne out by enquiries made locally. It is admitted that the Vacuum Oil Co. at the present time is out of supplies, but as agaiqst this there is a lot to be said why consumers need not fear for the future. The suggestion is that some people are hoarding supplies. Despite the fact that the past month or two is looked upon as being the quietest time of the year so far as sale s of 'petrol are concerned, the information was gleaned this morning that during the past six weeks at least two or three times as much petrol was disposed of to customers as is the case under normal conditions. It is therefore obvious —at least it should he so that the demand in the near f uture will be' quite small, hut with the Donald McKay arriving approximately at the end of the month with about ten to twenty thousand cases of benzine, and about ten thousand cases of kerosene for this port, and consignments for other ports, a by no means acute position should prevail. These quantities should easily keep the Domihion in supply until the arrival of the West Maha. wa about the first week in next month. Her Auckland consignment will consist of something in 1 the vicinity of 25,000 cases of kerosene. The arrival of these two vessels will definitely end the kerosene shortage. After that shipments of petrol will come to hand regularly.

NEW ZEALAND AIR BOARD. WELLINGTON, Jung 22. Cabinet has approved of the formation of an Air Board for the Dominion as follows:—President, Major-General Sir W. Chaytor; members, BrigadierGeneral J. S. Richardson (commander), T. H. Williams, T. N. Brodrick (Lands and Survey) ; R. W. Holmes and F. W. Furket (Public Works) ; A. T. Markmau and G. McNamara (Postal). Colonel Sleeman is secretary.

SUGAR SUPPLIES. WELLINGTON, June 21. The Chairman of the Board of Trade (Mr W .G. McDonald), in a statement on the sugar position, said that the aggregate saving effected for the New Zealand general public during the past three years, as a result of the arrangements made with the Colonial Sugar Refining Company Ltd., was approximate. ]y .£2,000,000 by comparison with the 'amount which would have been paid if the market for Biigar had been free here, as elsewhere. The Government has entered into a new agreement with the Colonial Sugar Refining Company, whereby raw sugar may be purchased in Fiji by the Government, refined at its own expense, and distributed. This -ysteni will operate from July Ist. It is anticipated that, the quantity will be in excess of that refined last year. The necessity for allocating supplies will still continue under control of the Board of Trade.