TELEGRAMS

Hokitika Guardian, 30 July 1920, Page 4

TELEGRAMS

| per press association.- copyright j

FARMERS’ UNION & SHIRKERS WELLINGTON, July 27

The Dominion Conference of the Farmers’ Union was asked to-dav to support a remit from tile Southland urging that the Government be pressed to make it unlawful for convicted military shirkers to purchase or acquire anyland or property whatsoever in New Zealand. The remit further proposed that any land or property purchased acquired by military shirkers since August 4th, 1914, should be disposed of to loyal citizens. The mover of the remit said that farmers wanted to make it plain that they were loyal men. Those who had been too cowardly to fight should not be allowed to own any land in the Dominion. Hear, hear). If the country was worth lighting for it was worth keeping clean. Another delegate declared: “1 don’t think those animals—l won’t call them men—who would not fight should be allowed to becoipe laud owners in this Dominion.” This remit was adopted unanimously. NEW ZEALAND POTATOES. WELLINGTON, July ?8. The Prime Minister has received : dvioe from the Comonwealth Governm nt that the importation of New Zealand potatoes into Australia cannot be permitted. Probably this decision of the Australian Government is a final . no, because the New Zealand Government has made at least two attempts to persuade Mr Hughes and his Government to allow the importation of New Zealand potatoes.

RAILWAY FATALITY AT MAKUROTORUA, Jity 25. At 4.30 p.m., on .Saturday, Hector D. Urquhart, a returned soldier, while attempting to cross the railway line at Mamaku in front of the incoming Rotorua express, was caught by the > ngine and his legs severed. Urquhart was removed to the Rotrua hospital, where an operation was performed, but lie died abeut 9.80 p.m. The deceas'd, who was about thirty years old, -* ad drawn a. section at Rotorua and had been in Rotorua on business. He vns returning to Auckland by tie afternoon train which passed the express at Mamaku. RACING EMBARGO LIFTED. WELLINGTON, July 26. The New Zealand Transport Work -s’ Advisory Board, at a meeting to-diy decided to remove any embargo in connection with the carrying of racehorses to and from any place in the Dominion. This decision was arrived at In view of the fact that a considerable mini ber of jockeys were in favour of the embargo being lifted. BIG PROPERTY SALE. TIMAKU, July 24. At an auction sale a 06ft iron to go in Stafford Street, the busiest part of ’.he town, on which stand five one-storied shops, was sold for £15,000 to Hallenstein and Co., and the Tiniaru “Herald” Company conjointly.

WELLINGTON - , July 29 The question of compulsory milita-y training was considered at the New Zealand Farmers Union Conference today. On behalf of the Auckland Union, Mr C. K. Wilson moved: “That the principle of compulsory military training under the Education Department be affirmed.’* Mr C 4. P. Johnston of Gore seconded. Mr Malcolm, M.P., held that the military system in peace time was (lit of place and he thought we could get better results under to Education Department at a cost of practically nothing compared with £750,000 a year advocated by General Russell. Sir J. G. Wilson replying to various arguments for and against the motion maintained that the territorial system has been a hopeless failure. The moli m .was parried on the voices by a substantial majority. A GOVERNMENT INVITATION. WELLINGTON, July 30 Government will extend an invitation to the Overseas Journalists attending the 'World’s Press Congress at Sydney to visit New Zealand and will grant free passes over the railways and I steamer to the South Island. I