TELEGRAMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 December 1920, Page 4

TELEGRAMS.

(HKtt MU.BH AHiOOI^TION-COPVRIGHf.I CHINESE EGG PULE. WELLINGTON, Nov. 29. The Standing Sub-Committee of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association has been instructed by the Dominion Executive to make a protest to the Minister of Agriculture, on behalf of the returned soldier poultry farmers of the country, against the importation into New Zealand of Chinese egg pulp. It is contended that there is practically no cost of production of egg, pulp in China, as the eggs from which the pulp is made are collected from wild fowl. On the other hand, the returned soldier poultry farmers of New Zealand do not object to the entry of egg pulp from the Commonwealth, as in Australia cost ,of production is entailed. No objection is raised, either, to the price of eggs in New Zealand being controlled by the Board of Trade.

FULL CARGOES FOR NEW ZEALAND. AUCKLAND, Nov. 29. Half empty ships are sailing from the Old Country to Australia, was the gist of a messiige that was cabled the other day. There must be some mistake. So far as one can learn in Auckland, the Australian and New Zealand markets are'the only ones that are providing the colonial freighters with full lists. Atlantic and practically all other steamers are sailing with only part cargoes. Foreign exchange has, of course, a lot to do with th!§. As far as New Zealand trade is concerned, one has only to look at the list of vessels expected at Auckland, for instance, to know that the report about half-full ships does not apply to the Dominion. A big liner 'which arrived in the Waitemata this morning was loaded to the hatches, and reports by some of her people confirm the inference one would draw frbin the sailing lists that the colonial carrying trade is more than busy.

AUCKLAND’S BUTTER EXPORT , AUCKLAND, Nov. 29

A record shipment of butter from Auckland will be taken by the Gaelic, which is expected to commence loading this week. The shipment will consist of 137,000 boxes, of the value of £95,000. Other vessels are also lifting substantial shipments of dairy produce.

UNEMPLOYMENT GROWING. CHRISTCHURCH, Dec. 1. It was stated at to-night’s meeting of the Canterbury district Repatriation Board that unemployment was - increasing in Christchurch, and that some employers were reducing their staffs. To deal with the matter, it was suggested that another officer should be appointed to give assistance to the present repatriation officer.

The Board decided to consider the suggestion at a later date should unemployment become more acute. It was reported thfi.t since last meeting 61 applications have been received for employment, and positions have been found for 56 men. There were now 26 cases of unemployment on the books.

WATERSIDERS’ CONFERENCE. TTMARU, December 1

The Waterside Worker’s Dominion annual conference opened here to-day There were 25 delegates from 15 ports present with the President Mr T. Glover, Secretary Mr Roberts and official recorder, Miss Bolts. The delegates are sitting in the Municipal Chambers and were welcomed by the Mayor and by W. Craig, President of the Timaru Waterside Worker’s Union whose delegate is Mr D. Mills. Committees were appointed and decided that the press be not admitted, but that reports be supplied and that a special report be prepared for distribution to unions. Then the conference then adjourned till to-morrow.

BETTING PROSECUTION.

THREE MONTHS FOR WHITTA CHRISTCHURCH, December I.

Mr McCarthy, S.M., in giving judgment in the case against Alfred Vivian Whitta, tobacconist, of keeping a common gaming house, said he had no doubt whatever that upon the evidence betting had been going on upon the defendant’s premises. Certain documents found there, together with the evidence of the police, showed that Verting had been going on in connection with horses that were running at the Addington and Riccarton race courses about that time. It had been suggested that no actual bet had been proved, but if the circumstances deposed by t he. police suggested betting, and betting only, the absence of specific bets was not very material. Much bad been made by counsel for. the defence of the fact that the constables who endeavour-

ed to bet with the defendant were unsuccessful. One of- these witnesses, however; had said defendant told him Le must have a proper introduction or go elsewhere. This evidence, which bad not been contradicted!, showed, that defendant was conscious of carrying on an unlawful business. In previous cases said the Magistrate, he had found that a fine was no deterrent. His duty was to administer the law, and when a breach of the law was proved, to idminister such penalty as would act as a deterrent.

Defendant would be oonvicted and sentenced to three months’ imprisonment.

An appeal has been lodged by Alfred Whitta against his sentence of three months, and will be heard at the next sitting of the Supreme Court. In the meantime sentence is suspended. »

HYDRO-ELECTRIC SCHEME

TIMARU, Deo 1

Representatives of all parts of South Canterbury, with one delegate from North Otago, met here to-day, and after discussion resolved to take steps to have the whole of South Canterbury district declared an electric power district, and a board formed, and an executive composed of the Mayors and chairmen of local bodies was appointed to take these steps.

PRICE OF COAL RAISED. AUCKLAND, Dec 1

Owing to an increase in the working costs, the retail merchants have been compelled to raise* the price of coal. The increase iti Auckland will amount to between 3s and 4s per ton.