VARIOUS DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 January 1921, Page 1

VARIOUS DOMINION ITEMS.

TELEGRAMS.

[by TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION]

A SEQUEL TO THE TROUBLE

CHRISTCHURCH, Jan 11

A sequel to the disturbance at Lyttelton last night took place at the Magistrate's Court to-day when five firemen in tho steamer Maiinoa were charged before Mr McCarthy, S.M., with various offences arising therefrom. Richard Jones was convicted and sentenced to one month’s imprisonment on a charge of using obscene language. He was convicted and discharged on a charge of resisting arrest and ordered to pay expenses. George Henr v Crowe wan sentenced to one month's imprisonment for obstructing a constable and was convicted on a. charge of using obscene language. James Hartley was fined GO for using obscene language, in default one month’s imprisonment, and Albert Beardsley and John Philbin were each fined £lO for inciting lawlessness, in default one month’s imprisonment.

DECONTROL OF MEAT

ACTION BY government

WELLINGTON, Jan 9

A correspondent in a Wellington newspaper the other day asked why the Government had taken no steps in regard to the decontrol of frozen meat in England. As a matter, of fact ) the Government had taken action as far back as December Bth, 1920, when the following telegram was sent by Mr Massey to the High Commissioner in London -“Please take up with Imperial authorities question of control of Dozen meat price. Your cable 22nd stated control would probably continue until June next, hut. having regard to the extensive clearances of Government meat from stores here, consider control could he removed much earlier. It is of the greatest importance to New Zealand that this should he done, and best market conditions possible made available for meat, especially seeing that wool exports on private account are likely to be relatively small, and of much lower value ,aiul the cheese mniket. is weakening. Press for early removal of control and cable result as soon ns possible.” Nine days later, as no answer to tins message had arrived from the office of the High Commissioner. Air Massey cabled again asking for the earliest possible information regarding the proposj,l. Meanwhile the Christmas and New Year holidays have intervened, and there lias no doubt been delay in getting the Imperial authorities to decide the'point, but an answer is now daily expected. MEAT FREIGHTS TO ENGLAND. A FIVE PER CENT REDUCTION. WELLINGTON, Jap 9. The Government has been for some time post in communication with the Imperial authorities in regard to freight rates for frozen meat and other produce shipped from New Zealand to Great Britain. These rates are on a very high basis when compared with those in operation prior to the war and although it lias been fully realised that, the cost of running refrigerated ships |,as boon greatly increased, the additional burden imposed upon producers is so heavy that every effort was made to relieve the position as far as possible.

A cable message has now come irom the High Commissioner stating that the Ministry of Food had informed him that revised rates for the carriage of private meat to the United Kingdom have been fixed as follows: I’d per lh for mutton. 2d per lh for land). | ad per lh for beef. All plus 5 per cent.

This means a reduction of 5 per cent, on the rates previously fixed, to ivhich the Government had taken except ion. In those rates the charges for mutton, lamb, and beef respectively were the .same as quoted above, but with an additional 10 per cent, instead of 5 per cent, as now established. The Government is in further communication with the High Commissioner on this subject of freight rates, in view of the heavy burden which is still imposed upon producers.

TOTE PERMITS COMMISSION. WELLINGTON, January 11. A meeting of the Commission appointed to "make recommendations as to the number and distribution of lQt a lisa tor permits next racing season was held in Wellington to-day, Mr Fred Earle K.C. presiding. Returns of different clubs regarding their applications for permits were presented S, v the secretary. It was resolved that in each of the four principal centres two or three speakers he heard cn the general question of the issue of additional permits and upon such occasions proceedings of the commission he open to the press. The Commission has agreed upon the itinerary of V eljinoton and Hawke’s Bay districts ard win leave Wellington to-morrow moiling for Featherston and Masterton. U will return to this city on Jatmaiy 10, via Mnnawatu.

DEATH AFTER SWIMMING. WELLINGTON, Jan. 11. While returning from a swim at Ron. Bay, yesterday evening Mr AT cK pecan the wife of Ghaiie. . 'v-u I—collapsed, apparently from heait fail ure and died shortly, afterwards. Deceased’s son is on the engineering s < of the Moana.