WELLINGTON TOPICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 February 1921, Page 4

WELLINGTON TOPICS.

GOAL DISPUTE. ! STILL UNSETTLED. (Our Special Correspondent). WELLINGTON, Feb. 2. A settlement of the coal dispute arising out of the alleged case of victimisation at Blackball is not yet in sight. The position, in fact, is rather less promising than it was a day or two ago. The State coal miners have rejected tbe proposal for the constitution of a committee representative of the employers and the men to adjudicate upon at one or two ol the other collieries. They refuse to discuss the matter in the way. suggested till tbe man dismissed at Blackball is reinstated. It is stated, however, that a majority of the miners throughout the Dominion are favourable to the appointment of the committee and that the officers of the Miners’ Federation are in sympathy with them.

MINERS’ BALLOTS. ! This report obtains some colour Irom the bearing of Mr Arbuckle, tbe secretary of the Federation, who, while as insistent as the veriest firebrand upon the miners enjoying their full rights, is by no means ill-clisposed towards methods of conciliation. There is a rumour about, too, that the mineis ballots on tbe West-Coast of the South Island are not always conducted in a fashion to allow the men a free expression of opinion. This may be unfair to the officials concerned, but it is recognised in mining circles that the West Coast is the storm centre of coal troubles and that the miners there are under much stricter “discipline” than are those in other parts of tbe country. Tho suggestion is that they are not free from pressure which is altogether inconsistent with the spirit of the ballot. GOST OF LIVING. The report of the President of the Board of Trade to the Prime Minister that prices all round have a falling tendency is welcomed here rather as a forecast of benefits to come than as a record of benefits actually received. There have been reductions in the prices of many articles of drapery, particularly among those that cannot be classed as necessaries of life, blit this welcome relief is understood to lie due to financial .pressure compelling the traders.to quit their goods as speedily as possible. But the prices of articles of daily use, meat, bread, milk, vegetables, coal and so forth are maintained at their former rates and there is no indication of an early reduction. So far as many of these articles are concerned, indeed, the tendency is in the other direction. THE BOOKMAKER.

In addressing the Grand Jury at the opening of the criminal sessions of tlie Supreme Court yesterday, Mr Justice Chapman had a good deal- to say about the bookmaker and bis business. His Honor enlarged upon the meaning of the word “bookmaker,” stating, among other things, that lie did not agree with the popular definition “The man who lays the odds.” It was the man inviting others to hot, he said, who was liable to prosecution. From this expression of high judicial opinion tho local'bookmakers are taking heart of grace and hoping it may be held they are not transgressing against the new law. That they have been betting as merrily as ever since the passage of the legislation of last session everyone knows, and the laugh will be on their side if after all they escape the terrors prepared for them.