VARIOUS DOMINION ITEMS

Hokitika Guardian, 7 February 1921, Page 1

VARIOUS DOMINION ITEMS

TELEGRAMS

[by telegraph—rEß press association] W A TER SIDE US INTENTIQNS. WELLINGTON, Feb. 6 Considerable interest is manifested, in the statement telegraphed from Auckland that the watersiders in the northern capital will refuse to work any overtime after five or four week days, and after noon on Saturday. The watersiders in Wellington have not yet informed the local employers of any intention to decline overtime. The settlement of the bonus question has been left by the individual unions to the Waterside Workers’ Federation. It is not yet known whether the Federation will coniine any “irritation” tactics to the northern centre.

AUCKLAND WATERSIDERS

AUCKLAND, Feb. 5

The watersiders here have informed : the shipping companies that they will refuse to work overtime after five o’clock on four week days, and after noon on Saturdays. Presumably this is owing to the w in kers’ dissatisfaction with the terms offering (only a penny an hour bonus). Consequently the Opawa’s departure for Tokamoru has been delayed from to-night until Tuesday, and the Te Allan, for the South has been delayed till .Monday. RAILWAY.MEN’S WAGES. WELLINGTON, Feb. ti. The Board representing the Railway Department and the A.S.R.S. that was set up to consider the Railwayman's wages, has concluded its sittings, but lias not yet presented its report to the Prime .Minister.. The report will require to by- submitted to the Cabinet before any decision is made as to further action to be taken. NEW ZEALAND'S WOOL. WELLINGTON, Feb. 5 In the course of a lengthy statement issued to-day, the Prime .Minister refers to the question of the disposal of the supplies of New Zealand wool that are at present in the .hands of the Imperial Government. He points out that when the British-Australian Wool Realisation Association scheme was initiated, it: proposed to deal only with Australian wool, but the question of the Association handling New Zealand wool arose. Cabled negotiations were instituted, urging the direct representation of New Zealand on the body having control of' the disposal of the accumulated stocks of wool. The result of these cabled Denotations is that it is now proposed that a New Zealand Committee of three should be established in London, one to act as chairman, and the chairman io have a seal on the Hoard of Directors of the Wool Realisation Association. Owing to some error in transit, thi' latest cable is not dear, and another and urgent cable has been sent seeking information as to the extent of the powers of this committee and of its character. In addition to this London Committee, an advisory committee in New Zealand is also proposed to keep in close touch wit lithe London committee, particularly in regard to all points connected with the realisation of the accumulated wool stocks.

FORGERY ANT) FALSE PRETENCES

WELLINGTON, Feb. 5. In sentencing John Anderson Riddle, aged 22, on two charges of'forgery and three of false pretences, involving C 2.37, Judge Stringer commented - on the amazing carelessness ot people in business .-houses. The accused had walked into a stock agent’s office, and said he was the son of a client. Me had received an open cheque for f-'Tbf), which he cashed at the bank. Latin on, he had telephoned the same firm, representing that he was the son of another client, with the result that a cheque was sent to him at a certain address, whereupon he went to another firm and tendered this cheque in payment. Me then received an open cheque for the balance. "11 that is not crime made easy,” remarked the .Judge, "it is difficult to see what is.” He was disposed to put the lad on probation, and make him pay a certain amount ot the money stolen. The ease was adjourned for a week.

BY TELEGRAPH —-PRESS ASSN., COPYRIGHT. PATHETIC SUDDEN DEATH. WELLINGTON, Feb. 0. Airs A. Harrop, an elderly woman, a resident of Petone, collapsed on Saturday under pathetic circumstances. Affected by the housing problem, she and her .husband had been compelled to take lodgings for several months while a house was being built. Construction had been completed, and they had their furniture packed, and were about to move in, when the woman complained of a pain. She died in a chair from heart failure.