VARIOUS DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 February 1921, Page 3

VARIOUS DOMINION ITEMS.

QTi IBY TELEGRAPH—PER PRESS ASSOCIATION. COAL OWNERS REFUSE. TO CONCEDE MINERS DEMANDS 3X - WELLINGTON, February 26. ter Tlie demands for a new agreement, made by the Miners’ Federation, have been considered by the Executive of the Mine Owners’ Association. The latter in reply, drew particular attention' to the inclusion of the fola lowing points: le. 1. The abolition of the contract. 2 Tho six-hour day bank to hank. 3. Five day week. 4. The abolition of the afternoon shift. ■o, 5. Payment for holidays. a- 6. Payment for time lost. (Minin- mum weekly wage.) h. It is pointed out that these claims were considered at the Conference held in August, 1919, and February, 1920. The employers then took up the position that they were so revolutionary and far-fetched and would result, if granted in such a great increase in the price of coal to the general public that unless ie withdrawn by the Federation, employers 10 would not proceed with the conference, ° they were finally withdrawn, and the ,s conference proceeded. n Since February hist year nothing had happened to warrant the proposals 3 being again ’ brought forward, indeed. ’• the contrary was the ease. I_ A similar demand was conceded by l_ the Australian coal mine owners. Again the Broken Hill strike arose oyer the n insistence of similar demands which were adversely reported upon by the ' special Government tribunal, t In the face of these facts, the Exe■l entire decided that until the particular s demands were withdrawn it would lx 1 r both unfair to the general public and useless to enter into any discussion with I the Federation. If the demands were • withdrawn, the executive would lie r pleased to arrange a conference at the * earliest possible date. The holding of a conference would not necessarily mean - that the owners were prepared to enter ■ into a national agreement, which was unsfctisfactory and that local and district agreements were the only solution in view of the varied conditions in the New Zealand mines. EIRE IN INVERCARGILL. INVERCARGILL, Feb. 26 A lire broke out last night in Ksk Street Baptist Church, and before the flames were suppressed, the organ valued at £4OO was womplotely destroyed and the interior of the building extensively damgod. Details of* the insurance are not available. BLACKBALL MINE TROUBLE. ■ SETTLEMENT AGREED ON. AUCKLAND, Feb 28. Mr Massey has been informed that the Blackball Coal Coy has agreed to accept Henderson’s apology for the words used to Deputy Anderson, and to reinstate Henderson in his former position. The Tribunal expressed th ( > opinion that it would he unwise to legislate dealing with the dismissal of workmen from mines. The mine owners and union officials recognised the need of covering this question in ail ( industrial agreement. I A CAR. SMASH. DARGAVTLLE, February 26. A miraculous escape from a serious injury occurred to a motor party on , Tongowahin Road yesterday afternoon. A. J. Finch, two ladies and five children were in the ear, which fell down a , bank twenty-five feet. The occupants | wen* still ill the ear when it arrived at , the* hot tom. They received a shock , and bruises and the ear was smashed. ;

| CARPENTER'S THOU RLE. WELLINGTON, Feb. 26. A mooting between forty and fifty Wellington carpenters, who left their jobs on receiving notice that in future not more than 2 9 per hour would he paid, was held on Saturday. The Union Secretary said lie had nothing to report, Allot her meeting will be held today. Tt is stated a number of men submitted to the reduction and others got fresh jobs at a rate in excess of the stipulated 2/9. SIR- JAMES PRENDEROAST. WELLINGTON, Feb. 26. Obit nary—Sir *Jamcs Prcndorgast oxChief Justice of New Zealand aetnt 9.5 years. FINED t. 5. CARTERTON, Feb. 28 At the Police Court, Thomas CoughInn, a man with several aliases, * was fined to for illegally wearing military ribbons. According to the police, Coughiand never left the country, yet he wore three important ribbons. 4 -METHODIST CHURCH. ANNUAL' CONFERENCE. WELLINGTON, Feb. 24 The annual Methodist Church Conference was opened this evening, the Rev W. Grigg being inducted as president. In the course of his inaugural address, he congratulated the Conference on the position of the Methodist Church almost at the close of the first century of its history in New Zealand. The next eleven months would be but a span between the two centuries, and with intense interest they were looking forward to their centenary Conference next year. Their Church , like all other institutions, was suffering from the after-effects of the war, but they must not let that make them downhearted. They must fight on with high endeavour for the great cause of Christianity. The League of Nations, now an operative reality, marked a great step in advance. The application of Christian principles was required for the solution of the problem of social and economic unrest. The Rev C. H. Laws, Principal ol the Theological Institute, Auckland was chosen as president for 1922. Mr W. Dobbs, of Christchurch, was appointed vice-president of the Conference, the highest position for which a layman is eligible. The Rev A. Ashcroft was re-elected secretary. Use NORTH BRITISH GARDEN HOSE this spring and summer. Rest, and lasts longest. Obtainable from iubher and hardware stores everywhere.