TELEGRAMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 March 1921, Page 4

TELEGRAMS.

VARIOUS DOMINION ITEMS.

[ BY TELEGRAPH—PER I’HESS ASSOCIATION]

meat SUPPLY. WANGANUI, March 9

A meeting of the sub-provincial Exe(utive Fanners Union resolved unanimously that Government be asked to confer with the freezing companies with a view to some arrangement being ,„ad e to secure the imperially held meat being disposed of as soon as possible in order to procedure an untrammelled market for the free meat coming forward from time to time. Messrs \V. C. T’olson and C. Smith (President local Executive) were deputed to bring the resolution before th e Premier.

CLASS DISTINCTION

I COMMENTS OF MU JUSTICE FRAZER.

DUNEDIN, March 7 Mr Justice Frazer was welcomed and congratulated by the liar and repre-

sentatives of the employers and employees, on taking his seat m the At hi Cation Court this morning.

in (lie course oi his reply, Ins Hoiioiti

said if was not., he supposed, to he wondered at that a world upheaval like the (beat War should have brought ;i l-oiit a period of fluctuation and economic unsettledness and industrial unrest. They bad heard ol class war ami class distrust, hut while that sort of thing might lie understandable in the older countries of the world, there was less excuse for it in New Zealand, where they had the results ol the cliorts of their pioneers and a sound educational system, which gave theii :011s and daughters every opportunity of developing themselves to attain whatever position their latent powers might lit them for. He was glad to say that they had not in New Zealand the rigid class distinction which existed in oldei countries, where the barrier was so absolutely hard and last that it was almost impossible for any man to rise above his environment. unless he happened to he a most exceptional man. They in New Zealand nearly all came from the same pioneering stock. I hex bad much in common, and perhaps il they all realised that, they would get on better.

FARMERS AND FIN A NCI

MORATORIUM ASKED FOR

WELLINGTON, March 9

On behalf of hundreds of (miners and others ,wliom lie states are faced with various financial difficulties, owing mainly to the sudden collapse in prices of stocks, and wool, and other products, Mr Field, M.P., wrote to the Premier, stating that a moratorium was needed. He said it was much mare urgently required now than during the war period.

If, on June JO, lie says, mortgagors were placed at the absolute mercy ol mortgagees, who might call in moneys peremptorily or demand an execssixo rate of interest for rentals, there would lie widespread bankruptcy, especially among members of the farming community.

He urged that legislation be passed relieving the borrowers of money for a further period, without inflicting hardships upon mortgages. .Mr Massey has replied, that it lias already been arranged to deal xx ith the question of a moratorium during the lii--t session, and that necessarx legislation is being prepared-

NEW ZEALAND BOWLERS. WELLINGTON, March 7

private advice has been received that the touring New Zealand bowlers had a splendid reception in Sydney. They were taken for a harbour excursion under the guidance of Mr John Payne, ex-M.P. for Grey Lynn, now secretary to the Prime Minister of New South Wales. The team was most hospitably entertained. It played a match against St. George Club, defeating the latter by txventy-txvo points. In a game against Waringal Club, played at the Mosinan Green at night by the aid of electric light, the New Zealanders were victorious by 72 to 61.

FALL IN STOCK PRICES

SERIOUS POSITION

WANGANUI, March 9

The serious position that has arisen in consequence of the fall in stock prices, was discussed at a meeting of the Farmers Union here to-day. Mr IV. J. Poison (Provincial president of the Wellington Farmers Union) said the position was critical, ami it could not go on; otherwise the country would be faced with a catastrophe. It was the duty of the Government to go in for rigid economy. Mr G. A. Campbell (Representative of the Wanganui ’Freezing Coy) held that only an extension of the moratorium could save the position. He knew an instance where a man paid £20,000 011 a farm, xvlio, on the previous day, had had to walk out without sixpence; and another man who had paid 95,000 down was in the same position. The country was on the fringe of depression and it was difficult to say what the future would be.

The following motion was carried: — “That, the Government be asked to confer with the freezing companies of N.Z. xvith a view to some arrangement being made to secure that the imperial-ly-held meat be disposed of as soon as possible in order to provide an untrammelled market for the free meat coming forward from time to time.” It was also decided to endorse the following resolution carried at the i-e----cont meeting of the provincial executive:—“That in view of the difficulties in the disposal of primary produce, the Premier be asked whether some scheme could lie devised to protect farmers from arliitratorv calls from financial concerns liv an extension of the moratorium or otherwise.

LEAGUE INTER-STATE GAMES. AUCKLAND, March 9

Tlu; New Zealand Rugby League lias accepted an invitation from New South Wales to send a team to Sydney, this season, when matches will be played against New South Wales and Queensland in Sydney. The League has also cabled Queensland suggesting dates for a number of matches to be played in that State.