TELEGRAMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 April 1921, Page 4

TELEGRAMS.

VARIOUS DOMINION ITEMS.

(PER PRESS ASSOCIATION. COPYRIGHT. ASIATIC IMMIGRATION.

THE NEW LAAV

WELLINGTON, April G

It is explained by Mr Downie Stewart, Minister of Customs, that under the Induration Restriction Anigtidmciit Act, 1920, Asiatics are not allowed to land in New Zealand, except in pursuaiu-e of a permit issued by the Minister of Customs. There is no need to fear any influx of these races while the legislation now on the Statute Hook remains in force. Asiatics "’ho "cle on route to the Dominion when the present restrictions took effect have been permitted to land under the old conditions.

RAILWAY SAFETY

THE HUAI AN EQUATION

WELLINGTON, April 6

In connection with the recent sensational happening at Hunterville, when Main Trunk driver failed |to carry out tablet regulations, the Minister of Railways was asked what steps were being taken to minimise such awful risks in future.

Mr Massey replied that the enginedriver and fireman who disregarded the danger signal had been dismissed and the guard of the train had been suitably'dealt with. The Alain Trunk railway system was equipped with the best known appliances for ensuring safety,, and instructions regarding the working of these appliances were definite on all points, more especially in regard to obedience to signal and -tablet working. Tin* Hunterville incident was directly due to the failure of the trainmen to carry out the rules. The driver had admitted that lie went to sleep, and th ( > liroman failed to take any action to direct his attention to the signal awl have tlie train brought to a standstill. 'Flic equipment- of the line with efficient safety appliances met all practical .requirements as far as was humanly possible, and beyond this no steps ol practical value could bo taken.

, t IMMIGRATION POLICY. -, 1 GOVERNMENT DECIDE TO “MARK |; TF AIK.’ i- j AYR I,LING TON. April (>. . ! |n view ol tin* difficulty that is likely r to be met with in securing accommot dation and employment during the winr ter months. Cabinet has decided to i modify the immigration policy, re--1 striding passages to those immigrants - who have assured employment, and accommodation to go to on their arrival - in New Zealand. So far the Immigra- , Lion Department lias experienced very little difficulty in dealing with new ar- ) rivals. This is considered the more I gratifying when it, is remembered that - from April 1920, to Afarcli, 1921, some ■ 9543 immigrants landed on our shores. ;Of this number 4730 came under the ■ nomination system, and 4813 under the Imperial settlement scheme. In view : of the. present outlook in the Dominion ' it is considered advisable to “mark time” meanwhile. i . PRICK- OF BUTTER. i 1 1 A MINIS'!KRIAL STATKAIENT. 1 WELLINGTON, April ft. 1 “A statement is being made that the Government intends to uso Imperial 1 stocks of butter to force down tlie local ' price below the cost of production,” ' said the Prime Minister (Air Afassev) ' to-day. “This statement is not i-or--1 reel ; it is the reverse of correct. It is the business of tlie Government to do its duty to both the producers and >*tlic consumers. All that the Government knows about the Imperial stocks of butter, which are not under our control. is that tlie Imperial Government is willing under certain conditions to 1 sd! the butter af. a lower price than : was paid for it.” j Mr Massey’s statement refers to hut- J tor that was purchased by the British Government through the Imperial Snp- ! plies Department under the contract i hat expired on A larch 31st. The price : paid for this butter was 2s fid per lb. I A very large quantity of this Imperial j butter still in tlie stores in New | Zealand awaiting shipment. Tlie ren- ; son why the British Government is : willing to sell butler from the stores I at a. loss is obvious in the light of the i statement cabled this week that the ' wholesale price ol New Zealand first and second grade better in London is now 202 s per ewt., or roughly, 2s 4ld per Hi. Tlie price already paid for the stored butter is 2s 0:1 per lb, and the cost landed in London will be in the neighbourhood of 2s 9d per lb. A further fall in the London price is predicted. i TDK NEW PARTY. WELLINGTON, April fi. ' Mr C. E. St-atham, M.P.. arrived in Wellington and presided over a full meeting of the executive council of the National Progressive and Moderate Labour Party. The terms of the eonj stitution and rules were (iiuilly agreed : to. i X.Z. BUILDING TRADE UNIONS. AVELLINGTON, April 7. It is understood that a movement is afoot for the amalgamation of several Trades Unions in Wellington connected with the building industry. . A Conferece will probably lie held in a few days’ time to consider the details of the scheme. If it is adopted it may result in the pooling of profits at present controlled by individual unions, and ultimately the amalgamation may become national. j DRIVERS’ A AVAR D. DUNEDIN, April 7. Conciliation Commissioner Dagger to-day continued a sitting of the Conciliation Council here to consider the framing of a Dominion Drivers’ Award. The sitting occupied two days, and today went on continuously until after seven, by which time a complete agreement, on what is regarded by both sides as a very satisfactory basis, was •reached and duly signed. Details of the settlement are with-held from publien tion meantime.