VARIOUS DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 June 1921, Page 4

VARIOUS DOMINION ITEMS.

TELEGRAMS.

[by TELEGRAPH—PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

LIBEL ACTION AGAINST “N.Z

TIMES.”

REV J. K. ARCHER AWARDED

£SO DAMAGES

WELLINGTON, June 7

In the Supreme Court action, the Rev J. K. Archer v. the “New Zealand Times” Company, in which plaintiff claimed £ISOO damages for alleged libel, the jury found that the statements in the leading article in the “Times” that plaintiff was a revolutionary communist were defamatory, while the balance of the editorial was fair comment on statements made by the Chancellor of the University (Sir Robert Stout). Plaintiff was awarded £SO damages, with costs on the lowest scale. MRS FARR’S CASE. WELLINGTON, June 8 There are special circumstances in the case of Mrs Farr which have necessarily led the authorities to the conclusion that she cannot be compelled to take the oath of allegiance before landing in New Zealand. It is understood that Mrs Farr can land here if it is her wish to do so. Apparently, however, she has no such desire, because it is believed she wishes to return to Sy(l-

THE FINANCIAL OUTLOOK. DUNEDIN, June 7 Sir George Fenwick, chairman of directors of the Perpetual Trustees and Agency Company, in his annual address to shareholders to-day, said: "1 am suilieient of an optimist to believe that the present financial troubles of this Dominion are only temporary. We shall no doubt have to endure them fqr a year or two, but with gradually diminishing effect, ami when the markets for our produce have returned to settled conditions, added to the wonderful productiveness of our soil, which is more and more a matter for our own congratulation and for the admiration of the people of other lands, the spirits o, producers, traders, and the people as a whole will quickly respond to the genial influences at work. We have only to look at the wonderful figureswith respect to the savings ot the people disclosed by the latest savings hank and banks of issue returns to realise that our community as a whole is prospering, and has given evidence of prudence and thrift in its daily life.

LABOUR AND CAPITAL

WELLING - :ON, June 0

|,aboni representatives met at the Trades Hall to discuss the suggestion from the Employers’ Federation that there should he a conference between the employers and the employees, to discuss the question of the cost of living; particularly respecting such items as bread, meat, butter, and sugar. After a discussion, it uas agreed to meet the employers in conference to-morrow. The following are tin' delegates: Employers, T. S. Weston (President of the Employers’ Federation), A. C. Mitchell (Vice-Presi-dent), H. A. Mainland, W. 11. Bennett, and T. Munt. Employees’ delegates are: M. J. Reardon, J. McCombs, M.P., A. Parlanc, .). McKenzie, and E. Ken- 1 ' nody. Considerable interest is being shown in the conference. A lu>|>e is generally expressed that it may lead to further round-tclie-table conferences to discuss various subjects.

UK EK E KI»E R S’’ CON FEU EN CE

AUCKLAND, Juno 8

The eighth annual conference of the National Beekeepers Association of New Zealand opened this morning, under the presidency of Mr W. Watson (Geraldine). There were about sixty delegates from all 'over New Zealand including a number of ladies. Mr Kirk Director of the Horticulture Division, attended the conference, as well as other officials connected with the apiary section.

Mr Kirk, in formally opening the 'conference, mentioned that in 1905 the value of hoyey exported from New Zealand was £BS. and in 1920 the total had increased to £34,134. Tn the course of his address the president said lie hoped the conference would again emphasise the serious question of securing better means of controlling disease, which was the most sorjous factor operating against the progress of the industry. At the same time, New Zealand beekeepers might congratulate themselves that they had only one serious disease to fight. They must, however, continue to strive for more inspectors, and increase the interest from Parliament with a view to improving the status of the industry.

WEST COAST DECREASE

WELLINGTON, June 9

The Government Statistician has prepared a preliminary return showing the population of certain grouped counties, including interior boroughs and town districts. The return covers the whole Dominion and illustrates the movement of the population and percentage of increase or decrease in cash (•outage of increase or decrease in each district. 'fho following are of local interest: Duller, Tnangahua, Grey and Westland, population 1921, 32,060; population 1916, 33,920. Decrease per cent 5. CLAIM AGAINST DOCTOR. CHRISTCHURCH, June 9. The case in which Mrs Ada Fleming claimed £1730 general and special damages from Dr. Maurice I.ouisson, for alleged negligent and unskilful treatment was concluded to-day. The following questions were put to the jury: “Did the plaintiff suffer injury by reason of the negligence of the de fondant?” —Answer: “No.” “If the answer is ‘Yes,’ then what' damages, if any, is plaintiff entitled to, special or general?”—No answer. Judgment was entered for the defendant, with costs.