VARIOUS DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 June 1921, Page 3

VARIOUS DOMINION ITEMS.

TELEGRAMS.

pg; *ii.,EGRAPH—PER PRESS ASSOCIATION]

BUTTER PRICE CRITICISED. WELLINGTON, June 10. In the course of a statement in reply to criticisms over the price of butter, Mr Brash, (secretary of the National Dairy Association) points out that this winter the producers are receiving 4d per lb. less than in the summer. He says the price of bulk butter at the factory door is Is ll ’d which is increased to 2s ljd b# the subsidy, which is actually a bonus to the consumers, and not producers, at the cost of the general taxpayers. The removal of the socalled subsidy would mean that the retail price would bo 2s sd. The cry of “parity” at the butter producer was ilheer nonsense. The fact was being overlooked that when it was summer in New Zealand it was winter in England. The producers would have a free market after August. Had the free market period expired in July, 1922, they would bo receiving 2s 9d instead of the Is 7 3-8 d paid by the Imperial Government, which had made a profit of eight millions out of New Zealand butter and cheese in two years. That butter was retailed in Britain at 3s Id per lb. .'THE LATE RICHARD SEDDON. CEREMONY AT NATIONAL MONUMENT. WELLINGTON, June 10 A touching ceremony took place at the National Monument to the late Rt Hon R. J. Seddon, in the Parliament Grounds, when a laurel wreath was placed on it “On behalf of West Coasters resident in Wellington, with deep affection and grateful remembrance of his devoted services to the cause of humanity.”

Mr J. J. McGrath, on behalf of the Association, voiced the deep feeling, reverence and affection with which the memory of Richard John Seddon ■ was kept'greon in the hearts ot all West Coasters. Those present adjourned to Mrs Seddon’s residence to personally tender her their sympathy and affection. Inspector W. B. Mcllveney, an old Kuinara. hoy, and the oldest Coaster present, expressed their sympathy to Aiis Seddon. Her son, Mr T. E. A'. Seddon, M.P., feelingly thanked them for their kind words and thoughtful remembrance.

CENSUS OBJECTED TO

TWO MEN FINED

AUCKLAND, June 10 “Conscientious reasons,” laconically declared two middle-aged men, Harry Batten and .Joseph Batten, ol Edendalc, who came before Mr Poyuton, S.M., today on a charge of liavng failed to fill in their census papers. “Ridiculous rot,” retorted the Magistrate with equal brevity, when it was explained that the men refused to fill in the papers when asked to do so by-the census suboiiuinerator, and that Joseph Batten had been lined (in default a month’s imprisonment) on the occasion of the 1917 census for a similar attitude. .Joseph Ratten was fined £lO, in default a month's imprisonment, and Harry Batten was lined to, in default 14 days’ imprisonment.

l i EEKEEPEES’ CONFERENCE. AUCKLAND, June 10 At the Beekeepers’ Confeieiiee, Mr T. \Y. Kirk was elected President of the National Association amid applause. Mr T. Clark was elected VicePresident. Al.cuihers of the Executive were elected as follows: —North Island, R. Hutchinson, A. R. Bates; South Island, L. Irwin, \Y. E. Barker; Secretary, treasurer, and auditor, F. C. Barnes.

MINISTER AT WESTPORT. L WESTPORT, .liino 9. I r The Hon O. J. Anderson (Minister for j ~ Mines) made n tour of the mining town- j j ships of Duller district, including Hen-j niston, Granity, Millerton, Stockton and I Seddonville, the last-named being the scene of co-operative mining on a fairly . extensive scale. Deputations were met ] and various requirements placed before j the Minister. On his return to town, j Mr Anderson was tendered a civic lunch- e eon and civic reception, and later heard ( deputations regarding the Puller Gorge ; railway and scientific research into tW- ; by-products of brown coals. The Minis- ; , ter leaves for Nelson in the morning. R.S.A. | , DUNEDIN, June. 11 ’ , The Dominion Conference oi the R.S.A. resolved yesterday that the in- . coming Executive be instructed to inti- ( mate to Government tlieir keen disap- ] pointment that by the Air'.ac Day Act, , April 25 was declared a statutory holi- ; day without at the same time making j it a close holiday; further that -the , Executive be instructed to take the necessary steps to secure the amendment to the Act in this direction. Other resolutions congratulated the Returned Soldiers, Sailors and lmperai! League of Australia on the determined stand taken against disloyalists. It was decided to take no further action in the case which a police officer made improper use of the badge, the ( onunissioner of Police having promised a non- ( recurrence. i MISHAP TO ATUA. ; AUCKLAND, June 10. j Details of the mishap to the s.s. > Atua show that the vessel cleared Beg-i passage and hit hard, lurching heavily. She kept going with the momentum and struck again twice with less force. Sim got again into deep water, and within four minutes there was seven feet of water in No 2 hold. The captain beached her on a good bottom inside the reef. During the night the water came to within a font of tween decks. About 800 tons of sugar had become ruined. ! The diver found a large dent and a hole ■ on the bilge. Later the steamer was pumped dry and refloated. SUVA, June 10. The Court of Enquiry found that the steamer Atua struck an uncharted coral head. There was no default or wilful neglect by the master, whose t prompt action in beaching the vessel was commended.