TELEGRAMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 June 1921, Page 2

TELEGRAMS.

VARIOUS DOMINION ITEMS.

fPBB PRESS ASSOCIATION.—-COPXo-u.il

TRAM WORKERS DISPUTE. WELLINGTON, June 14

In accordance with instructions from the Minister of Labour, the Conciliation Commissioner (Mr W. Newton), to-day, presided over a conference, to try and arrange a settlement of the tramwaymen’s dispute. The Union, which is asking for an increase of 3d per hour, and one day off in seven, had applied that a disputes committee be set up under the Labour Disputes Investigation Act, 1913,' and to-day’s proceedings were held with the object of seeing whether a settlement could not be reached before putting the provisions of the Act into operation. At the instigation of the Commissioner the discussion was private. A conference between the parties in tbe tramwaymen’s dispute was held today. Proceedings were in camera two points proving a stumbling block. It is hoped these will be overcome.

FATAL FIRE. CHRISTCHURCH, June 14 A fatal fire occurred at Hornby. An eight roomed house, owned by F. H. iteel, butcher of Christchurch, was completely destroyed. The occupant, John Hampton, a single man. 55 years of ige, a meat cart driver, perished in t!i? flames. He lived in tbe house alone. HON ANDERSON’S VIEWS. WELLINGTON, June 14 “There are enormous quantities of coal in Now Zealand,” said the Minister of Mines Air Anderson) when referring to his tour of the coal mining districts, which concluded his visit to the West Coast. He added that it was unfortunate that the geological structure of the country,was very much broken, so the coalfields had many faults, but even when an allowance was made for this, there was abundant coal for all our requirements. The Dominion should not suffer from any shortage. The Government did not wish to import coal, if enough could be produced here, but if adequate supplies were not produced they must be imported.

PUBLIC SERVICE BOARD. WELLINGTON, June 15 Tlie following officers of the Public Service have been nominated as candidates for election to the vacancy for the elected member of the Public Service Board of Appeal:—E. F. Hawthorne (Department of Justice, Wellington); G. H. Irvine (Government Printing Office, Wellington); A. H. B. Jordan (Audit Department, Christchurch); J. \l. Kelly (Valuation Department, Christchurch). H. R. Spence (of the Customs Department at Dunedin) was also nominated, but lie lias now withdrawn. INQUEST VERDICT. WELLINGTON, June 15. As a result of the inquest held into the death of Miss Lindsay, late Matron of Grey town Hospital, tlie Coroner returned a verdict that deceased met her death by strangulation self inflicted, while mentftllv affected.

FINE OF £IOO. FOR FAILURE TO DESTROY RABBITS. DUNEDIN, June 15 At Naseby, John Fenton convicted for the third time of failing to destroy rabbits, was fined tlie maximum penalty of £IOO, with costs. Mr Levvey was the-presiding Magistrate. CHURCH UNION. * AUCKLAND, June 15. Auckland Presbytery approved of the recommendations of the Assembly’s Committee favouring union with the Congregational Church. OTAGO LABOUR PROTEST. DUNEDIN, June 14. A deputation from the Otago branch of the New Zealand Workers’ Union waited on Mr Statham, M.P., to protest against what was stated to be an alleged breach of an agreement. Mr Boreham stated that the local Labour Office was cutting down wages of men now being sent into the country by 25 to 30 1-3 per cent, on agreement rates showing the mistake in the Acting-Pre-mier’s recent statement. The Union condemned the relief business and said it was wrong to ask men to go into the country where everything was dearer, at a. wage they could not live on. Mr Statham said he believed the Government’s principle of paying low rates was quits wrong, He promised to endeavour to notify what appeared at a moral bread) of the igrtwritati