TELEGRAMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 June 1921, Page 1

TELEGRAMS.

(PEB PRKBB ASSOCIATION.--OOPY BIGHT

LAKE WAIKAREMOANA

QUESTION OF OWNERSHIP

GISBORNE, June 13

The matter of the ownership of Lake Waikaremoana came before the Native Land Appellate Court at Wairoa. The Court comprised Judges Jones and Rawson, and the progress of the hearing was attentively followed by a large number of Natives. The Crown Solicitor applied for an adjournment to Wellington to defiriit e the Crown rights, and the Natives withdrew, by leave of the Court, to consider their position. On resuming, the Natives’ advocate agreed to the adjournment, but suggested that the Crown should grant assistance to them in the matter of retaining counsel, pointing out that they recognised that all the lakes must eventually become public property as an asset of national importance. In connexion with their request the Natives suggested that if it was finally decided that compensation hod to be paid to them, the cost of the State assistance in retaining counsel could be deducted, while on the other hand, if the decision of the Court was against compensation, the. contribution would ho very little in comparison v r ith the value of the asset to which the State title would he then assured. It is intended to hear the matter before the full Native Land Court Bench at Wellington.

CIVIL SERVANTS. WELLINGTON, June 15 Delegates from all over New Zealanc are, to-day, attending the conference o the New Zealand Superannuated C'ivi Servants’ Association.

Messrs R. A. Wright M.P. (Mayor) Dr Newman M.P., and Sir ,T. Lulu M.P., spoke in favour of more consul oration from the Government for re tired Civil Servants.

Captain Barclay, president of the Association, replying, said that he felt they could stall the meeting with a

feeling they had the backing of men of matured exjieriencc. Captain Barinov was unanimously elected president of the conference. Displaying the form members of the Association are now' required to fill up if they desire to secure a bonus, lie asked n-liat it meant, and answered that it was in offence and an exasperation. The Prime Minister had earmarked £IOO,OOO f'or bonuses, but the Association could not secure any information whether or not this amount had been expended.

WRONGLY GAOLED

DUNEDIN, June 11. In the Supreme Court, this morning, the Magistrate’s conviction of Erie Hansson was declared had, and an order was made for his immediate release hy Justice Adams, on an application for a writ of habeas corpus, for the release of Hansson, who was sentenced at Middlemnrch, by Mr E. C. T.ew.v, S.M. to two terms of imprisonment on charges of procuring liquor while prohibited. Mr A. C. Hanlon pointed out that the Licensing Act fixed a maximum penalty of £lO, in default three months imprisonment hut the Magistrate had given Hansson no option.

FINES REDUCED

AUCKLAND, June 13

The fine of £IOO imposed on two seamen for smuggling has since been reduced by the Magistrate to £25 apiece, both being married with families. They are able to pay the smaller sum and so avoid imprisonment.

N.Z. WORKERS’ UNTON

A N NUAL CONEER ENCE

WELLINGTON, Jun© 15. The Annual Conference of the N.Z

Workers’ Union opened to-day. In welcoming the delegates the President, Mr Arthur Cook said the Conference was the most important yet held. Referring to the unemployment problem, lie impressed upon tho delegates the extreme gravity of the situation in the shearing industry, lie considered tho sebum© outlined in Sydney in March, relating to the formation of One Big Union throughout Australasia, should ho heartily endorsed hy the Conterenee. The industrial situation was so critical in New Zealand and Australia that any further delay in the realisation of this scheme would have fatal consequences. In regard to the dispute with the sheepowners, he said if the Union could not get justice in the Arbitration Court or by agreement, it would be necessary for all the members to enforce their claims on tho job. The Conference set up a committee to meet one representative of the Alliance of Labour to discuss proposals for affiliation with that body. The Conference adjourned, pending teh result of the meeting.

VARIOUS DOMINION ITEMS.