TELEGRAMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 June 1921, Page 4

TELEGRAMS.

VARIOUS DOMINION ITEMS.

L _. »*,i,UOiIAPH —PER .’-(ESa ASSOCIATION] dog trials. PALMERSTON NORTH, June 24. The chief attraction on the final day of the show were the dog trials, which were watched with a good deal of interest. The work on the whole was not as good as might have been expected with the large number of entries. The Governor-General visited the show during the day, and was entertained at luncheon by the committee. The attendance was large, and although the returns are not available to-night, it is certain that the patronage of the P u b‘ lie constitutes a record. The weather to-day was fine, hut a cold wind blowing across the ground made things very unpleasant. Following is the result of the dog trials:—E. Leahy’s (Mataroa) Bob, 1; R. AY. Trotter’s (Dannevirko) Mons, 2; R. Grant’s (Dannevirke) Straphey Dan, 3; J. Lang’s (Dannevirke) Tan 4. petone gasworks dispute. WELLINGTON, June 29. The position in respect to fhe (Petone Gasworks dispute has not undergone any change. A meeting of the representatives of the various trades unions in Wellington was held to-day. Mr Glover (Secretary of the Wellington Gasworkers’ Union) explained the ease for the stokers whom the Petone Borough Council has dismissed. CRUISER’S SEARCH FATES. WELLINGTON. June 29 The Minister of Defenee received advice at mid-day to-day from Commodore Jlotham that no trace of the C'anastola or her boats had been discovered by the cruiser .Chatham from" Wellington to Auckland. The cruiser has travelled west .about to search lor same. PARLIAMENT TO MEET. WELLINGTON, June 29 Replying to a deputation to-day, Hon Mr Parr said that Parliament probably will meet early in .September. This might mean a continuation of the ' session over Christmas. ! The Sugar Outlook. CHRISTCHURCH, June 28. A drop of from £8 to £l2 a ton in the price of sugar is expected by Christchurch merchants. There are rumours (now denied by the Board ol Trade) that a. new contract between the Government and the Colonial Sugar Company has been drawn up, if not signed. Traders lmv© therefore been buying cautiously. “War-time control should ho (rut on one side,” said a merchant. “There is a good chance ol cheaper sugar- Irani Java, and open competition would bring down the price of the Fiji product. Consumers cannot benefit in the long run if another Government contract comes into operation.” Tiro Government professes to he deeply concerned over the prospects of a. regular supply during th e coming twelve months, and on that ground it is supposed to he negotiating with the Colonial Sugar Refining Company. Against this, both wholesale and retail merchants argue that continued control

means heavy administration expense, without any 'distinct advantage. The whole policy of the British Government for the past year has been in the direction of a return to the open market. “Nursing” of any line by highly-paid officials has not produced satisfactory results. The average consumer would like to see a definite statement throwing a light on the whole position. There is a, feeling that Price Investigation Committees should he kept in existence in each of the four centres, not to harrnss trade, hut to inquire into details that often crop rip. One point mentioned yesterday .concerned an allegation that attempts are being made to mix brown sugar with the refined article and sell it at tho top price. A sample submitted bore out the charge.