TELEGRAMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 July 1921, Page 4

TELEGRAMS.

[by telegraph—per press association]

WELLINGTON, June 30.

A special meeting of the National Execuitve Council of the National Progressive and Moderate Labour Partj was held at Wellington.

Mr E. Kollet, M.P., reported upon the activities of the Dunedin District Council.

The lion, general organiser (Mr W. I>. Black), who had just returned from Auckland, submitted a report upon the results achieved in forming a District Council there. The appointments of the following members were confirmed: —Messrs G. li. 7’oster, district president; W. 11. Hart, vice-president; Montagu Ream, treasurer and secretary; J. Hardlev, A. E. Glover, Clifford Thompson, ('. II- Cawkwell, Claude Allan, and H. McKcnzie-Smith. Messrs Foster, ATcKenzie-Smith, and Hart were elected to the National Executive Council, as representatives of the Auckland district.

The superannuation scheme of tinparty was further discussed, and tindetails were finally confirmed. ORPHANAGES. DUNEDIN, June 30. At a social function held by the Overseas Club, the Rev. 15. A. Axelsen described as “terribly erroneous,” the staenu-nt of the Minister of Education (the Hon. C. J. Parr) that in the whole of New Zealand there were only thirty-four children in Church orphanages whose parents were dead, whereas tli c , Government had 500 such under its care. When someone had asked him if tin- statement were true, he had replied that probably ft was, but ho bad pointed out that the Government only tabulated returns for those children in orphanages who were under six years of age, and it was the usual practice of the orphanage authorities to hoard out the younger children and take them in at a later date. Thus it might he that there were only 3-1 children in orphanages under six years of age (whose parents were dead), but nothing had been said about the large mini hers that wenboarded out, and in that particular Inwished to correct the wrong impression which the Minister’s statement might have created.

CARLES INTERRUPTED. WELLINGTON. July 1. The Eastern Extension Telegraph Co. advises: “Regret unable to resume United Kingdom traffic via Eastern until the Red Sen cables are restored. Three ships are on the ground but are unable to work on account of had weather. A second fast cable became interrupted on July 1, and the AidenZanzibar cable on Thursday. The delay will therefore increase. WATER FRONT LABOUR. WELLINGTON. June 30 Realising the position in regard to surplus labour, llm Harbour Hoard officials have adopted a svsteni bv which all casual labour on the wateriiont will l;c done away with, and the work put on a systematic basis. They recognise it is bettor in gi u . ;p;ti m en a living wage than pay 5(11) men, permanent and casuals, a wage scarcely nig enough to hoop tlu-m alive. Prcleiemc lias ! ecu given to their permanent. en.suals. men viimm l hey know Loin esperienee can do the .oik. Tliuw nundr. d and sixty ol these men have been selected to work during the winter months. They have been taken on their merits, with a view to cili-ciem-y and due regard to long service. r l key have hoen graded and grouped into pair,- and gangs, and with a few men who are to ,-u-l as casuals, to he called upon in cast.- of sickness or disablement, will In- the only workers on i he wharves during the w inter. The system came into operation as lioiii this morning. At !i o’clock three gangs were imtiiied that their services would lie required during the morning. However, the steamers duo did not arrive till tlie afternoon, hut the same men who had been engaged in the morning reported at a later hour for work. The new system moans that beforehand each man knows whether lie is to work the next day or not, and consequently when not working on the waterfront, may obtain another job elsewhere till his turn conies round again. NEW AWARD <>E WAGES. WELLINGTON. July I A now award for stationary and traction engine drivers here provides a -IS hour week - might or day); overtime, to he time and a hall for the first three hours, and double time thereafter. The minimum wage for engine drivers in charge of any boiler is: First-class certificate, 17s per day ; second-class, Ills; traction or locomotive certificate, 17s; winding engines, 1.75; firemen 15s (id; greasers, 15s (id; all with a. bonus of (id per day and onesixth dirt money.

JOCKEY SUSPENDED. . CHRISTCHURCH, July I T. L. Reid, rider of Cave Rock in the Rrabagon AYolter at Christchurch on Saturday, was suspended till July 31st- for bitting Link Up over the bead just as the field turned into lb* straight. COAL FREIGHTS. DUNEDIN, July 4. Attention having been drawn to tlio increases in freights on coal from Westport and Greymouth, Mr C. Holds worth (.Managing Director of the Union S.S. Coy.) declared the rates of freight charged up to the end of last month were not nearly sufficient to meet expenses for the steamers employed on the West Coast. Tn these circumstances, increases were absolutely necessary. For the next twelve months, he said the coal companies had agreed to advances these valying from 2/0 per ton to Wellington and Lyttelton, to a maximum of 5/- per ton to a roadstead port. MB uHHBaCTII ’W |

NEW POLITICAL PARTY