TELEGRAMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 May 1922, Page 3

TELEGRAMS.

! [BY TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION

GOOD ROADS. WELLINGTON, April 28 A letter was received h.v tile executive of the Wellington Automobile C'luh

stating that the Government would during the recess ask local authorities, good roads associations and automobile associations to meet and discuss with the Minister of Public Works the whole question, with a view to arrivng at a satisfactory understanding. It was stated that legislation will he introduced early next session. The Minister of Public Works has since confirmed the above statement. Meantime by section 12 of tlie Finance Act, 19212the lire tax is being paid into a special account of the public funds, to to known as the Main Highways Account, and this money cannot he touched except for road' purposes and on Parliamentary appropriation.

APPEAL CASE. WELLINGTON. May 1

In continuation of his argument before the Court of appeal in the ease National Mutual Life Association of Australia Ltd., v. Sinal'lield, Mr Grey stated the appellant asked that Justice Stringer’s judgment should he reversed hut the Company could not complain if a new trial was ordered. - The evidence before Justice Stringer had establish-

ed (he contended) the proposed amended defence. The evidence for the respondent showed that Smallfield had been rejected from military service. It was his duty to disclose this in his proposal for insurance. He had not done so. The evidence also showed that Smallfield must have known that his health was not good, and yet lie had, in his proposal, stated it was. He had warranted the truth of all the answers in his proposal for insurance. There had been not only a liiistatement, hut there had also been a lion-disclosure of tho material fact of his rejection for military servjce. He contended therefore, the policy was void. .Mr Johnston also addressed the' Court in support of appellant's contentions. No reasonable man could have truthfully answered the questions as Smallfield had insured them in his proposal for insurance. Mr Ostler, for the respondent, Mrs Lucy Smallfield dealt at length with tin' history of this ease. He pointed out that the Insurance Company had known, more than six months before ti:e trial, that Mr Smallfield had. been rejected from military service, and yet they had not raised this point until tho trial was nearly over. Argument is still proceeding.

TO STOP BRITISH IMMIGRATION WELLINGTON, May 1.

A deputation from the Central Progress League interviewed Mr Massey, Mr Contes, and Mr Anderson concerning unemployment. They urged that the present immigration should stop, while there were men out of work in the country. They urged also that public works should he speeded up, so as to provide work, ns tile position was bad now, and it would become worse he. fore the winter.

Mr Massey said that, the last big shipment of immigrants had arrived, and there would be no more big shipments before the spring. The Government had sent 1105 unemployed to various public works and would be employing more. New Zealand could not close is doors entirely to British immigrants Britisli people were not experiencing great difficulties. Immigrants all helped the country, he said, to bear the burden of debt.

An assurance was given that works would lie commenced to provide for a certain number of able-bodied men, and for a smaller number unable to do hard work, but Mr. Massey said he would emphasise that local bodies who had raised loans must do their share.

THEFTS ADMITTED. AUCKLAND, May 1. Frank Jocelyn Johnstone Fletcher, a commercial tilivelier, aged 24, admitted a series of charges of obtaining "ooils by means of false pretence, and ilso two charges of theft. The total amount involved is £536 11s lOd. Hi thefts included four diamond rings, valued at £lO6. The accused made various representations as to his business and standing to several people. The rings were given to him by a woman to wear, and she also advanced him money, which lie promised to return. He was committed for sentence. CHURCH UNION. AUCKLAND, May 1. The Auckland Synod resumed its debate on Bishop Sedgwick’s motion regarding church unity.

Bishop Averill moved, ;is an amendment, hv way of an addition, that cop- 1 ies of the I.ambeth Appeal, and resolutions on union, he sent to the leaders of the Christian churches in Now Zealand .and that the churches he invited to co-operate with the Anglican Church in prayers, study and conference with a view of the ultimate realisation of I ambctli union. A further amendment, was moved by | Canon AYilford (Christchurch), suhsti- [ tilting for the second half of the mo- ; tion, a cl'uisc urging the clergy and i laiy of the Province to us,, every np--1 portunity to get’resolutions passed at that conference, and this great ques- / tion studied and discussed with the 1 mem tiers of other Christian bodies. ! Arehdcneon Taylor seconded the lati ter amendment, warning the Synod ; against any action that would pledge ■it to a promiscuous interchange of i preachers. ' ■••wllv. at Canon AVilford’s request. is amendment iras withdrawn, on the ; ground that it was the subject of a misunderstanding. The motion, with Dr Avcrill’s am- ! endment .was carried unanimously.

AfU MASS BA’ NOT OOTNfi TO SAMOA. WELLINGTON, Mnv 1. On account of many matters of great, importance waiting to bo dealt with in Now Zealand at present, Mr Afassev states he is reluctantly compelled to. postpone his visit to Samoa. RETURNED FROAr SYDNEY. AUCKLAND, A ray ‘2. Hon Downie Stewart returned from Sydney to-day. He states the agreement made with Australia in his own inind would prove satisfactory, but that could only be determined when it had beep submitted to both Pfirliamonts,