TELEGRAMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 July 1922, Page 4

TELEGRAMS.

[BY TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION] PRICE OF FLOUR. DUNEDIN, July 22. Canterbury millers having cut tlie price of flour I)%' £1 a ton, and there being no hope of the tariff war ceasing in Canterbury, Dunedin millers reduced their price this morning by £2, making bakers’ sacks £t(>.

PETROL RAILWAY RATES Rl< DIKED.

INVERCARGILL, July 24

The reduction of railway freights on petrol by one-third as from to-day brings to light the success of the road transport of petrol, used so much in the North Island, and which has been_eonspicuously successful in Southland. Motor lorry services take the spirit from the store direct to the country destinations, saving the double-hand-ling essential with railway transport, and having the great advantage of convenience as well as less actual haulage cost. The lorries travel any day. The railways accepi petrol only on certain davs. Oarage men here state that this iS the beginning of the railway price war against the motor lorries. It is understood the lorry charges will probably he reduced in the same proportion as the railways.

VOLCANIC ACTIVITY. WELLINGTON, July 24

An unusual display of activity and volcanic discharge at White Island, in the Ray of Plenty, was observed dining last week. Colonel J. Ward, of Tanranga, who base long observed seisniological and other phenomena in tlie district, lias telegraphed to Professor Marsden, of Victoria College, stating: “Yesterday White Island beat my thirty-six years’ record. I measured the column of vapour as 9984 feet above sea level. The island is quiet to-day.”

MINISTER AND BOARD. WELLINGTON, July 21

At a meeting of the Hoard of Oovernliors of the Technical College, a letter was received from the Hon C. J. Parr, .Minister of Education, ' expressing the opinion that the attack on the Government made through the Press by members of the Hoard was unfair, and lie regretted that it had been necessary for him to reply to the attack in the local newspapers. A comparison of the expenditure on Auckland University College, £1 0.000 this year, with that on Wellington Technical College, was ail attempt to base a charge of partiality that was untenable and unjust. The expenditure on University buildings was as follows:—Victoria College £87,090, Cantei bury £2:1,(100, Otago .£98,000, Auckland £II,OOO. The Government had made provision for the £9411 asked for by the Hoard at an interview with the .Minister. This would enable tlie Hoard to (inisli and equip the western and central wings. The Government had found a total of £10,090. The Hoard decided to carry out certain work.

FOURTEEN Cl I A ROES. WELLINGTON, Julv 21

Da rid Davies, the man whom Dot ortho Kemp found in his residence, and chase I and captured, is to have fourteen charges of btoaking and entering preferred again-t him alien lie appears ia lie- Court on Wednesday. The total value ot the goods concerned in the thefts is nenrlv £IOO.

NAPIER WOOL SALE. NAPIER, duly 21

The final wool sale of the season was held to-day. There was a good attendance of English, Conlineiilal, Japanes", and local buyers. No wool was forward suitable for the American trade. All other classes acre, keenly competed for. Eh. ere wools sold lip to, cud in some cases above, London parity. Pieces and bellies elicited the keenest competition, values being Id to LI above those ruling at the previous sale. Criiteliingx comprised the larger portion of the catalogue, and sold under animated competition at an advance for medium to good or quite }d per lb. Locks were also keenly hid for. Mil SASTRI’S MISSION. AUCKLAND. .July 22. A civic reception was accorded Mr Srinivasa Sust-ri last evening. Replying to two arguments against tin* granting of equal citizenship to Indians domiciled in the Dominions, he said that undue advantage was taken of the fact that India’s franchise was not yet as wide a„ in the selfgoverning Dominions. Immigrants from foreign countries were not asked what was the political condition of their country, and ho asked why Indians. although Jiritisli subjects were alone told that they could not get a greater measure of enfranchisement than they possessed in their own country. The scqond objection was based on apprehension as to the grunting of lull equality. In New (Zealand it could have no effect, because Live Indian population which numbered only between 3(10 and 41KI, would mot upset political institutions. This demurrer had particular reference to South Africa, where in Natal for instance, the Indian population far exceeded that of the whites. jEquality could not he granted there, and therefore it was inadvisable to create a precedent. He recognised that South Africa was on a different footing, hut there was no need for the other Dominion,, to vex themselves with that problem. AYith South Africa, expressly excluded by the decision of the Premier’s Conference, it was not proper for other Dominions to delay the solution of a vexed problem which could he made safely and easily.

RUAI’EII IPS IMMIGRANTS. WELLINGTON, July 23

'l’he Ruapehu, which arrived this afternoon front the Old Country, brought 222 immigrants to the Dominion, comprising 40 men, 94 women, and 82 children. In addition there were 31 domestic servants under Mrs Richards. The ship’s officers speak' in terms of high praise of tlie newcomers, and their exemplary behaviour during the voyage. They are regarded as being the best lot that has ever cyme to New- Zealand on this vessel. They all landed as they had travelled- healthy and well.

MATN ROADS BILL. WELLINGTON, July 24

A. further stage in the task of securing a sound legislative basis for solving the main roads problem will he reached this week, when the Minister of Public Works will circularise local bodies and other interested organisations, giving draft proposals for tlie Main Roads Bill.

It in reported that the recent conference has caused the Government do modify considerably the original proposals. Tho now scheme is likely to 1m? less comprehensive, hut will cover the principal arterial roads. There also is likely to he a change in tho basis of finance. Motorists arc admittedly in a poor position to stand additional ta.xation this year, and it will 1)0 found that the Government, while suggesting an annual tax. is quite willing to defer its imposition for one year. Tin's would not prejudice any comprehensive scheme, he-

cause preliminaries will take tune, and the tax could he collected when practical benefits are becoming obvious.

.Meanwhile the tyre tax is becoming a good nest-egg, which will enable a start to be made.

SOLDIER SETTLERS.

WELLINGTON, July 24

The Minister ol Lands is not yet able to announce the names ol those who will advise the Government upon conditions at soldier settlements, as a large number of appointments are required. There are eleven land districts, and as knowledge of local conditions is required !to deal with the case of each settlement on it s merits, the Minister will require to have two advisers in some districts, while one will lie sufficient in others. The adviser's will he independent of land hoards, hut will* have access to the necessary official information, reporting to the Wellington Advisory Board which tins been controlling soldier settlement under the llou D. IT. Guthrie’s direction. Thus there will not be a new board in tlie ordinary sense of the term, lint a series of qualified local advisers throughout the Dominion.