TELEGRAMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 November 1922, Page 3

TELEGRAMS.

[uy TEL KG HAIM I—PER PRESS ASSOCIATION] FINED £«. AViKUEINGTON, Nov. i. A native, Thomas Andrews, was charged in the Magistrate’s Court with acting in a manner calculated to frighten the public. The police stated accused had been drinking and persisted in walking past three ladies, each time making remarks at them. Ho 'was mairied with three children. The Magistrate in lining him five pounds I said lie was lucky he was not charged under the Crimes Act, instead of the . by-la ws. I STATE MINI:. IDEE. GREY MOUTH. November 1. ! Tlie State Mine is idle to-day. The men wont to the mine as usual this morning, but decided at the entrance not to work, ft is understood the action is a protest against the cut in wages commencing to-day. All employees connected with the mine are affected excepting the engine drivers, who have a separate agreement. SOAR FACTORY BURNT. ! RIG INSURANCES. I _.... CHRISTCHURCH, Nov. 1. Zealandia Soap and Candle Factory, at Heathcote Ustinov, four miles from Christchurch, was destroyed by fire in the early hours. Motorists saw the fire at 2 a.m. and broke into the office and saved papers and safe. They telephoned the brigade which found the task .of arresting the fire hopeless. ! The fi re destroyed the manufacturing I, portion of the extensive block, and also the offices, the oulv buildings saved being a detached row of smaller buildings. The stocks destroyed included a , large quantity of soap and other inflammable material. The fire was still burning at 11 a.m. The factory was insured for CIO,OOO in New Zealand. Clo.ooo in Commercial Union and £2O- - in 1.0. A. The loss is not ascertainable.

HAWKE’S BAY SEAT. HASTINGS, Nov 1

Sir Andrew Russell (Independent Reform candidate for Hawke’s Ray), tfave his initial address to the electors at Hastings last night. The theatre was crowded. Explaining why lie was standing independently, he said he absolutely refused to place himself unreservedly in tlm hands of any party. In the event of imv issue arising of great importance to the Empire or Dominion. ho claimed freedom of action. Me believed reform could maintain the stability of the country, hut he thought either of the other two parties could not. lie would support reform on a no-confidence motion. The Speaker was accorded a vote of thanks. A meeting of Hastings branch of the

Labour Partv decided to request C. M. Chapman of Wellington to again stand as the official Labour candidate for Hawkes’ Bay.

Ml! MASTERS. STRATFORD, Nov. 1

Mr Robert Masters (Liberal and Labour candidate) addressed a crowded enthusiastic meeting in the Town Hull. Ifc trenchantly criticised the present administration, maintaining tic- Government bad outlived its usefulness, and the country’s welfare needed a change. A resolution of thanks and confidence in Mr Masters was carried.

LABOR PLATFORM. WELLINGTON. November I

The National Executive of the New Zealand Labour Party to-day issues a manifesto to the electors, as a declaration of the party’s legislative programme. The manifesto states that the new base towards which the Labour movement in all countries is

moving is that of social service. Labour members in Parliament had opposed wage reductions, the present immigratimi policy of the Government; encroachment on national endowment land; increases of customs duties on necessaries of life; and indentured Chinese in Samoa. The Labour Party favoured granting full political and civil rights to State employees. The manifesto sets out the main planks cf the party’s platform, including proportional representation, initiative and referendum, full political rights to women, opposition to further reductions in wages; provision for ineniployed, (right to work, standard wages) or failing provision of work, adequate maintenance; dealing with the housing shortage; a Stale Rank; State shipping; development of railways. highways and hydro-olocti ic power; free education in the widest possible sense-; adequate pensions for blind

and for widows; endowment of motherhood; free medical service; care of aged, young and the sick.