DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 September 1923, Page 3

DOMINION ITEMS.

[by TELEGRAPH—PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

LABOUR M.P. CHRISTCHURCH, Sept. 12. Mr IL T. Armstrong, M.P.. delivered a post-sessional address to-nirdit. lie said that the attitude of tho Liberals showed that Party to have deteriorated into nothing more or loss than a .sham and a humbug. It was, to all intents and purposes, the samo Party as that led by Mr Massey. It was quite on tbe cards that there would la* a general election next year. If s". the Labour Parly would be prepared for it, as they would send out no fewer than seventeen organisers to tour the Dominion. HOTEL WORKERS. WELLINGTON. Kept. 12. The Hotel and Restaurant Workers’ claims were, bcfolre the Arbitration Court to-day. The President of the Court indicated that no Award would be given until evidence was taken at other parts of the Dominion. A conference lias been suggested, in order to establish a basis for a possible Dominion Award. It is stated. The claims of the employees tire different from the present Award, and from the employers’ counter claim, in two respects. H is asked that a week's work should not exceed J 8 hours, in order that, it might be made quite clear that ti'e employment was weekly. It is also asked that the interval between work should be twelve, instead of ten hours, as at present. There was a long discussion, and witnesses were called. A conference v. iti now bo held.

MORE “TOTE ” PERMITS WANTED WELLINGTON. Sep. 12.

Speaking at the annual meeting of the Wellington Trotting Club, the president. Mr R. A. Armstrong, said that the failure to provide increased permits was due entirely to the late stage at which tbe (laming Bill was introduced. There was an overwhelming majority of members of Parliament in favour of granting a. reasonable increase Io the clubs of New Zealand. Relief in this respect, therefore, could not be long delayed. If steps wore taken to hare the Bill dealt with early in the next session, and sufficient time were given to it. there was not tbe slightest doubt about the result. The people of New Zealand would not fail to notice that a handful of “ killjoys.” who bad been using all tbe forms of I he House to block tbe passage of the Bill, were those who were always prating about democracy and the right of the majority to decide all questions. On this question they were seizing every opportunity provided by parliamentary procedure to prevent tbe great body of their fellow members recording what they well knew io be a tremendous majority in favour ol increased permits. If this position continued, it was obvious that tbe sport-loving people ol tlm Dominion would lie compelled to take more active steps politically to protect themselves.