DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 October 1923, Page 1

DOMINION ITEMS.

[bv TELEGRAM PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] A GERMAN’S CLAIM. AUCKLAND. Oct. 16. . Ail air of almost international importance was assumed by a discussion which took place at the meeting of the Auckland University College Council yesterday, with regard to a claim made through the German Clearing Office by one Fritz Koheler against the Council for £3 IGs Od. It was stated that this amount was owing for scientific apparatus supplied to the college in 1912, but reasons for the non-payment of the hill prior to or since the war appeared to Ik> veiled in mystery. An invoice which was enclosed gave a list of halfa dozen articles of which was 590 marks plus interest at 5 per cent. iroin .March. 1914. as provided under the Treaty of Versailles. The covering letter further stated that unless the claim was admitted, the creditor had the right to submit the matter to the Anglo-German Mixed Arbitral Tribunal whose decision would be fixed and bind-

ing. It was decided that the matter lie left in the bauds of the president, with power to act. JUVENILE CRIME. AUCKLAND, Oct. 17. “Once again public attention is called to the regrettable increase of crime among young people," states the annual report of the. Discharged l’risoners’ Aid Society, which was submitted at a. meeting of the Society in Auckland to-day. "Most of tho newcomers to gaol are lads and young men,” continues the report, and reference is made to the Prisons Department statement that the increase o! admissions between the ages of fifteen and twenty-fivo years this year over last year is over 50 per cent., all of these being New Zealand born. "Doubtless,” it is stated in the report, "there are many causes of this increase. Lack ol home training and discipline, idleness, gambling, drinking, and the lessening restraints of Christian religion in both parents and children are some ol the principal causes. Probably the high rents charged for houses, often making it impossible for one family to have the house to themselves, has an indirect hearing on tho morals ol the hoys and girls. What olio calls ‘the danger period,’ another ‘the larrikin stage,’ begins at about 15 or 16 years of age. When boys leave day and Sunday school, guidance is needed, and outlets should he provided for newlydiscovered energies.” THE MINING TROUBLE. WELLINGTON, Oct. 13. Messrs Mcßride and Bahlerstoiio, the West Coast miners’ delegates, had a formal talk with the coal owners’ re prexenlative; the Hon. Mr Anderson (Minister of Mines), and Mr Peter I 1 raser, M.P., to-day on the eoal lockout position.

Xo progress was made, hut a further talk takes place to-morrow. ’Flu* miners’ delegates addressed meetings of the Drivers’ and Dairy Workers’ Union at Wellington to-night. A donation from their funds was made, and committees were set tip lc collect contributions weekly. The sentiments of the members are wholly with the miners The Alliance of Labour were also addressed to-day, and the Alliance went into committee to discuss ways and means of rendering support lor the men locked out. MINISTER lAL STATEMENT. CHRISTCHURCH, Oct. 19. The lion Mr Xosworthy and Sir llRhodes were among rite speakers at luncheon at the Ellesmere A. and P. Show to-day. On the question of ReI'oiice, Sir 11. Rhodes said he was making every effort to render military service as easy as possible, substituting continuous training, instead of half-day parades, which had been loiitul irksome bv some. The day ol peace had mil yet dawned, lie said, and it. was essential lo make some provision against attack, ami not to rely altogether on the Navy. He was looking to the Imperial Conference in London io gain some idea ol what our defence police of the future should he—how much should he loft to the navy, and how much to (he air service. A BOY KILLED. WATROA. • October 18. A hoy aged seven, the son if (■- I'. Jardin. a well-known forme., was thrown from a horse this aftemorn liejurr dragged along the road, and was killed.