DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 October 1923, Page 1

DOMINION ITEMS.

[by TiILECKArn —PEIt PItESS ASSOCIATION.] SEAMEN’S DISPUTE. WELLINGTON, Oct. 24. After much fencing around the table oi the Conciliation Council during ihe discussion on Ihe seamen's disputes, tile parties came out into the open. Air T. Young, the Seamen's Union secretary, offered to accept the 1920 Agreement, if nothing better was forthcoming; but the .ship-owners rejected this proposal. They did so without hesitation. Atr Young had said that this Agreement would cost shipowners much less than they otherwise would find themselves liable for. Air Smith, the Employers’ representative said: “That’s nor argument. If the Union members defv the law and provisions ol an award.” Afr A’oung: “Oh, the law was made to he broken. AVhat is the law for I" To get fines and provide revcn'ue for the State!” Air Bennett: “If we have the 1920 Agreement thrust upon us now, under the conditions existing to-day, it would mean bankruptcy to the shipowners.” Air Aoung: “Oh, I’ve boon listening to that for 25 years! !' expect 1 shall go to my grave hearing it!” Air Rennet t: “Y ou never heard mo

say it before.” Air Clark: “No, because someone always got in first. Afr Aoung: "The 1920 agreement brought peace to everybody.” Air Smith: “I don’t I iumv a b,.,iii peace. | know ii brought loss lu the ship] ling com panics.” Air Young: “AA ell, you had youi eyes open. A hit of intelligent men you must have known what you wore doing.” Air lieuneti : “Ii was force of eirou instances.'’ Air Anderson (a .Seamen's representative): “I wish we’d known at the time.” I.M.MIGRATJON. WELLINGTON, Del. 21. Ihe question of immigration was touched on at a Farmers’ Union meeting. Air \\ . J. Poison, the President, said he was pleased to hear that the Immigration Commission had indicated that the group settlement scheme of Western Australia was very favourably regarded. That scheme, he said, could well he applied to New Zealand, especially in the northern part- of the country. Ihe banners’ Union was not

at all satisfied with the nomination system. The country, at times, was getting men who were a charge on the State from the day they arrived here. Junior immigration was touched on in a general discussion, some of the ■speakers saying that a splendid selection could he made at home. No satisfactory arrangement had been made with the visiting commission. Inn it was suggested that the Government should set aside a suitable area for the development of the group system. Regarding immigration, Hie Farmers’ Union reported:—“That this executive does not regard ihe existing nomination system as satisfactory, as it- is of little value in assisting land settlement, and adds to the unemployment in the towns.” It urges the Government to take full advantage of the Empire Settlement Act to set aside suitable areas of N.Z. waste lands for settlement under the group system. Jii this respect it is of opinion that facilities should also be granted to private enterprise, by encouraging syndicates to settle land under this system. Further. the Farmers’ Union offers the Government. the assistance of its whole or-

ganisation in carrying out an approved scheme. After discussion the report was adopted. FIRE IN FUR. STORE. DUNEDIN, Oct. 24. A tire occurred early this morning at R. S. Black’s fur store in the city, a two storey building. The top storey containing a large quantity of skins was badly damaged. The ground floor occupied by the ITayno Proprietary, was damaged by water. The damage totals several thousands. The skins were insured for .£(1500. TANYA FLAT DEVIATION. WELLINGTON, Oct. 24. A deputation of Wellington Al’sP. waited upon ihe Hon J. G. Coate? Alinister ol Public AA’orks) to-day 4? ask that. GiO.OIH) on the Estimates for 'he law a Flat deviation be expended :his financial year in commencing the work. The importance of improving this portion of the Alain Trunk system, by eliminating the haulage on the present heavy grade between AVelliugion and Tawa Flat was stressed.

The Alinister replied slating that he realised the import atiscc of the undertaking, but said that he favoured tabulating ilie various developmental railway undertakings in the Dominion in order of urgency and then decide which should he started and brought to completion. The trial surveys had been made on the route and the engineering survey was now to be made. DIET AT HOSPITAL. CIIR LSTCTIURCTf, Oct. 24. j At to-day's meeting of the North j (.anterbury Hospital Board, it was do- | eided to offer Miss Trood, at present j Chief Dietitian at Vancouver Hospital the position of Dietitian at the Christ church hospital at a salary of £l5O per annum, with board and lodging and travelling expenses to New Zealand. Dr Fenwick said the dietitian was a modprn thing. Tt was neeevary to lord the patients with food which would most quickly restore them to health. He stressed the fact that science had show n that proper dieting saved lives, and the Hoard should have a proper dietitian.