DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 March 1924, Page 1

DOMINION ITEMS.

BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSN., COPYRIGHT. STORM AT NELSON. NELSON, March 10. The gathering of the hop and apple crops lias been delayed by stormy weather. Strong wind brought down a considerable number of apples, also damaging hops to some extent. Mail cars through Appleby have been delayed by the swollen river. The downpour caused minor damage in various parts of the town. From Saturday to nine o’clock to-day 4.67 inches of rain fell. TRADE PROSPECTS. WELLINGTON, March 11 At the Commercial Travellers’ Conference, .Mr Massey said he was something of a commercial traveller himself, as ho had several times been round the world endeavouring to persuade customers and prospective customers that the Dominion produced the best food stuffs and raw materials in the world. This they had to advertise as it was a source of their prosperity.

Wool prices anil the efforts put forward by dairy farmers, had, however, carried the country over, and lie hoped soon to he able to announce a surplus, not perhaps large but one that should satisfy the country. The outlook was very satisfactory except perhaps in one respect, and be thought he should mention that Britain was their market; not the onI;.' 1 ;.' market, but the best one. Unfortunately, Britain was loss prosperous than niiv one of flic Dominions, while New Zealand was the most prosperous of the lot. Britain was not improving tn prosperity, and he could see no immediate hope of improvement. I his lack of prosperity was hound to be felt in New Zealand sooner or later lie hoped England would look at the position from the Empire point of view. Even the present Government could do that. Britain had lost her industrial supremacy, and whether il could bo recovered they bad to wait and see. THE LIQUOR BULLS. VKI.LT-VCTOX, March 11 Tlio Licensing Question was belore annual conference of the Uomniercial Travellers. The following resolution was proposed: “That the Prime Minister bring down legislation with reference to the representations of the special Parliamentary Committee on the Licensing Act.” Mr M. A. Carr (Wellington), who moved the resolution, said the country was suffering from the want of accommodation. Many people who would visit New Zealand to view its scenic beauties, were prevented by the inadequacy of accommodation, which was worse than it was even 20 years ago. The trouble was the triennial Licensing Poll, lie believed a longer tenure'' would do good- Reform. not abolition, was what was urgently needed. The resolution was generally approved of, and was carried unanimously. traffic- MANAGERS - NEW RAILWAY HEAP'S. .WELLINGTON. March 11. Ron. ,1. G. Coates, .Minister of Railvl a vs, stated to-day. that, as a result of the resignation ot .Mr .). 13. Mitchell. [■>..(, ht Tin Hie .Manager for Railways. ( hri-trhur.ih. the billowing appointi,lent;;; find been made by His Fxccllenthe Governor-Gene! a! : District Traffic Manager*:--(Ktakune Mr. John Cameron. (’hristchnrvh—Air Uerbetf ( hapmau. Wanganui Air J. G. Riekerby. Dunedin.- Air 11. P. Me l. Wellington. Mr IL W. Males. Mr Coates stated that the only remaining' District Traffic Managers position to be filled Wits at Invercargill, and a re: ommendation had gone iorurii tn Mis Excellency llib Govcnnir- (,, ie‘!-;i! in connection " ith that posi-