DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 April 1924, Page 1

DOMINION ITEMS.

BY TELKGItAI’II—PRESS ASSN., COPYRIGHT. PRICE OF CHOCOLATES. DUNEDIN, April I. Several city confectioners reported to-day that, in consequence of the reduction in certain lines of chocolates manufactured by Dominion firms, the demand had increased in many instances by over 100 per cent. Tablets of nut milk chocolate, which were now selling at half their former price, were evidently being rushed by sweet addicts, and one shopkeeper stated, that he was finding it hard to obtain sufficient stock to cope with his customers’ newly-acquired taste for this particular delicacy. THE CLOTHING TRADE. WELLINGTON, April 1

The question of the sale of the “fac-tory-made” suit was discussed bv a deputation representing the Master Tailors and the Wellington Tailors’ Union, which waited oil the Minister of Labour to-day. It was stated that there were two tailoring systems, factory and bespoke. Tile trouble to be contended with was that a number of mercers and factories used the terms “made to order,’? “made to measuer,” and “handmade,” in their advertisements. There was a great amount of deception in advertising in that way. The tailoring trade desired a distinctive label on the garments.

Mr Anderson said the whole matter boiled down was that the Master Tailors and the Union desired that the customer should get what lie paid for. If it were decided to bring in legislation on the subject, those interested would be consulted before it was drafted. DOMINION FINANCE. CHRISTCHURCH, April 2. "I think the record of last years finances will lie very interesting, unit not unsatisfactory to the people of this country,” said Mr Massey, after informing a deputation to-day that be Imped the Financial Statement would he brought down soon alter Parliament met.

“I wish we could keep on the same lines for the next ten years,” he continued. “You will lie able to judge that for Yourselves. So far as the expenditure of public money is concerned, we have been expending hair n million on public works, and development Inis to go on. You will see, when you get the Public ‘Works statement that all public works have not been paid out of ordinary loans. It would not be wise to go beyond the expenditure of half a million on public works. Wo can stand that. I think that development i.s very satisfactory. You will get our exports in a few days. If we are not up to £50,000,000 in exports this time, wo will he very little short of it. It is a tremendous thing even allowing for the increase in the price of wool to produce, export and turn into cash that amount of wool, mutton, butter and choose. As long a * we can do that, well, our debt won’t trouble u.s very much. In connection with the debt, I don’t know what 1 am going to be aide to do. I recommended a reduction in taxation last year . I hope to see my way to recommend Parliament- to make further reductions, for I know no country can prosper under an unnecessarily heavy load of tuxa-

GISBORNE MURDER

WELLINGTON, April 2

A special meeting of the Cabinet was held to consider the Gisborne murder case. Sir Francis Bell (Attorney General) presided in the absence of the Prime Minister, who is away in tho South Island.

The decision arrived at cannot, however. he made known until His Excellency the Governor-General is consulted. The matter was dealt with by tho Executive Council. HERBALIST IN COURT. OAMARU, April 2. An interesting case was heard in the Magistrate’s Court to-day, when Robert Agnew Thompson, practising as herbalist, was charged with keeping open a shop for retailing poison, not being a registered vendor. Evidi nee was given by several witnesses that they had gone to Thompson’s shop for a “pick-me-up,” and had afterwards became seriously ill. Some of them had consulted doctors, and been sent to the hospital. Meidoal evidence was led to the effect that the men who received the “pick-me-up” suffered from atrophinc poisoning. It was suspected that a certain mixture contained belladonna. After hearing evidence, the Magistrate adjourned the ease for fourteen (lavs to enable an analysis to be made of two mixtures named in evidence.

FIRE AT NELSON. NELSON, April 2. A large one-storey building at Motneka, occupied l>v Kelly and Calder, builders; S. Mather, electrician; and ,P. B. Morris, Chemist, was totally destroyed by fire last night. The insurances are hot large and the losses will lie considerable.

COOKS’ AND STEWARDS’ CASH

WELLINGTON. April 2. Further argument was heard before tho Arbitration Court to-day in the cooks and steward’s case, which commenced at the last sitting of the Court. Afr Kennedy, for the Union, said he was asking that the wages of stewards be fixed without any consideration of tips. They were entitled to a wage that would assure them a fair standard of living, and should not Is? left to chance as to what they could snatch front the travelling public. The proposal for an eight-hour day was quite reasonable. The justice of the claim oF the hotel-workers had been seen by Air Justice Stringer, and it was fair and reasonable that the stewards should receive the same consideration. There should also be an increase m the shore pay. as stewards were entrusted with important work. He objected to the proposal that the men should submit to a medical examination before being employed.

AIOTOR CA'CT.E AND CAR COLLIDE. GORE,'April 3. Ivan Bovd Todd, aged 33, single, crashed a motor car when riding a motor cvcle at Croydon last evening. He was ‘ thrown violently. Todd was. brought to the Gore Hospital, suffering concussion, he being in a serious condition. v ■ w- N■"