DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 July 1924, Page 3

DOMINION ITEMS.

[nr teleqrafii—rru i-uf.ss association,

SUGAR WORKS CLOSING. AUCKLAND. July 22

Tho possibility of closing tlie Colonial Sugar Refining Company’s works at Chelsea are viewed with concern by the Auckland Industrial Association, which at a special meeting resolved unanimously that the attention of Parliament he drawn to the serious position that would arise should the Company find itself unable to continue refilling sugar in New Zealand, through the removal of the present customs duty on refined sugar. The resolution points out the probable future intermittciicy of supplies, which iire now available regularly, would greatly embarrass New Zealand manufacturers using sugar, and probably cause an increase in the cost ot their products to the public. Also, that some 370 workmen would he deprived of employment.

DOMINION FARMERS’ CON-

fkrence. GOVERNOR-GENERAL ON N’./.’s PROG R ESS. WELLINGTON, July -2. 'The Governor-General, at the opening of the annual Conference of the Dominion Farmers’ Union to-day. paid a tribute to the memory ol the late Sir Walter Buchanan, who. ho said, was one of whom the Dominion should he proud as well it might, for he had in him all those qualities so typical of the early pioneers who had made New Zealand what it was to-day. His Excellency said that one thing which had struck him most during Ins time in New Zealand, had been the progress of tho Dominions, and it was quite natural that anyone who loved New Zealand as he did, should feel the intense pleasure to think that the Dominion was going ahead. Lord .leilime was very much struck l>v the progress made during the ten years preceding 1-923. 'The figures showed that there had been very remarkable progress; indeed, trade had increased hv S 3 (per cent, and last year was a record in that respect. Exports had increased hy 98 per cent., frozen meat in volume 37 per cent, wool hy 71 pel cent, butter in volume 196 per cent, and cheese 101 per cent, while tho population had increased 20 r i, r * , swamp areas reclaimed had increased during those ten years bv 1.4 polHis Excellency alluded to the dnlt of the population to the towns and ieniarked that it could he. no question that the country was the much healthier. and a better place to live in. and bring up a family. In regard to inducing immigrants of the right stamp tu come to New Zealand he gave them his assurance that on his return to .England he would do all he could for the Dominion. . Reference was made by. his l-.xcei-lencv to the opening of Flock House for the sons of members of the Navy and. Mercantile Marine who had hist their lives during the war. He spoke in terms of the highest praise ol tlie arrangements made at Flock House, suul promised that he would gne n» assurance to the mothers and guardians of the youths entitled to iho benefits of tho institution that they would Ik- well eared for. When he left New Zealand he would leave behind him a great part of his heart as also would liis family. , , ... Lord Jellieoo concluded hy wishing tlmse present gooilbye ami (rotlspeoil. TWO MONTHS’ HARD.

CH RISTCHURCH. July 22

William McDonald, a wood hawker, was charged with disobedience of a maintenance order this morning and sentenced to two months imprisonment without the option. '1 he Magistrate said the accused was £2.it) in arrears and was of no use to his lauiily. TRAINS BLOCKED. TE AWAMUTU, July 22. The breaking of the azle of an eight ton coal waggon near Lake Road flag station last night, resulted in a holdnil of the Main Trunk express for several bouts. The coal uaggon was pan of a train proceeding just ahead !,f the south-bound express, and tlie trouble occurred in a deep cutting and on a sharp bend. Relief gangs quickly assembled, but the work was hampered greatly because of the position the train aas in. The south hound express and also the special immigrants express were held up at Oliaupo and the not th hound express was held at To Kiiwu. Meanwhile several goods trains were blocked in the siding at "To. Awn unit u so that when eventually the main line was cleared, some trouble was experienced in getting the expresses clear tut the main line. It was u,ot until 6 a.m. that the congestion was relieved and the main line open again for regular traffic. Tt was ~ lijtterly cold night, snow appearing on Pirottgia Mountain to the lowest icvel seen this winter.