DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 February 1925, Page 3

DOMINION ITEMS.

[by TELEGRAPH—-PER PRESS ASSOCIATION

DAIRY EXPORTS CONTROL. WELLINGTON. February 20

At a meeting of the New Zealand Dairy Produce Control Board, it was decided that the Board should establish absolute control of dairy produce for export, as from August 1, 1925, and that an application for the necessary Order-in-Council should he made forthwith. Under this form of ecuitrol the produce would he marketed in London through the usual channels, but would be under the control of the Beard. It. was further agreed that in working up to absolute control, the Board should, during the 1925-20 season, cooperate with the British importing houses as far as possible on a voluntary basis in the regulating of the shipments, the distribution of produce, the stimulating of publicity, and the arranging for the collection of information and generally promoting competitive effort. It has been arranged that Messrs W. C. Motion and W. A. Irons will he ti:-e Board’s representatives on the London agency. It is anticipated that they will leave for London in July or August next. ATHLETIC GATHERING PROSPECTS. WANGANUI, February 27. Alter a heavy shower overnight the weather is fine this morning and the prospects are bright for the N.Z. Amateur Aathletic Championship Meeting this afternoon. 'The track has benefited by the rain and is in good order. Many visitors have arrived and the attendance promises to he large.

METH () I) IST ( ()■-. M EREXCE. WELLINGTON, February 27

'The annual conference of the Methodist Church of New Zealand opened last night in the Taranaki Street Church with the induction of the President for 1925, the Rev. R. Richards, of New Plymouth. His subject for his inaugural address was; “The Living Christ, the Living Church, and Vital Christian Experience.”

'The Rev. P. X. Knight. 8.A., ol Pitt Street, Auckland, was elected President for 1926 and the Rev. 11. P. Mouraiit, of Wellington, was ejected Vice-President for 1926. 'Thu Rev. A. X. Scatter was elected secretary, hi> assistants being the Rev. M. A. Rugby Pratt, and the Rev. A. H. Fowlos. Other appointments were: Minutes Secretaries, Revs. J. I). McCarthy and R. I). Tinsley; Journal Secretaries, Revs W. W. Amory and F. E. Leadlcy; correspondence, Rev. W. G. Slade; Pro sentcr. Rev. W. 11. Haslem. SOCIETY OF ACCOUNTANTS. WELLINGTON, February 27. The first convention dinner in connection with the 'New Zealand Society of Accountants was held at the Empire Hotel last night. Mr W. E. Gist (President) presiding over a gathering olio hundred strong. Sir Francis Bell (Acting Prime Minister) occupied a seat ol honour it the President's light hand. [■ i proposing the toast ol the “New Zealand Society of Accountants”, Mi Robert Kennedy (president of the Wellington Law Society) said the society bad been objcited to as it was endeavouring to make accountancy a dosed profession. “But that that was not the case,” continued Mr'Kennedy, “in any undesirable sense was shown by the fact that during the past few years the society donated over £6260 in all for encouraging University education in regard to accountancy. It was, however, the duty of the Society to make accountancy a dosed profession against those wlm did not come with dean hands and a honourable record.” Mr Kennedy Imped the Society would always he suefesdul in preserving a very high standard of professional conduct amongst its members and in seeming for them an adequate reward lot the very valuable service they rendet ed to the community. Mr Lost, in responding, said he thought their profession was the only oi.e in the Dominion that had given direct grants to encourage ('Diversity education and lie hoped its interest in education would always continue. He was very proud of the fact that wildcat: when the society was first incorporated only 12 per cent of its members were cfualiiiod by examination no less than 60% of its members were now so qualified. That was a very great advance to make in the past sixteen veal's. £2600 FOR RESEARCH. WELLINGTON. Ft*. 27. Cabinet met yesterday and detulei to vote £2OOO as a first instalment towards research into inlantile paralysis

THE reform policy

NTT-RED FED

WELLINGTON, February 27

Discussing the policy of the Relorm Party at the next election. Hon. A. D. Me I. ecjd (Minister of Lands) states the party has nothing to hide in the matter. Every legitimate effort was being made to maintain a stable government. Tin! party believed this could best he attained by preventing the extreme Labour party reaching the treasury benches and as a result of this no reform support would go to any candidate who not only did not publicly ] ledge himself to vote against extreme labour on no-confidence motions, but also gave a public pledge to disassociate himself with any party prepared to accept extreme Labour s assistance within the House for the purpose of forming a Government. Continuing Air Al.ei.eud said the. Liberals (either as a party or as individual candidates) were apparently not able or willing to give these pledge? to to electors. The Reform Party was, and is. As a result, it probably would be found necessary to run a candidate prepared to give the above pledges in every electorate. PRICE OF BREAD. CHRISTCHURCH, Feb. 27. The Canterbury-Master Bakers have decided to increase, the price of the two-pound loaf to Old cask and id delivered.

ELECTION DATE. AUCKLAND, Feb. 27. A suggestion that an effort should be made "to hold the general election earlier in December than usual was contained in a communication to the Auckland Chamber of Commerce from n local retail firm. It was stated that the elections coining so near to Christmas were damaging to trade and caused much inconvenience to travellers throughout the Dominion. Members of the Chamber supported the letter and decided to refer it to the Associated Chamber of Commerce.

WELLINGTON HARBOUR. WELLINGTON, Feb. 27. The extent to which Wellington and its shippers and importers are penalised under the system of flat rate oversea freight, is emphasised in a report presented to the Harbour Board by a committee consisting of the Chairman (Mr G. Alitchell) and Air J. G. Harkness. It is pointed out that in the adjustment of these freights, no allowance is made for the fact that Wellington is the cheapest port in New Zealand. On the contrary, shippers at the part are taxed by a high flat rate on freight, both on imports and exports, to make up for the loss oil home ships travelling round our coast and picking up a few tons at each port. It is urged that the Foard should take every possible step

to bring about a change from the flat rate system. The Harbour Board adopted and authorised reductions of an estimated total amount of £20,000. According to the. Chairman approximately four-fifths of these reductions represent a concession to exporters and importers. RIFLE MEETING DATE. WELLINGTON, February 27. The National Rifle Association has received further advice from the Health Department that owing to the epidemic, permission cannot yet be granted for holding the championships meeting at Trentham. Arrangements are complete and entries are coming in free! y. and immediate notice will he given to competitors when the date is available. A CATSPAW FINED £lO. ASHBURTON, February 27. ■ Thomas McGrath, an Australian, was lined £lO for holding liquor for sale in a no-license district. The Magistrate observed that the accused was being used as a catspnw for other wellknown ‘residents. It was evideneeed that he had disposed of twenty bottles of whisky in three or four hours. HOLD UP AT LYTTELTON. CHRISTCHURCH, Feb. 27. Most of the boats at Lyttelton were idle to-day. Trouble was caused yesterday by the nieii refusing to load meat on the Port Auckland and refusing to work overtime on the Wingatui. As a result, the employers decided not to make any further call; for labour until a complete .settlement was- reached. WOOL SAr.U. CHRISTCHURCH, Feh. 27. The fourth wool sale of the season was held to-day when nine thousand bales were offered. Bidding was fairly brisk at reduced limits, but many passings were made. About a quarter of the second catalogue failed to change hands. The hulk of the lleece wool offered was half bred. CHRISTCHURCH, February 27. , At the wool sale, it is estimated that as compared with prices ruling at ; the previous Christchurch sale, the • prices are down about one penny per ] pound. In the case of merino the de- ; dine is more pronounced. • PEA RIFLE TRAGEDY. ' < DUNEDIN, Feh. 26. \ A distressing fatality occurred at c Deborah Bay this afternoon, when a ’ bov named Joseph Hugh f.'edgerwood, v tged 14 years, was fatally shot with a 1 pea ride. The unfortunate lad ayd his 1 brother aged 18,-were-playing with the ] rifle, which they did not know was

loaded. It. accidentally exploded, the bullet entering the younger’s hoy’s stomach. 'The injured hoy was conveyed to the Dunedin Hosoital by a launch, and an operation was p Tlormod in the hospital. lint it. was found that the bullet had entered a vital spot and the lad slice limbed. OLD -MAN DIES FROM BURNS. AUCKLAND. Fob. 26. An old age pensioner, James Willan sustained very severe hums as the result of a kerosene lamp upsetting in his where at Dairy Flat, near Albany last, night. Willan. who lias lived alone for some time, rushed out of the who re with his clothing'afire. Neighbours were attracted by the old man’s cries, and the (lames were soon extinguished. He was taken to Rirkinhead, and after wards to the hospital, where he died six hours after admission.