DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 March 1925, Page 4

DOMINION ITEMS.

[by TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION. SWEDISH BETTER-BOX ES. STATEMENT BY CHAIRMAN OF HOARD. WELLINGTON, March 21. Regarding the use of Swedish butterboxes, the chairman of the iHtiry Produce Control Hoard makes the following statement: ‘‘Contrary to .statements made and opinions expressed in | some quarters, the Dairy Produce Hoard is not responsible for the imp.illation of Swedish boxes. The overseas delegation, when in Loudon, received a cable from the Hoard asking it to investigate the position as to the price ami probable extent of the supply. Thinking this information itself would he of no immediately practical value to the industry, the delegates made arrangements with one of the largest mills for the Hoard to have the disposition of their agency in Now Zealand If the Hoard thought it <lesirahle that any action should he taken., The delegation fully understood that it was outside the scope of the Hoard’s charter to arrange fur importation. When the matter came before the Hoard, it was found that the dairy 1 associations and private enterprises Mere energetically canvassing the dairy I companies regarding Swedish boxes, the agencies for which they had taken up. The Hoard therefore concluded that it Mas unnecessary to do anything regarding the establishment of a further agency, and notified the Swedish company concerned to this effect. Tho conclusions drawn between Swedish boxes and Australian butter prices are amusing in view of the fact that up to the present only small quantities have been used by a few companies for experimental purposes. The official report regarding their suitability is that no odour or taint could bo detected in the butter after it had been stored in the manner usual with our export produce. The dairy companies will themselves judge the relative advantages and disadvantages attendant upon their use.”

GI'SRORNE WATER FRO XT. GISBORNE, March 24. Conditions regarding the unloading of the steamer Karori are the same today as yesterday, only one double gang working. MAIN HIGHWAYS BOARD. WELLINGTON, March 23. At the Highways Board meeting, the principal question dealt with was that of the closing of toll gates in Taranaki. There has, been a considerable agitation for the closing of these gates more particularly by motorists, since the passing of the Motor Vehicles Act and Public Works Amendment Act, 1884.

The board decided to agree to the the request of countries having toll : gates to pay half the interset and sinking fund on the loans raised for the purpose of improving roads affected by the gates, and, "subject to Government ratification, the whole of the gates will be closed on -March 31. The board has issued instructions to District Highway Councils for the preparation of annual estimates, and also for the annual review of .main highways. The annual review will be made by the .board at the next meeting, which will he held on April Hi. ! A circular issued last month by the board to local authorities regarding laxity in submitting claims for payment of the hoard’s share of maintenance has had the result of an increase Til the board’s expenditure, but author-

isations are still considerably in,excess of disbursements, although an improvement is hoped for by the end of the financial year. Representations from various sources have been made to the board for an increase in the proportion of maintenance subsidy payable by it. The majority of the requests have been for payment of maintenance subsidies according to the proportion of foreign trallic, but determining tile amount of lorcigii 1 radio throughout the year i; a most difficult matter, and, in am ease, funds available to the hoard would not meet payments on his basis The board, however, is recommending to the Government an amendment to the Main Highways Act giving it additional discretionary powers in this direction.