DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 May 1925, Page 1

DOMINION ITEMS.

BY TELEGRAPH—PUE3S ASSN., COPYEJGHI. HOSPITAL DEES. WELLINGTON, April 21. ‘'Smne people have the notion that they need not pay hospital fees,” said the ehainnan of the ILspital Hoard yesterday. ‘‘ls there tiny propaganda work going on on that account? I don't think ,-n, hut if it lias gone on in He past, it may lane some hearing on the fact that; certain ] eople htink they need not pay because others have not paid. I think there is greater evasion in paying hospital fees in Wellinton than in other centres, and it is not to their credit. ’’ d’lic discussion arose on remarks of Mr A. K. Hornblow, wlw> urged that the collection of fees should lie done by the head office, as was the ease in other large districts. It was pointed out that the fees were collected hv the head office, the only outside collection being in tlio.se eases where pressure had had to be brought to bear. Reference was also made to the fact that a greater proportion of foes was collected in Auckland and Christchurch. although it. was recognised that the amount collected had increased owing to the excellent, work of the special committee. It was this fact-wliieh led tn the remarks quoted by the chairman. SOLTI 1 ISLAND HIGHWAYS. DUNEDIN, April 29. Mr E. W. Enrkerl, chairman of the Highways Hoard, says that as an indication of lunv little justification iliere is for Smith Island ei im plain t.regariling the Highways Board not being sufficiently sympathetic to the South Island, in the last highway estimates the South Island was given practically everything asked lor. hut the .North I-lalld was pruned drastically. The North Island hail submitter proposals lor -CHS. OOP and the Smith Island only for £-12,000. In addition the North Island had submitter provisional proposals for the cuming year of CI.'iO.OOO and the South Island nil. The re veil ue received from motors in the North Island was well over fit) per

tint, above the South Island. It the mileage of the highways were adjusted in ni'iiport ion In the her of motor vehicles il! the te-peitive islands, the South Island would have three hundred and fifty miles less highway than il ha-. There were several hundred thousands ot pounds available lor the Smith Island locked up heeau-e il had mil been applied for.

COLD STANDARD. WELLINGTON, April 29. The Acting Minister of Finance (the Hmi Sir Francis Belli staled to-day Hint the Dominions had been eimsullcd bv (he British Government regarding (he prohlhilnm of gold expert. He understood from the Chancellor of the Exchequer, that the embargo on the export of gold would cease to have elf,-I-I at the end of ihe present, year in Hie United Kingdom, the Act which authorised the proihition being allowed to lapse. "New /..•aland," -aid Sir Iranei-. "will retain the power to prohibit, but will freely lievm-e the export of gold. The New /•■aland Act provides Had there shall he no expoH without the license of the Mini-lev. Tim license will be given. Iml We will retain the |. ■C t" prohibit The granting <>f licenses lo export eulil did not mean Hud sovereigns Would come into use rigid away. ns hank notes Mere still legal lender, the authority for that purpose being contained in another Act. A BY-LAW attacked. AUCKLAND. April 20. \ 111,,1i0n has been tiled in the Supreme four; asking that the by-law. prohibiting motor 'buses from playing ill Queen St. should lie deelared nil ra vires, on the grounds Hud ii. is unreasonable, partial anil unequal in its operation, is oppressive, discloses bad faith, ami is in resi mint of trade.

\I!MY PUNISHMENT. WELLINGTON. April tut. What is known as “No I Eiebl Punishment." which authorised the tying ~f defaulters in (bo Army to a gun or wagon win el. Im- L ei, abolished -im e Ai a rel i last year, when all the rules were revised and modified. X.z. MINERS. WELLINGTON. April 30. The movement among the coalminers ~f the Dominion against tile Arbitration Act appears to be growing. It is believed tluu the new organisation known as the United Coal Mine AVork,.,.s „f New Zealand. is gaining slivnglh. Some time ago till the > nj, ms ell the West Coast cancelled their redstratiou under Hie Arbitration Act. and formed <he West Coast Distrim Council, which is now registered under the Act- . Of (he five . natmincr.s unions m tnr North 1.-laud. the Ilikurangi. Glen Aft on and Tannin unions have nolmed their intention of eaneetiiliu Uicir regiCARGO yKRA fCE FOR S. ISLAND. DUNEDIN. April 00. T „ iv< p,to Hie agitation of Smith X-hind importers, a new ilireet. eaigo service to South island ports will be inaugurated next, month, when t! ■ -(earners of the V. find D. New />" land Shilling Co., and the Shaw Savill and Albion Lino will make regnl.n rails at Dunedin. Lyttelton and Timnru.