DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 June 1925, Page 3

DOMINION ITEMS.

1 by TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSN., COPYRIGHT

FUSION ISSUE. WELLINGTON, June 24. With a realisation that indications are increasing that the fusion proposals are not acceptable to the Reform rank and file, the Wellington “Post ” recapitulates its advantages. It declares that Reformers have been tepid, if not chilly, in their treatment of the question. A similar attitude on the part of the Liberals might have closed the door to hope by preventing negotiations of any kind. Ihe “Post goes oil to suggest that the Prime Minister has colleagues and parliamentary followers. and it is natural that both colleagues and followers value the vested interest they have acquired under the present system and that the weaker of them shrink from the sacrifice of those interests which fusion would involve. " Are these weak brethren to he allowed to .govern the .position and to defy the public interest and wreck the whole party by ‘standing pat’?” it asks. "Of course, they do not openly say that they are opposed to fusion. That would lie too audacious. The most that one hears is an opposition to immediate fusion, coupled with approval of fusion after the elections, if it then appears advisable. The plain English of this is that in order to maintain their own position in the Cabinet or iu Parliament some Reformers are prepared to submit the interests of the country to the incalculable chances of another triangular gamble, in order that their personal interests may not suffer, and to trust to luck for reconciliation of these conflicting interests

afterwards. Air Coates will do well to put his foot on these influences as firmly and as promptly as possible, and to let the public know he has done so.” CAUCUS .MEETINGS. WELLINGTON. June 2(1. The Reform Party met iu Caucus at 7..T0 to-night. At inid-night, the Prime Alinister stated that Ihe question of a fusion with the Liberals had been discussed iu detail, and it was decided In appoint the former delegates from the Liberal Party for the purpose of meeting tin* Rclorm Party. The Liberal Cancans also met at 7.H0. It is still sitting. NO DECISION YEP. WELLINGTON, dune 27. Both the Reform and Liberal Parlies met last night to discuss the question of fusion. After several hours deliberations mi definite decision was arrived at, lint the delegates of the respective parties were empowered to meet and exchange the views of their parties and confer further, if desirable. FLORA'S TERRIBLE P REDICAMENT.

AUCKLAND, June 2(1

If. was thought when the Flora reached the shelter of Mereur.v Island that she was safe at least from the

elements, and that temporary rvpaiis would be elfeclcd with some sense, of security. This hour was rather shortlived for alter three hours the wind ucide a disi|iiii*ling change and it commenced to blow in force even gieatei than ill the northerly previously endured. By three o'clock the vessel’s security was threatened, but ioiTuuately, all was ready down below for the venture hack to port.

When the anchor came mi the ship had to light a way out of the hay when she was again in the thick ot the

Prior to this, tho Richardson steumAwhou. which was sheltering in the hay. and the Alaku. which arrived later, had cleared out, though a scow remained with every prosnoot of being driven on the beach or out in the gale

If was realized that with a change ill the wind the sea had been beaten with even greater tury. lint there was now a measure of security ill the even.

if slow, running of the engines. There was another trying run up to the Cane made all the more so by a halt to effect repairs to one of the cylinders.

The Cape was rounded and about one o’clock the Flora was reported from Tiri lighthouse. She eventually dropped anchor in the harbour at 3.55 this morning. THE BOATS GOT READY. AUCKLAND, June 2(5. During the Flora's drill and trip hack to port Die firemen kept tlleir usual watches and the engineers were en duty all the time, as on the engines alone the safety of the vessel depended. The trouble was due to a pin in tin? shaft being loose. It slipped out gradually citching on the piston, thus interfering with the whole engine. While the storm raged an engineer kept knocking in the projecting portions of the pin as they appeared. This was responsible lor the spasmodic working of the engine. " We had a devil of a time down below.” said one of the engine-room staff, “ hut we took tilings calmly. Steam was kept up all the time and the engineers have been going strong ever since the trouble began.”

Captain Gray says: “Soon after midnight the Flora’s plight heeame serious. Although she was riding tho seas well she was perilously near the coast and all too surely was in danger cf being wrecked before daylight. A) e reached a position about one mile east* Cane Colville in an attempt to weather it. which was impossible. Al daylight we battled towards Cuvier again

and decided to run before the storm for Great .Mercury. The engines wore working occasionally and with the gale behind her better progress was made to the sheltered position of West Bay. When the vessel’s plight became so serious at midnight, as was previously mentioned, all hands, excepting the engineering stall were ordered to stand by the limits which were provisioned ami prepared for launching. Some of the crew actually put on litehelts. It. was nitch black with a hurricane wind blowing and heavy rain tailing and it is doubtful if the ship’s boats could have survived had they been launched.

TEAROOMS PROPRIETOR FINED

CHRISTCHURCH. June 26

The Magistrate this morning fined Hugh O’Connor, proprietor of the Grand Tea Rooms, Ids for failing to comply with the health regulations regarding the cleanliness of the kitchen. CREDITORS’ LEAGUE SUED. GISBORNE. Juno ‘26. An Interesting action relating to the operations of an Association known as the Associated Creditors’ League, heard liefore Mr bevvy, S.M.. when Mrs F. Clarke, of Gisborne, proceeded against the Associated Creditors’ League, of Auckland, for 260 for i alleged unfair blacklisting. The statement of claim said the defendants circulated among business firms a statement that plaintiff was indebted to persons unnamed for debentures. plaintitf’s credit being thereby injured. Plaintiff asserted she was not indebted to anyone for debentures. She had disputed a claim made by a dentist in connection with the extraction of teeth and this means had been taken of forcing her to pay. Eor the defence, Air Kirk said the

contest was between plaintiff and Catto. He did not think anything had been brought out against the League. which had advice to the effect that the system was within the law. Catto would sav the agreement was signed prior to the extraction. All tho list showed was that plaintiff owed a debt to Catto, and the T-eaguc offered the debt for sale. Eight lists were sent to Catto, and seven were still in his possession. He contended it was not defamatory to make a statement imputing that a person had debts.

C’atto gave evidence on the lines of Counsel’s address. 1 In tho course of his judgent. the Afagistrate said no doubt the list was published with several intentions, including the harrassing of creditors, after several straightout threatening letters indicating the names had to he black-listed, so as to let people who read tho list know the debtors were people to he warned against. He held that the words were defamatory, and the claim for tlaimiges was not unionKonablc. and judgment for £SO and costs would not unduly compensate the plaintiff. Jugdment was entered accordingly.