DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 April 1926, Page 1

DOMINION ITEMS.

[by TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] COMMITTED FOE TRIAL ELTHAM, April 13. Frederick Gear, aged 23, a labourer, married, with three; of a family, pleaded guilty to a charge of breaking and entering a house on Mountain Road on the afternoon of March 29th. Gear was committed to Wellington for sentence. The accused was surprised by the return of the owner and scrambled out of the window and ran away. Nothing was missed from the house. The accused had previous convictions against him for theft when he was granted probation. CRICKET MTX-UP. WELLINGTON, April 12. To have allowed another man to use his name and be placed in a somewhat embarrassing position as a result, was the unpleasant experience of a cricketer, Mr Dempster, who was called before, the Wellington Cricket Association to-night to explain why Ihe I'nranaki Association had received a teller over Mr Dempster's signature respecting a cricket match at Christinas time. Mr Dempster had arranged in take a team to Taranaki to play a mulch. Upon finding that the Cricket Association had two matches scheduled at Christchurch during the holidays, Die Taranaki match had to be postponed. Mr Dempster gave instruct ions Dial this information should be conveyed to Taranaki. The writer exceeded bis instructions and Mr Dempster offered in reimburse Taranaki. The matter was held over. TRADE THROUGH R.O. WEST COAST SINGLED OUT. WELLINGTON. April 13. Sir .Tames Parr, in his capacity as Postmaster-General, was interviewed to-day by representatives of the retail traders and the agents of British manufacturers. who placed before liini details of what they consider is unfair competition that they are up against. I bey stated Unit, under an agreement come to at the intenuiiional Postal Congress anyone in New Zealand could order from Home or foreign houses goods which be could have consigned to him through the Post. Office, the Postal ulliccrs thus acting as agents for the consigner and getting from the buyer tbe price of tile goods, plus a small commission for the services rendered bv the Post Office.

The deputation alleged that this was unfair competition, and, further, that there, was no guarantee of the statement in regard to the place of origin. It, was possible, they said, that goods of cheap foreign manufacture were thus

enabled to bo brought into the Dominion in unfair competition with British manufacturers. ’The system, they said, was a blow to the country storekeeper. The .Minister, with figures Iroin the Post Office before him, remarked upon Die decided increase in this method of trade within the last lew months. It was an interesting fact, too, that the West Coast of the .South Island. It mainly was with Greymouth and Westport", lie said. The Minister said this matter could not, however, be altered until the next Postal C. oulerelice met. in the meantime, Sir James added, he would look into the matter, amt would leave a uremoruadum tor the ineomi ng Post master-! leiieral. practically hall of this trade was with THE RAILWAYS. AUCKLAND, April 13. Mr Coates, at Kingsolere to-night, stated the approximate results ol the first complete year’s working under the new railway financing system are now available. 'The. railway operating revenue fas increased by about C 703.00!- The passenger receipts increased by about £24.(JL*J. Ibe goods receipts increased by £-lUo.hhO. ami miseellaseous by £3O,COIL t be updating expenses increased by about £00,030. due. principally l« the provision of reserves for renewal and equalisation funds (£28t),0b!)) and to the additional amount contributed to the superannuation limit, £OO,OOO (tormerly paid out of the consolidated revenue). Thu balance of increase (£303,000) is due almost entirely to the provision of faster and more frequent trains,

ami to the improved additional trausport facilities now rendered by the Department. Tlie rate ol interest payable mi the capital has been advanced from A] lo ■l.r per cent, in the case ol moneys provided out of the public works fund and from other im-cellam-mis sources; and £3 3s !)d per cent, in rite case of loan moneys raised specifically lor railway improvement. The position now is that Hie iaJways are paying interest oil the total capital investment on open lines. At the average rate payable in respeet nl loans raised wholly lor railwac (imposes, the additional interest burden Ts £2(15,00t) per annum. It is anlicipated that, alter paying all expenses, providing adequate reserves, and meeting interest charges, a small surplus will be shown on the year’s working. “NEW ZEALAND HOUSE.” WELLINGTON, April 13. The cost of the buildings purchased by the New Zealand Government from tiie British Medical Association to become the New Zealand House in lamdon. wax £157.001), and not £200,0G0 as lias been stated in a recent cablegram. This was staled by the Prime Minister. Mr Coates, to-day. lie added that verv little alteration would he required in the building as it stood, it being quite suitable for its purpose. \ / W ORSHIPS AT DUNEDIN. DUNEDIN, April 13. Bluejackets from 11.M.5. “Dunedin and "Diomede” performed a route march this morning, and later a civic reception was accorded Commodore Real, Captain Ritchie (who is an old Dunedin boy), and the officers ol both vessels. The Mayor expressed the deep regret felt at the approaching departure of Commodore Beal. Ihe Commodore. in reply, stressed the importance of having two cruisers in these waters, particularly from the viewpoint of affording a spirit of emulation.