DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 May 1926, Page 1

DOMINION ITEMS.

[ilY TELEGRAPH—PER PRESS ASSOCIATION'J TIMBER INDUSTRY. HAMILTON, May 6. During; a discussion relative to tho position of the timber industry of New Zealand at the present time, Air J. Bush, Chairman of the .Main Trunk Timber Trade Protection Guild, speaking at a reception accorded by tho sawmillers to Air 11. AValder, of Hamilton. said, that he always held that sawmillers in order to do any good should be in an association. They were undoubtedly approaching trouble at some period. Not only did the conditions of industry in New Zealand point to that, but the financial position ol the country also indicated it. While importations of foreign timber "ere having a serious effect on the market, during the past six months, the industry had been faced with over importations. increased railway freights and a glutted market. This was a very grave position for the industry. He recognised the seriousness of the situation and tried to do Ids best to bold things together.

From inquiries made at the Head Oftiee of Ellis and Buruard. relative to the trouble with native owners at Bangapeelii. he learned that the position was not so serious as tho previous report in regard to the trouble at tho firm’s sawmill there was indicatod. The Company’s representative here stated what trouble there was "as confined to a very small section of native owners, ami was brought about by outside influence. The officials of the Company have visited Mangapoohi and notified flic disgruntled members of the tribes that any remedy lor their sup posed grievances must bo sought trrougli the proper constitutional channel, via the Native Court, which is sitting at To Kuiti on Friday. Afcnntime the sawmill at Afangapoehi is working as usual.

BANK NOTES. AVESdJNGTON. May 5. Soon the difference in the shade of banknotes of the same denomination, issued hy the different hanks, will be a tiling <,f the past. This was stated by Air Tl. AY. Lever, chairman of the Associated Banks to-dav.

The Chamber of Commerce in var ions parts of the Dominion linve expressed (bo views of Ibe business com munity on the subject, and thes< amount, to an objection to the eoiifus inn which is created by the present issue of notes.

“The business leommnniiy wanted the uniform size and now they have got it.” said .Mr T.ovcr. “It was decided by the conference to adopt Tho sine of the Union Bank of Australia tor future issues of banknotes, and at lhe same time to use (lie colours employed hi- the Bank of New South Aides, the oldest bank in .Australia and New Zealand. Thus the new 10s mites are yellow, pound notes numb oi black, Co notes blue, £lO red, and Sl > on, bul lb- trouble was that the .Printers in London used differentshades of ink. AVe have not adopted one printing firm, as each of us has, been employing a different printer. Tn our own ease. Rkiprer and East have been doing our work ever since T have been in the bank, a period of oft years But now instruction* have been sent home ior the London re-pi’e-entaiives of the hanks to confer, and future issues of notes .should he in the same colour.”

UNEMAN SHOCKED. (TIRiRTOnUROH. Mnv 7. Harold l.amli, married, a Council linesman, received a severe shock while working on overhead wires yesterday and was removed In the hospital unconscious. his condition being serious. SHEARERS AWARD. WELLINGTON. May V Ihe New Zeal.uni Shearers' Union Ims drawn up a demand for a Downward for shearers and shed hands, witli substantia! incren-cs in sheaieis' W ages. The following are the demands and Ihe pl'e-ellt rates : - - Hand -hearers -37 s (.id (now 2-V) per hundred with rations. Machine shearers—32s (id (go.-): -tml sheep, rale and a half; rains, ram -lag-, and double-fleeced sheep, double rates; merinos, the above rates plus 7s (id per hand and -As per machine, to lie allowed it i'alions are nut provided. Shell hands—Prossers by l lie week to (£ii 2s (id), hourly 2s 3d (Is 8d) ; cooks lor 12 men or under, £7 (£3 12s id) ; cooks’ assistants, £~> (£,');) where over 12 men. coolcs to receive 7s (id per week fur each extra man.

The present award leaves this extra allowance in agreement. In lieu of rations the shed hands are to receive £1 Ids. Now they get i‘l.

A. new claim is lor Is per hale extra for pres.seis requiring to do weighing, branding, and stacking. Working hours of II hours a week are asked lor shearers and shed hands. The present

award provides a twelve-hour day inclusive of meal times. Regarding rations, the demands claim the inclusion of jam. pickles, sauces. Iresii voge-

ables twice weekly, and two pounds of butter per week per man. Fares to

and from the nearest station or trails port are demanded.

WOMAN’S SUDDEN DEATH. INVERUARGII.Ii, .May ii. Airs Alabel Cameron, f>6 years of

ago, wifo of John Cameron, of Christ church, collapsed and died suddenly at Edcndale to-day. The deceased hat txien in ill-health for some time. Ai: inquest will not be necessary. PRISON ESCAPEE RECAPTURED TAUAIARUNUI. .May li. The prisoner who escaped from Waiiiune prison on Sunday afternoon, Charles Henry AYliitehad, had the unenviable experience of spending three nights in a howling storm without food and without covering, excepting a blanket. He was recaptured last night at TotukiinPa hy two prison officers. he (having gone to the pa for food. The prisoner appeared before Air AY. J. McAVnttcrs, J.P. at tlie Alagistrate’s Court, and was remanded to appear at Auckland on Monday.