DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 May 1926, Page 4

DOMINION ITEMS.

[pY TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

“HOME BREAV.”

FIVE MEN FINED AT WAIHI

AYAIIH, May 8. 1

Hearing of the sly grog ase in connection with a recent raid by the police on the premiess of residents suspected of trafficking ;ijn “home brew” was continued before Mr J. IT. Salmon, S.M. Evidence as to the sale of liquor was given by Constable Dunn, of Wellington Senior-Sergeant. M’Lcan conducted the prosecution, and Mr AY. AA T . Porritt (Paeroa) represented defendants.

In giving his decision, the Magistrate said that the evidence was clear in each case, and a great deal of time had been wasted in the defence. Culpable perjury had been committed in at least once instance. In connection with the charges of keeping liquor for sale the oiiu.s was on the defendants to prove the contrary. The evidence disclosed that there .was a great deal of illicit selling of liquor in this disriot, and a certain amount of squalidness and sadness, two of the defendants being physical wrecks. Each case, however, would have to be treated as a breach of the Act.

Quintal, Bennett and Afeaeheem were each convicted and fined £2O for selling, and £5 with costs, for keeping liquor for sale. Lewis was fined £2O for selling and ordered to pay costs for keeping liquor for sale. Gilpin was fined £2O for keeping liquor for sale, ami was ordered to pay costs on tlie charge of selling. ASIATICS AND LAND. ! WELLINGTON, .May 8. A reply to a request hv the AVhife New Zealand League that legislation he enacted to make leasing, or selling of land in any part of New Zealand to Asiatics subject to the approval of the local authority was received last evening from the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon R. F. Bollard, by | the Taukau Town ‘loud, v liicli erder- . sod the representations. .Air Bollard intimated that- ihc request >ould uni ! be granted. “Our legislation at pre sen it,” he wrote “allows for the acquisition of land by aliens in tlie same manner of all respects as by natural born British subjects, although there are certain restrictions with reference to ex-enemy subjects. The law in tin's respect follows that of most countries, and tn alter it in the way suggested would give grave offence and probably involve the Imperial Government in serious difficulties.” :

The letter said that although a number of Asiatics might have concentrated in certain districts, restrictions on Asiatic immigration in New Zealand were more effective and more stringent than those of any other country, and the total alien population hero was extremely small. Through the Customs Department flio Government kept a close watch on immigration, and statistics showed that tlie number of .Obinose, for example, at present in New Zealand was only about half wliat it was thirty or forty years ago. If the acquisition of land by A inlies became a" menace, no doubt the Government would require to consider tlie possibilities of legislation, notwithstanding 'the grave international difficulties that might arise. However, there did not at present appear to be sufficient warranty for Icgilative action. WELFARE LEAGUE’S REVIBAY. WELLINGTON, May 10. In reply to the statement by the Labour Party telegraphed from Christchurch, the, AYolfare League says:---“The British Trades Union Congress, having changed the incidence of the dispute in the coal mining industry, by instituting a general strike which must seriously affect the people of Britain and in a lesser degree those of New Zealand aie called upon to give consideration to this tremendous occurrence. As loyal citizens of the British Empire, we must uphold tlie action of the Government at Home in challenging tlie right of anybody of people within the State to order a general stoppage of industries to the serious injury of numerous persons not involved iii any dispute, and especially those of the poorer class.

“The action taken by the Government to maintain the integrity of the nation, preserve law and order, protect the living of the people by safeguarding supplies and .in affirming that the liberty of individuals under the law It) carry on their business ond callings shall not be suppressed, will have the moral endorsement of all right-thinking citizens in this Dominion. "While, recognising the right of the workers to with-hold their labour and of the employers to withhold employment in cases where, condi-

tions of working or employment are matters of dispute, the people of New Zealand will utterly condemn the tyranny of a general strike or lock-out, whi< h in practice prohibits employers and workers, who have no dispute, from exercising their liberty of carrying on industrial operations. “The institution of a general strike, being a denial of civil rights under law, and an attack on the liberties of the people, therefore transcends the limits of an industrial dispute, and becomes a challenge to the constitution which no Government can overlook, save at the nation’s peril. For such reason, whatever sympathy we have for the miners and the workers of Britain generally in the present trade circumstances, there should he no doubt that New Zealand is opposed to a general strike as a social crime against the nation, and a usurpation of powers against our civil liberties, which are guaranteed by the laws and contitution of the State.”

EXTENDED FISHING TRIP. BUAMAXO GOES TO FIJI. AUCKLAND, May 10. I?iit a lew months have passed since Mr Alf H. Court’s launch, the Ruamano, came back to Auckland after a notable voyage round New Zealand. She will soon commence her second " long distance trio,” which will on this occasion, he in the more distant waters of the Fijian islands. On May 22 the Tofua will carry the Ruamnno and her crew, consisting of .A. H. Court. Peter B. Ross, G. H. Hodgson | and John Kelly to Suva, where the launch will “ take the water again ” in preparation for the voyage. At Suva Sir Maynard Hedstrom will join the party. ~ The trip is being"'made firstly as a holiday and secondly as a means of exploiting the fishing possibilities of the islands. The voyage is expected to last three months and the boat will be taken right through the Fijian group. ■ There is a possiblity of it going further east.

The Aucklanders hope to land some big fish, and it is thought that as the swordfish when hooked makes for the north some of their habitats might l>e found in the islands. An attempt is to Ire made to find out whether the swordfish which frequent out northern wafers in the summer time . return during the winter to the tropical-coasts of the South Sea Islands,-where, so far

as is known, it has not yet been fished for. The cruise, as a result", may he of some Scientific value. In this respect the boat has been specially fitted out, a wireless set has been installed and a cinematograph is to he taken on the trip.

ADVENTURE ON LAUNCH. AN INEXPERIENCED CREW. WELLINGTON, May 10. Maimed by a crew who admit that they possess but the vaguest idea of navigation, the well-known launch Koa, which for several years past has been plying for hire on the harbour, left Auckland for Norfolk Island on Saturday afternoon. For the reason that the launch’s crew have had no deep sea experience, the voyage is expected to he something in the nature of an adventure. The Koa, which is owned and captained by A’. Harrison, will first proceed to Kuwait, and thence to the Bay of Islands. At the northern port she will await the arrival of the auxiliary schooner Resolution, which is expected to leave Auckland for Norfolk Island towards the end of the present week. Arrangements have been made for the launch and schooner to meet off the coast on Saturday next. Once the vessels join company, ■ the Resolution will set the course and will be followed by tlie Koa. In this way it is anticipated that the distance between Auckland and Norfolk Island will be covered without msibap. If favoured by fine weather, the launch should not experience any groat difficulty in keeping in touch with her guide, but should heavy weather or fogs be encountered considerable trouble may result. The crew, however, are optimistic: that nothing of the latter nature will occur. J The Koa, which is 42ft long, is fitted with n 42-75 h.p. oil engine. When she left Auckland on Saturday she carried 70 cases of bewdne. besides provisions calculated to last the crew for at least a weelc. Captain Harrison has with him as companions R. Morrison, liuffell and Adams. On arrival at Norfolk Island the Koa is to be used in connection with the whaling industry, and will also tow back the “kills.” I I N.Z. ALLIANCE. | WELLINGTON, May >O. 1 At the final session of the New Zealand Alliance, officers for the ensuing year were elected. Mr-John 1. Royds, Christchurch, who for the past ten years has been president, was accorded musical honours and also a vote of appreciation. Mr Charles Todd, Dunedin, was unanimously elected president. Thirty vice-presidents were elected, headed by Sir Robert Stout. The following is the Standing Committee:— lfevs. AV. J. Connie and E. LI. AVeeks, Messrs AY. I). Hunt, E. P. Hay, A. R, Atkinson, and C. AL Luke; lion, treasurer. Air F. Feist. A special vote of thanks wins accorded Air J. Brown, for the past 17 years lion, treasurer. A resolution of thanks was passed to Air C. N. Edmond for his services as Dominion organiser. STRIKE RISK. QUESTION OF INSURANCE. AUCKLAND, Alov 10. No definite rates for strike risk on goods lieing exported from the Dominion to Britain lias yet been: fixed by tlie New Zealand insurance compiinies. At Imst one company -is accepting such, risk, while another lias so far made no provision for it. Advice on the subject lias Iteen sought in London, when it is probable flint a uniform rate will lie adopted. London underwriters, however, are accepting this risk at special rates. An Auckland importer asked by cablegram for a strike cover on goods which were about to be shipped by him from London, lie was informed by his agents that the risk had idready Leon accepted at 2s (id per cent per month. This represents a special premium of 80s per cent ]ier annum.

'l’he importer has no details of wliat Is covered by the policy, but he assumes that it will guard (Against any damage, delay or loss caused by tlie strike. Strike risks taken by London retailers, especially on foodstuffs, Have already been quoted ill London cablegrams which, however, omitted to state the period for which the risks were 'accented.