Untitled

Hokitika Guardian, 28 July 1926, Page 2

TnEiiE has l>een a strong plea for the revision of the Customs tariff, and the Government has indicated it proposes to tackle the task next session. All of New Zealand’s industries, and particularly the secondary industries, are sheltered by high customs duties, in addition to which they have the protection of transport charges, but notwithstanding this, there is a piteous appeal for more protection. The President of one of the ndustrial associations, in drawing the attention of the Government to the fact that many of our industries are in a critical condition, asks for an additional 10 per cent, duty to ho levied on all manufactured goods imported from oversea, aiul added:—“The shibboleth that the Customs tariff, combined with the freight charges from oversea countries, should he sufficient protection, is exploded.” In support of his appeal for an increased duty, the president states that the rates of wages paid by industrialists in New Zealand are 80 per cent, higher than the rates in Great Britain, 300 per cent, higher than the rates in Germany, Belgium and Austria, 200 per cent .and over higher than in other European countries. It is obvious that the extent of the protection received by the manufacturing concerns of the Dominion through the Customs tariff is insufficient. When complaints-are being, made about the high cost of living nowadays, it would he as well to remember, that of the higher cost a great deal is due to the increased- wages now paid. The help to he derived from the Customs will go mainly to maintaining industries which are employing labor on the enhanced wages, so that it will lie seen that the process is really an artificial effort to maintain trade without any economic adjustment to meet competition on natural grounds. The Government-, it would appear, is acceding to the demand for Customs revision for revenue purposes. With falling exports the country wiil not- he able to continue importing in such volume, and the contraction will mean a shrinkage of the national revenue through the Customs. To maintain the volume of revenue from that quarter, an increase in the incidence is the obvious thing to do, and so the government in its good nature is really going to make a virtue of necessity. But there will continue still that degree of price inflation which to call the increased cost of living, for with the high wages compulsorily oavable, there is no chance of a reduction in the cost of production. The economic issue is sadly in need of closer attention by all who desire to see some reduction in the cost of living.

A final reminder is given of the Fire Brigade Ball which takes place in tlio Soldiers’ Hall to-night, the first danco taking place at 8.30 o’clock. A euchre tournament and dance will be held in the Itoiterangi Hall on Thursday, July 29tli. Good prizes. Good supper. J. Sloane, ihon. secretary, Koiterangi Hall Committee. — Advt.

Quito a large number are laid aside temporarily, with influenza and heavy colds, while mumps prevail in considerable numbers among the children. Generally speaking tho visitation is nob a severe one locally and with ordinary care there is no untoward danger.

After an unpleasant day- yesterday, with heavy rain there was a heavy hailstorm at 5 p.m. with further similar showers during the evening and wintry conditions prevailed. Tho weather cleared during tho night, and there was a sharp frost this morning, with a clear sky and bright sunshine. The hills have a heavy white mantle of snow.

There was a good attendance at St. Mary’s euchre tournament last evening. The prize winners were:—First, (an aluminium kitchen set), Mr A. Sumner; second (a tea set), Mrs A. Sumner ; third (Pyrcx dishes), Mr Saunders ; fourth (spoons in case) Mrs I. Brown. The prizes for next week are— First, six yards of passage runner and two mats; second, a sofa rug; third, a bedroom rug; fourth, an umbrella.

Tlie Returned Soldiers’ Popular .Euchre will he continued in the Soldiers’ Hall next Friday, July 30th., at 8 o’clock sharp, when the following valuable prizes will ho offered for competition : —lst. prize, reversible wool carpet square, 48in. x 84in.; 2nd. case of Ist. grade Stunner apples; 3rd. box of ladies’ fancy handkerchiefs; 4tli. white damask table cloth. The four prize winners each night play off at the end of the season for a ladies’ or gents’ bicycle. Roll up early! Supper. Admission 2s.—Advt. Infectious and other notifiable diseases reported in the Canterbury and West Coast Health districts for the week ended noon on Monday totalled 53. as follows:—Canterbury: Scarlet fever 4, diphtheria- o, tuberculosis 4, pneumonic influenza 29, puerperal septicaemia 1. septic abortion 1, and hydatids 1. West Coast: Diphtheria 1, tuberculosis I, and pneumonia 1. There were thirteen deaths as follows: Canterbury: Tuberculosis 2, pneumonia 2. pneumonic influenza 8. West Coast: Tuberculosis 1.

“I regard the position regarding pneumonic influenza as nearly back to normal for this time of the year,” the Medical Officer of Hcaltli( Dr T. Fletcher Telford) stated at Christchurch on Monday. For the week-end period four cases were reported. One occurred in the City and one cadi at Sockhurn. Sumner and Tinwald. No deaths wore reported. During the week ended noon Monday 29 cases and eight deaths from pneumonic influenza were reported in the Canterbury Health District as compared with 43 cases and six deaths the previous week.

According to a special correspondent’s message from New Plymouth the Minister of Agriculture, the Hon O. -J. Ha when, is personally opposed to compulsion in dairy control. If so there will he a piquant position in the House within a week or so, when tho Minister will introduce an amendment of the Control Act. He was approached to-day with a view to ascertaining if lie had any comment to make on the suggestion that lie does not support compulsion, and that he had been appealed to by his constituents to postpone its operation. ‘‘As the Bill will he before tho House in a few days,” replied Mr Hawken, “I will make any necessary explanations of any views then. I am certainly not going to get into a wrangle over tho Bill at this stage.”

'l'lie Director-General of Agriculture writing to Mr T. 15. Y. Seddou, M.P., iii regard to the Farm School, states: “ With reference to your verbal request for a programme of lectures to be delivered at the Farm School on the West Coast, I find, on making inquiries, that the school lias been temporarily abandoned soi far as bolding it in the winter is concerned. For the time being it is intended only to bold a field day on the Waimaunga experimental farm, and to go on with the matter of the travelling farm school in the early spring. The programme of lectures is in the meantime not being drawn up, but so soon as the matter is considered 1 shall be pleased to send a copy of the programme to you. This, however, may not be until the end of August or early in September. ’ What promises to lie easily the biggest attraction of the year is the grand plain and fancy dress ball which is set down to eventuate in the. Soldiers’ Hall on tlio lltli August, under the auspices of the local Druids Lodge. This big annual event is much looked forward to by all lovers of the light fantastic. This year’s function will he no exception, as the committee is leaving no stone unturned in the Way of making this coining ball eclipse anything of its kind ever held in the hail. Prizes of a very valuable nature will he given to the best original dressed lady and gentleman. Ross’s full orchestra of five instruments will provide the music, and supper will be provided by Preston’s Tea Rooms. Come, and ask your friends to join you, in tlie Wav of spending a most enjoyable evening. Watch these columns for further particulars re the big social event.

We can offer some very special inducements for ladies to purchase un-der-clotliing at Sale Prices. The whole of our stock lias been re-marked and the following are extra value: Crepe bloomers in sky pink, helio at Is lid; crepe nightdresses, hem-stitched, in four light shades at 3s 6d. Schroder and Co.—Advt.

About 5 o’clock last evening a collision occurred at the Greymouth end of Cobden Bridge, which fortunately was attended with consequences less serious than it might have been. At the time mentioned a down goods train from Otira was approaching tlie bridge while a lorry belonging to the Grey Power Board was coming over the bridge to town. Driver Smith and Fireman. Pugli on the locomotive did not notice the lorry till it was within about 30 feet of the line. The train was then travelling about twelve miles an hour and the engine whistled twice. Tlie lorry was apparently directed to cross the line ahead of the train but it just failed to clear it. being struck by the engine in the rear. The impact swerved the lorry, which Mr Benson was driving, and two of those aboard, Messrs Hugh O’Neill (late of ■Westport), and Drummond, were precipitated upon the road and injured. Both were taken to the hospital, where if was found that neither was seriously hurt. 31v Drummond being later discharged from the institution. The lorry sustained no damage and the locomotive was aTso undamaged.

Found at Addisons’ Clearing Sale of Men’s Clothing, suits from 525, also overcoats from 30s.—Advt. Nothing reduces influenza temperature like Nazol. Kills germs, clears head and chest passages. Stops coughs and colds. GO doses only Is Gd.—Advt.

Give that boy or girl Nazol. No cold is Nazol proot. Purest preventive of influenza. First dose gives prompt rplief. 60 doses for Is 6d.—Advt.

The annual concert and hall in aid of the funds of Kanicri State School will be hold in the Public Hall ICanici on Friday, August 20tli.

Mustard is keen, but the prices at Addisons’ Clearing Sale for men’s trousers, from size 3 to BJ, is keener. —Advt.

Matron E. McGibbon. recently appointed to Hewn Maternity Home, reported to the Grey Hospital Board that the number of patients discharged since June 28 was 13, admitted 1-, births 12, remaining in hospital, 6 patients. 5 babies.

The Medical Superintendent of tho Grey Hospital reported' for June that the number of patients admitted during the month was 56, discharged durum month 58. died during month 1, remaining at the end of the month 47 males, 2!) females; in Old People’s Home, 37 males and 7 females, total 120. Big and busy business every day, the great one price event, 4s lid Sale, goes merrily on. Many fresh bargains thrown in for the last few days; 4s lid Sale definitely closes on Tuesday, Aug. 3rd. Hundreds of articles now 4s lid and 2 for 4s lid. Come and join your thrifty friends. McGruer’s, the leading drapers, Hokitika and Greymouth. —Advt.