DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 August 1926, Page 3

DOMINION ITEMS.

bt Tf,r.r:cnArn —press assx., copyright. DISAPPOINTED AT BOROUGH’S ACTION. TIMARU, Aug. 25. Referring to the Borough Council’s recent purchase of a. fleet of motorbuses, a report presented to lastnight’s quarterly meeting of the South Canterbury Chamber of Commercestated : “Tbe Council desires to record its keen, sense of disappointment and regret at the action of the Timaru Borough Council in purchasing chassis of a foreign manufacture in preference to those of British origin. On two recent occasions Auckland public bodies have accepted British tenders where the lowest of such exceeded those of foreign manufacturers by some thousands of numls. and the same splendid example to all importers was set by the Brisbane Harbour Board in connection with a recent purchase of two barges, aggregating £58.0(H), despite isevere Dutch and German competition. In each of the instances quoted, the disparity ill price was against the- lowest British tender, hut in connection with the Timarn Borough Council’s purchase, there was actually a discrepancy of nearly £lof> per chassis in favour of tlte British 'manufacturer. In view of this Dominion’s almost entire dependence upon the British consumer for the absorption of its products, your Council is of the opinion that before rejecting British tenders, consideration should lie given to the fact that the Mother Country’s industrial activity is quickly reflected in the prices we receive for our products, and that when its purchasing power is subnormal, this Dominion suffers in consequence.”

A FIRE, ROTORUA, August 27 The M,unic-apal buildings caught firelast evening and the Brigade, being promptly on the spot, confined the fire to the main office where it started in the woodwork of a chimney. The documents were saved and library was mi touched. Insurance «>n building and contouls amount to £1.500. The damage was probably £2OO. FREEZING WORKS DISPUTE. HAVER A. Aug. 27. An agreement was reached hv the Disputes Committee. ‘Wellington, regarding the dispute of Patea Freezing Works in reference to killing day-old calves. This class of work is being resumed on Monday. It is understood the men receive an increased rate, but under the new scheme of work, the slaughtermen will he without the assistance of labourers previously supplied. SUPERANNUATION.

FACTS ABOUT THE FUNDS WELLINGTON, Aug. 25. During 1925-26, 1082 new contributors joined the Public Service Superannuation Fund, their aggregate salary being £231,193, and their annual contributions £12,870. At the end of the year there were 16,328 contributors (.11,29/ mi<'e and 2031 female). Their aggregate salary was £4,262,835, and their annual contributions ' were £238,996. Of the whole number 12,314 were contributing at the minimum rate, 5 per cent of salary, and only 78 at the maximum, 10 per cent. New pensions amounting to £44,525 per annum were granted during the year to 166 members, 17 widows, and 33 children. The annual amount payable in pensions at the ti'ose of the year was £316,400, including £29,715 to widows and children. The accumulated funds amount to £2.317,398. and are earning an average of £6 Is 5d per cent. The Government subsidy for the year was £99,269. The Teachers’ Superannuation. Fund in the year ended January 31st last gained 976 members, and lost 451, making a total of 7968 (3082 male and 4886 female). Members’ contributions for the year amounted to £127,671, and £109,258 was paid out in 1197 pensions. The Government/ subsidy was/ £70,681. Allowance to widows and children amounted to £315. The accumulated funds were £1,008,823. FLAX-MILLING. INDUSTRY REVIEWED. PALMERSTON X., Aug. 25. At the annual meeting of the New Zealand Flnxmillers’ Association, the retiring president, Air A. Seifert, said that during the Inst twelve months the output of .hemp had been about the average maintained in the last few years. The cost of production was very high awl an endeavour would have to ho made to reduce costs to compete against the competition of fibre, such ns sisal and maniln. , “I will not attempt to forecast the future priee of hemp and tow,” lie continued. “Values of all commodities are falling; hut as hemp has not so'd at boom prices since (he war it is just possible that it may escape the period of very low prices. The production of sisal has increased in Java and East Africa and very largely in Sumatra, while in Yucatan (Mexico), where the largest amount of sisal is grown, the output has increased considerably. Now I understand the body controlling tile sale of this fibre has decided on a 25 per cent reduction in output and this no doubt has lately hardened- the price of our hemp.”

It was explained that any increase in the Dominion output of hemp would depend entirely on prices and the cost of production in New Zealand. Hie fibre was well-dressed and was demanded the world over. Even lower qualities had been readily disposed of in England and Europe at reduced prices. It was a matter for regret that the association bad been unsuccessful' in securing an adjustment of railway freights to a reasonable figure. Officers were elected as follow: President. Mr C. A. J.otighnaii ; vicepresident, Mr H. A. Seifert; treasurer, Mr H Akers; committee, Messrs A. Seifert, A. Ross, ,1. S. Moir, H. Berry, W. Nve, H. A. Seifert, W. Signal, J. H. Hume and C. Petersen. MOTOR ACCIDENT. WTTAKATANE, August 2(5. As a result of being frightened by a motor-ear. a horse with a dray backed over a cliff near Waimana and a native girl, ’aged four, was killed, native woman was driving the drn\ and was injured but not seriously. A Maori ‘ girl. Hinc Takotohia. was knocked down by a motor-car at Baron, while going home from school and now lies in Whnkatane Hospital in a precarious condition as the result of injuries to her head. WATERED MILK. AUCKLAND, August 27.

Albert J. Wallis, a dairyman, was fined £2O and costs, for selling milk wtih 27 per cent, added water. Magistrate Povnton remarking it was an atrocious' amount, practically one-third

of water. Robinson Brothers, also dairymen, admitted selling milk with 17 per cent of added water and were fined £2O.