DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 February 1927, Page 4

DOMINION ITEMS.

[by TELKOBABH—PEK PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

EDUCATIONAI

At'CKI.AXJ). I'l'ljnian 19

The New Zealand University Council resolved on Milner's motion that in the interests of teaching and efficiency ot secondary schools, the academic board, when constituted, he asked to make a comparative survey of the prescriptions for various honours and courses in arts, with special reference to history, economics and education with a view to redressing any inequality that may he found. Under the New Zealand University Amendment Act of last session, the University Council is empowered to appoint one member to itself hy co-operation. The Council, after considering the matter in committee. resolved to invite Hon. Dr Collins for many years a member of the late Senate, to accept the position.

FREEZING WORKERS. FKILDING, February 10. There was a slight trouble at Fcilding freezing works yesterday. The old union butchers refused to kill ram lambs, unless they were paid extra rates, and ceased work. Volunteer butchers carried on. II is believed the matter will he adjusted on Monday.

AN S.O.S. GISBORNE, February If). Local wireless amateurs report about eight last, night they heard repeated S.O.S. calls. Despite inquiries from Auckland, Wellington and ChaUiams, the sender gave no indication of identity. The signals were fairly strong and were believed to he from a vessel. I'M: FEZ I\c: BLOCK. BLENHEIM, February 10. As a result of Lite dry spell which has set in lately there has been an urgent press of stock at Pielon freezing works. It has been coped with as far as possible in killings which have been averaging over 8,000 per week, but unlortuiiaLely a difficulty has arisen regarding the shipping. The refrigerating company foresaw the difficulty and for some time past, has been urging the overseas shipping committee to afford relief. The Northumberland was

scheduled for I’ieton, but owing to her mishap was after some delay replaced by the Tasmania, loading for London and West England ports. Delay after delay, however, has been experienced. With the Tasmania due at I’icton on February IBth. she was postponed until Monday nexL and advice lias now heel: received that she will not arrive at I’icton for loading until Wednesday morning. Unfortunately the store and freezing chambers at I’icton are full and hy utilizing every possible corner of space the Company can kill only until Tuesday night. After that no stock can be killed until relief is afforded hy shipping. Farmers’ organisations are making strong representations on the matter to the Meat Board to endeavour to assure that such a position will not arise again during the season.

TOBACCO IN N.Z. STATE FINANCES EXPERIMENT. WELLINGTON. Feb. 18. All being well, a shipment of New Zealand-grown tobacco sufficient to test the London nOrket, will he dispatched at the end of the season, in order to ascertain definitely whether tobacco can be grown on a, commercial scale in the Dominion. The onlv satisfactory wav of testing the m'liket was to grow a sufficient quantity to command attention, and to send Ibis to London. Men with some knowledge of tobacco-grow-ing sought the assistance of the Government in the matter, with the result that tho Government has given n guar■nntee on the crop to he grown for export. The guarantee practically amounts to financing the shipment of the crop. Tn consequence of this, an area of about 30 acres has been planted in tobacco in Nelson. It is hoped to send at least something like a live tons shinment of leaf, after which some time will have to elapse in order to ascertain if the quality and flavour are of a, kind likely to prove popular, and if the price returned will make tobaccogrowing a paying proposition in New Zealand. AMERICAN CAPITAL. INVESTMENTS IN' NEW ZEALAND. AUCKLAND. Feb. IS. Among tbo American visitors who arrived by tbo Franconia from New York, was Mr Bernard A. Puis, an American financier and vice-president of the National City Rank of New York City. Discussing Ihe movement of American capital, Air Duis said that Amci ioan investors were anxious, and eager to find fresh openings for investment. America itself had been fairly fihoroughy exploited, and while an atti active return was possible in many classes of investment, it was inevitable that eves should he turned to other countries, including New Zealand. Tt was all a case of finding reasonable securities. High grade seeuriies could l>o obtained in the United States at 5 per cent., and unless they could he obtained at an equally good rate elsewhere. it was unlikely that investors would he greatly interested. In the opinion of Air Duis, the chance of American capital drifting to New Zealand in any quantity was remote, as the revival of industrial conditions in Britain would give an impetus to British investors, who were obviously more welcomed in Now Zealand than American.

THE UNEAIPLOYED

CHRISTCHURCH, Feb. 19

\fter a henrt-to-hcnrt talk to-day with AH C. P. Agar (President of the Chamber of Commerce) the leaders of the unemployed here gave an assurance that they would use their influence with the men in preventing any demonstration taking place when the Duke and Duchess arrive.

K AJTUNA’S CR.EAY CHARGED. AUCKLAND, Fob. 10

Twenty members of the crew of the AVnituna, which is at present held up in port, were charged at the Police Court with failing, without reasonable cause to proceed to sea in the steamer. Counsel for the men asked for an adjournment. as he desired to bring witnesses to substantiate the crew’s reasons for their refusal.

Counsel for the Union Company op--11 posed an adjournment beyond Alondny. j He said the Kaituna had a certificate of seaworthiness, and had just come out of dry dock. The men had some idea about bent plates, but there were bent plates in every boat’s hold and the boat was in good condition. The ease was adjourned till 2 p.m. on Monday. AA'ORKER’S SUDDEN DEATH. BLENHEIM. Feb. 19. Frederick AA’illiam Bismarck, "a labourer, aged about 60. died suddenly to-day whilst harvesting. It is believed that he belonged to the Feilding district. AIOTOR. CYCLISTS’ DEATH. DUNEDIN. Fob. 19. Albert Nisbett, the young man who was found unconscious on Berwick road on AVednosday. and who fell from a motor cycle, died to-day without regaining consciousness.