DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 April 1927, Page 1

DOMINION ITEMS.

[by TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION ] THE UNEMPLOYED. CHRISTCHURCH, April 5. Mr R'. B. Owen is initiating a scheme of unemployment relief with the aid of a small committee to lie set up under the presidency of the Mayor of the City, Ylr Archer. The proposal is to engage men on tree-planting operations on the river hanks. ..ad in tree-planting, or shrub planting in suburban streets lending themselves to that form of beautification. Where trees cannot he planted in streets. Mr Owen suggests that shrubs should he planted on the unformed portions of the sidewalks and by this means hide the unsightly tin fences which in many eases, depreciate the value of property. His idea is that the residents in the streets to he planted should supply the fund'; required. The proposed tree and shrub planting works would be done he said, in cooperation with the City Council and other controlling authorities, hi the past tree-planting relief works nad been started at Hie wrong season—in the spring. “One thing we are out for,” Air Owen added, “is value for the money we pay out. Whilst readily sympathising with those ol the unemployed unable to earn full wages, wo find ttiat there is such a large number of ablebodied men out of work that we shall demand from every man an honest day’s work. In this, 1 am sure, wo will have the assistance of every good citizen.”

As to llio form that the appeal for funds will take, Mr Owen said that it would be decided by the committee.

The scheme proposed by Mr Owen was explained to a meeting of the unemployed in A’ietoria Square by .Air E. L. Hills, who said that those engaged would be expected to do los -Id worth of work each day. in response to his empiiry as to how many men would be available for the work, all present hold up their hands.

STEAMER REFLOATED. NEAV PLYMOUTH, April 5. The steamer Wot ore was reiloated this morning, apparently undamaged, and is now lying at Mokau wharf.

COST OF LIVING. AY ELLINGTON, April 5. According to the Government Statistician’s figures, it now takes 32 shillings iiil pence, on the average, to purchase what could he purchased for 20 shillings in .July, 1914. The expenditure on food constitutes somewhat less than two-filTlis of the expenditure of the average household. The prices in the clothing and the miscellaneous groups have been very steady since November, with a gradual declining tendency, but rent lias risen. THREE HOUSES BURNT. WELLINGTON. April 5. A fire occurred in the Terrace at midday at. the upper end of Abel Smith Street, three houses being razed and one damaged by smoke and water. The outbreak started in an empty thirteen roomed house, owned by Air A. Spiro. The llames spread to the adjoining premises of Air A. C. Geddes. The insurances are not available. The fire brigade finding it impossible to save these places, turned its attention to saving an adjoining row of cottages. The first of these, owned and occupied by Air AY. A tilbury, was gutted and practically all the furniture was lost. The furniture was insured for £IBO.

The next house, owned and occupied by Air \Y. Wen rue. was damaged by smoke and water. If was insured n>r £GOO and the furniture for £209. Ilie furniture of the adjoining houses and the houses opposite was removed !■: vwhile by willing hands. WHEAT OUK^TIOX. ASHBURTON. April ft'. The i I on. Mr !ia wl'.en a; ri red let •• to-day. al the invii.-.iiou of the MidCaii I erbnry Executive of the l-.itmnvx' Union, and the A. ami P. A . -n: let i to inspect ill" wheat-proa i g area:; id the (iiunly. In the ntorring ie 'inspected the exnerimeutal farm, and ia the afternoon addres->d a large •!!••■ I - ing il the tanners on I In' wheat question. Ilis speech was much on the lame lines of the Premier's recent .-I ntom.cn ts at Titnavu and flirt-1.-cluirch. Tie added that notice of tV.e intention to impose a ninv duly would he given to Australia within a day or two. Referring In dairy produce. Air Hawken defended, cunirel. The .Minister lours ihe iiuimry to-morrmv, returning lo Wellington in the evening. UXEORTUX A l l-: CGIXCIBEXCH. CHRISTCHURCH. April ft. Air R. AY. Comyiis. coal merchant, at Oxford, is totally blind as the result of an accident which occurred yesterday. TLe was chopping wood, when a piece flew up. striking him on the eye, completely destroying it. Several years ago Corny ns lost the sight of his other eye in an almost similar way. Oil that occasion lie was In-caking coal. “O.O.B.” SYSTEM. WELLINGTON. April 4. “I am .sorry to see such an unsatisfactory reply from the Acting-Prime Minister, ft is a pity that he does not see eye to eye with the business people in connection with this matter.” remarked Air Al. Heineiiiann at a meeting of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, when advice from the Hon. A\ • 1). Stewart, informing the chamber that lie was unable to come to any conclusion other than that the Government would not be warranted »:t taking steps to remove the ensb-on-deliverv system, was received.

Air Heiiieilinnn suggested that a subcommittee lie set up to Ira me a reply to the Minister's letter. Air G. Alitehell: T would not let this matter rest until wo get some redress, flic Government's poiicv is altogether wrong. L think we should again approach the Minister. All- A. Afackenzie said tliai trorn his reply the Afinister appeared to have gone very fully into the matter. Air lleittemann: We must go turther. Afr Alaekenzie: His reply is very conclusive in several points. A member: No, it is misleading. Air Alaekenzie: In several points it is conclusive. , .

Afr W. Jtimm said that the Afinister had expressed Ids willingness again to receive a deputation. It was decided that a suitable reply he drafted and presented to the Alinister.

RUGBY LEAGUE. WELLINGTON. April 0. At a meetng of the 'Wellington Rugby League a proposal to debar the men suspended by the New Zealand League from admission to grounds was deferred till a report was received from headquarters. AY. Desmond, one of the two Wellington representatives, said if there had been no strike the Xew ZeaVand Council would have made £B.OOO and the team would have won 80 per cent of the games, they had to contend with disloyal players, who made it very hard for the rest. Personally lie had no complaint. The strikers got absolutely what they deserved.