DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 May 1927, Page 3

DOMINION ITEMS.

[UT TELEGRATH—PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

REMANDED to aielbourne. AUCKLAND. Alav 19

At the Police Court, Peter Bruce Al’Fnrlano, aged 23, was remanded in custody to Melbourne on a charge of the theft of £lO.

BRITISH TRADE COAIAHSSIONKR AUCKLAND, Alav 20.

“I .sincerely h no the British Government will he persuaded to retain its trade commission in New Zealand.'' said the Prime .Minister to-day. ‘‘The office has proved a very valuable one. and it v'O n > difficult to get along without it." Mr Coates’ remark had reference to a statement I v the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Air Winston Churchill, that to effect economics in the Imperial budget, it wax intended to abolish a number of small'Government Departments, the Overseas Departments: of the Board of Trade I cing included in the number. The present Commissioner in New Zealand is ATr L. B. Beale, who took charge of the office .in April of last vear.

TRIVIAL POLICE ACTION. AUCKLAND. Afa.v 20,

Because they had taken part in a 4s sweep tit Ellerslie. on the Easter Handicap, 15 men were charged at the Police Court this morning with being partners in a lottery.

A detective on that date called at a house at Ellerslie, and found the sweep in progress. 'l'lie total amount pooled was to go with the winner, except 25s for liquor. Magistrate Hunt: There doesn’t appear to he much in that. Nearly everybody has gone in for a sweep at sometime or other. They have them in clubs, too. The eases were dismissed as trivial, and accused were told not to do it again. SEVEN WELLINGTON. Afav 21). Robert Vaughan Venables was today found guilty of attempted rape and of indecent assault. On a charge of rape lie was acquitted. In .sentencing him to seven years’ imprisonment with hard labour. Air .Justice Alpcrs termed him an untamed beast who must be caged.

FLOUR AND WHEAT DUTY. AUCKLAND. May 20

A statement that the Government was alive to the necessity of ensuring for the Dominion ample supplies ol Avlieat and flour at economic prices was made by the Prime .Minister alien briefly touching on the proposed revision of the tariff in the course of an address at the Chamber of Commerce luncheon. Mr Coates said that until the tariff commission had considered the evidence it had taken and had made recommendations to tho Government concerning the incidence ol customs taxation, he must regard the matter as being subjudice. The Government, however, had announced its intention of seeking the authority of Parliament to raise the duty on flour imported from Australia Iront £3 to Cl a ton.

As to the question of the protection of secondary industries. Mr Coates said the general principle should be that encouragement should be given to industries which were likely to he successful and ol value to the country, so that New Zealand would have an industrial population which would assist producers when they were encountering difficulties like those at present being experienced in the principal overseas market. Sound secondary industries which gave employment to maiiv of the people were ol importance to the Dominion

SINGAPORE BASE. AUCKLAND. May -20.. Replying to the Leader of the Opposition’s recent criticism of tho Government's naval defence proposals the Prime Minister, to-day. characterised the problem as a simple one. The first question, said Air Coates, was whether it is necessary, from the point of view, either of the Empire, nr of our own interests, i-’ New Zealand, that some form of naval defence should he provided. There can bo little doubt that the answer to that question, by a vast majority of New Zealanders, a ill he heartily in tho affirmative. is no lac k of appreciation in this country of the efforts of those who have devoted themselves to the cause of international peace, and nothing that lies within our power will he wanting on our part to further this cause.

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS. AYKLLTN GTON, Afav 20.

The New Zealand Educational Institute stated to-day that the resolution against the publication ol the report on Bible-in-Schools questions, which was carried last week, is not to ho taken as indicating a departure from the police of opposition adopted at the previous conference, and a resolution to this effect was also carried last week.

The Institute further pointed out that the resolution concerning the employment of married women teachers was carried by 65 votes to 15, nr’ by 05 to 50 as .stated in Auckland.

X.Z. TIMBER. WELLINGTON. May 20. Mr A. Seed. Secretary of the New Zealand Sawmillers’ Assn, said the Sawniillers’ Federation bad well under way tlie preliminary work necessary for the adoption of a universal system of timber classing and grading throughout the Dominion.

GANGWAY COL LAPSES. WELLING OX, May 20.

When about a score of watersiders, ships’ stewards and Indian coolies wtwo descending the gangway from the Sussex, berthed at Queen’s M bar! tonight, it snapped, precipitating all oil to the wharf. Tlie distance from the top of the gangway to the wharf was 20 feet. As a result Duncan McEwfiu (injuries to left foot). George Henderson (injuries to groin and lott leg), Richard Smith injuries to left foot), Alidad Latif (internal injuries, not thought to he serious), and E. C. Bass (injuries to left foot), were admitted to the Public Hospital.

OYKRDRAFT CHARGES. TIM ARC. May 20.

At a meetiug of the Farmers' Union to-day. the increased overdraft rate by the banks was discussed.

A motion of protest against such an increase was lost. The principal argument hv' those who opposed the motion was that an increase would probably result in checking extravagant expenditure, and that if it did this it would eventually he to tlie benefit ot farmers, in that it would make more money available for useful and necessary purposes.

NAUTICAL COURT'S DECISION AUc in. LAN 1), May 20.

At the liatical inquiry as to the collision between the. schooner Elsie May and the trawler Ahuriri, the Court stated it was satisfied the cause of the collision was that tlie Ahuriri did not have a light or lights showing as required by the regulations. It was great carelessness on the part of the Ahuriri and the captain would he ordered to pay costs amounting to £34 10s. Tlie certificates of both piasters were returned.

DAIRY EXHIBITS FOR LONDON. AY ELLINGTON, -May 20. Air T. O. Brash, Secretary of the Dairy Control Board, stated to-day that 31 entries have been received from Auckland. New Plymouth, Patea, Wanganui, AVollington, Canterbury, Otago and Southland, of butter and cheese for exhibit at the Great London Dairy Show in October. This is considered most satisfactory. X.Z. PUBLICITY AND SCREEN. WELLINGTON. Alav 20. The Government Publicity Office has made arrangements to take a film record for distribution abroad of aspects of the tour of the Dominion of the Canadian Association Football team, which is to commence next week. These will he secured for exhibition throughout Canada and probably other parts of the Empire, also the United States. Each member of the team will he presented with an album of Dominion views.

RED CROSS DAY. WELLINGTON. May 20 Yesterday was Red Cross Day, and although the street collectors reported a fairly successful day. it was also stated that the hard times were reflected in less spontaneity in giving. DEATH OF AIAORI CENTENARIAN. AUCKLAND, May 20. A native reputed over 100 years old, named Pallini, died at Ruatahuna. 21 miles from Auckland, on Wednesday. He claimed to be 103 years. LABOUR LEADER. Cl IRISTCTI URCH.AIny 20. There were nearly 700 people present at the Choral llall to-night when Mr Holland spoke, and replied to Air Coatf's’s speech in Dargnville. The Al.avor of Christchurch Kiev. J. lv. Archer)’ who is President of the National Labour Party, was in the chair. After a lengthy address Air O. ]*. Thomson, the President of the North Canterbury Labour Representation Committee, moved, and Air T, Armstrong .ALP., seconded, a vote .of thanks to Air Holland, and confidence in Labour’s cause. Mr Holland was accorded hearty cheers as ho left the platform.