DOMINION1 NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 August 1927, Page 4

DOMINION 1 NEWS.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.)

CENSORSHIP OP J'UJIS

WEIjI.TXGTOX A,is- Hi

A deputation from the Public Questions Committee of the Presbyterian General Assembly to the Ho.u R. F. Bullard yestorday protested against the nature of many of the films being .screened at the present time.

Dr, Gibb said that the committee had recently passed a resolution drawing attention to the nature of liltns shown. It. was felt that the censorship had been largely ineffective. Pictures were permeated with sex interest. The censor’s task, no doubt, was difficult, hut it was his duty to stand firm in the interests of the public well-being.

The Minister, artel' making reference to the fact that the position.of censor wax not yet filled, said that he was sure the deputation intended to he helpful. Ho asked that unv member knowing of a picture beyond the hounds of propriety would call his attention to it. and lie* would sec.it personally. Yesterday he went to see a picture, and as a result it was called in and cut about to such an extent that he did not think it would be worth showing now. The great bulk of films were American. ‘’\Ye are trying to get the exhibitors to make use of more British films,’' said the Minister. ’’Every day we are gaining ground in that direction. •‘f can assure you that when we get a new censor appointed we will draw up stricter regulations in connection with the censorship of films. I am sure that there will be n decided improvement in the picture to he shown in the future.

SINGULAR. ACCIDENT. PAHIATUA, Aug. 16. ' An unusual accident helol Mrs \\. C. Robinson, wife of a picture theatre lessee. While engaged fitting a fancy dress she was making, for a friend a I darning needle snapped and was driven into both knees, Mrs Robinson being' in the act of walking towards the table at the time. The eye portion of the 1 needle, about an inch and a. quarter : long, became embedded in the right : knee. The remaining portion was extracted from the left knee. An X?ray ; reveals the needle buried about an inch deep alongside the bone in the right knee. All operation will he necessary to remove it.

EDUCATION BOA BBS. ; WELLINGTON Aug. 17. I An ex-chairman of the Wellington Education Board, Mr Forsyth (Wellington East) had something to say toil igiit upon the rumoured abolition of these bodies. He criticised u Reform colleague's suggestion that the move would save from £BO,OOO to £100,00(4 pointing out that the whole, administrative expenses of the nine education boards was £42.182. It. was surprising that the member of Palmerston should stand up and make such au exaggerated statement. If he had had included the expenses of technical hoards and secondary school hoards of governors the figure would only rise to £55.001). and adding the universities made a gross total of £71.449. By contrast it was interesting to note that last year the administrative cost of llic Education Department itself had gone up '£34,552. and while this department showed increased cost in thirty years equal to 14.09 per cent that of education boards had increased only 43 per cent. Before education hoards were abolished the Minister, should malic a clear statement. (Hear, hear). Mr Rhodes: (.live school comm)i.teer. wider powers. Mr Forsyth: A delightfully vague statement and tho Minister is silent on the point.

i ALLEGED TIME Bit , FRA CD. , NAFFER, Aug. 17. 11l lire .Supreme Court, before Justice Qstler, the case was opened in which Frank Burge and Oliver Burge are indicted on concurrent charges of 'between March 4th. and April lltli. at , Flu.stings, with intent to defraud, attempting to obtain from C". and A. Odlin. of Wellington, £199 2s Id, Tiv falsely representing that, they hay supplied only 35,202 feet, valued at £4BB l9s 7d. Frank Burge was indicted on the charged! on or about February 11th. at Hastings, of obtaining £77 17s 7d from 0. and A.. Odlin by falsely representing be bad supplied them with 40,982 ft. of timber valued at £612 Os 2d, whereas lie bad supplied only .‘10,407ft, valued at £532 5s 7d. Accused was represented by C. Duff and 11. O’Leary, of Wellington, and pleaded not guilty. The. hearing of lengthy evideneo for the prosecution bad nob concluded when the Court adjourned.

DOMINION TRADE. FIGURES FOR SEVEN' MONTHS. WELLINGTON, Aug. 17. The Customs head office reports that for the month of July last imports amounted to £3,249,796 and exports to 62.930,972. an excess of imports amounting to £318.824. Returns for the seven months of the year ended July 3.1, however, show a substantial excess of exports over imports. The figures for the first seven months of 1927 and of 1926 are as follow:

DAIRY CONTROL. WELLINGTON. Aug. 17. A statement emanating from Dunedin that amalgamated dairies had been formed to represent Tooley Street firms in New Zealand, was emphatically denied to-night hv Mr W. Goodfellow, originator of amalgamated dairies.

The. formation of it. he said, was undertaken to provide a full marketing service for the co-operative interests of the dairy industry on. the cessation of the Dairy Board's marketing effort. Agents in Tooley Street will bo used iti connection with the marketing of the company's produce only in proportion to their efficiency. Amalgamated Dairies will be the principal throughout and retain a free hand. Mr Goodfcllow also denied that Mr Dyres Fulton, director i;i the company, would h 0 nominated by him to the Dairy Board. (The position, he said was not dealt with. The nomination remains entirely in the hands of the Dairy Board. Mr Goodfcllow considers that the statement was inspired to misrepresent the position. SEEGEAXT-MAJOR’S DEATH. WELLINGTON, Aug. 17. With a rifle shot in his head. Regimental Sergeant-Major Hunter, 45 I

was found dead at Fort Dorset this morning. Ho, left a note saying that jliis head had been bad, and that ho could not stand it any longer. He was a married man. and had been a member of the Defence Force for many years. He was a popular officer.

1927. 1926. £ £ Exports .1.1,023,31.1 .12.909,529 Imports 25.450,500 23,194.183 Excess exports 8,072,813 4,715,340 The figures fo r the pest seven months :>re ns follow:— Exports. Imports. £ C .hmunrv 5,205.140 4.011.000 Kehrunrv 5,015,451 3,291,610 Maroh (1,450,442 4.692,209 April 5.082,75.1 2,818.887 May 5.235.130 3.747.405 June 3.003,41(1 3,0.18,533 July 2.030,972 3,249,792 £33.523,31.1 £25.450,500