DOMINION NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 April 1928, Page 1

DOMINION NEWS.

(By Telegraph—P°r Press Association.)

DUNEDIN’S BIRTH RATE. DUNEDIN, April 1. While births in Dunedin district showed a substantial increase of 4(5 on the previous month’s registrations, the total was much below those recorded lor March of last year. Vital statistics compiled by the Registrar are as follows (those for the corresponding months being given in parentheses):— Births 125 (174), deaths (52 (6(5), marriages 59 (63).

FRANCE AND U.S.A. PLAN. WELLINGTON, March 31

The latest Note received by the Senate Department from France is published to-day. It- signifies France’s conditional acceptance of Mr Kellogg’s (U.S.A. Secretary of State) proposal for a multi-lateral treaty for the outlawing of war, hut the Note contains an important reservation concerning tho obligations of France and of other nations under the League of Nations Covenant, which is considered here as compromising Mr Kellogg’s plan for the renunciation of war. CYCLISTS CRASH. CHRISTCHURCH, April 1. Two motor cyclists competing in a race at the motor cycle sports at New Brighton yesterday crashed through the railings at the corner, and were seriously injured. They were AYnlter George Thomas, aged 26, and Eric l’ylce, 20. The surface of the track had worn at the turn, and Thomas, who was in front of Pvke, took a wide sweep out to avoid the soft patch, and failed to clear the railings. His machine skidded and crashed into the fence heavily. Pyke whose view was completely blocked by the dust and smoke, crashed into Thomas, and struck his head heavily against the fence or Thomas’s machine. Both men wore concussion helmets.

To-day Thomas had improved 'oniderahlv, shock being the only trouble, nit Pyke is stiU unconscious, and his ondition is serious.

x.z. nnrunuTJON. WELLINGTON, April 1. An extension ol‘ the existing restrictions on immigration to New Zealand has been decided upon by the Cabinet. The expiry date is being moved forward to the end of the present year. The results of the restriction policy, since its adoption reveal a substantial decrease in the number of arrivals. On account of the Dominion’s economic situation, the flow of immigration was first restricted last year, the restrictions being imposed in London at the beginning of April last, and actually affecting arrivals here as from the following month. Under the new policy, migrants were confined to domestics and separated families, and the juveniles brought out under tile Flock House, the Salvation Army, and the Church of England schemes were not affected by the restrictions. It was intended that the restrictions should last until October last, but on the expiry date it was considered expedient to extend iliem until December Ist. A lurther extension was then decided upon until Saturday last. The High Commissioner for New Zealand in London has now been advised that the restrictions will remain in force until the end ol EC’S. This is stated to be an illustration of the fact: that the Government is sincere in its restriction policy and that it lias been carried out. There has been a shrinkage in the number of arrivals since the inauguration of the policy front May last up to the end of the financial year (Saturday last), the arrivals showing a decrease of 70 per cent over last year’s figures. A FATAL ACCIDENT. GREYMOUTH, April 2. Patrick Joseph Casey, aged ml. a single man, an employee of the Grey County Council, was killed this morning at Paroa. He was thrown off a lorry and received head injuries. Ho never regained consciousness and died five minutes after lie was liospitalled. [Deceased lias a sister in the Grevmouth Convent and Mr Thomas Oasey, of Mntainui, is a brother.] OBITUARY. HASTINGS. April 2, Obituary William Temple Williams, at Pukoliou, aged 72. eldest son of the late Venerable Archdeacon Samuel Williams. He was well-known all over the Dominion for lus famous Shorthorn and Jersey cattle herds.