DOMINION NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 May 1928, Page 3

DOMINION NEWS.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association,

OPIUM FIND. WELLINGTON, May 18. Customs people found about £6O worth of opium secreted in one of the holds of the steamer Plnodim at Miramar wharf contained in" tins, wrapped in canvas. The steamer has 39 Chinese among the crew. SLANDER ACTION. WELLINGTON, May 17. In the Supreme Court to-day, before Judge Ostler, a ease is proceeding in which Joseph Maher is suing Leslie JOhnSon, advertising agent, Upper Hutt, for £ISOO, for alleged slander, ft is alleged that Johnson said: “T know where those heifers are. The milk has gone into some of Jim Maher’s cans, and the earmarks of tho heifers have been tampered with.” Plaintiff, a farmer, said he met defendant about two years ago, and agreed to stock his swamp lands for him. It was the removal of some cattle off this land which had given rise to the case.

SUPREME COURT SENTENCES NEW PLYMOUTH. May 18.

At the Supreme Court this morning George Cravv Smith, stock dealer, at llawera, who was convicted of negligently driving a motor ear while intoxicated and causing the death ol a woman on February 24th, was .sentenced to twelve months’ hard labour and prohibited from holding a driver’s license for five years; also to pay -640 costs for the prosecution, in default an additional two* months.

John Howard and William Tapp, twelve months reformative detention for false pretences. Harold Middleton Lee for forging and uttering and false pretences, was admitted to probation lor live years, and ordered to keep a prohibition order in force during that time. Me is to make restitution of 612 and pay 66 (is, the cost of prosecution.

PETROLEUM BORING

RENEWED ACTIVITY

NEW PLYMOUTH, Mav 18

Interest in petroleum operations was revived by the renewed aeti\it\ of the Blenheim bore at Moturoa.

•'or smile, time operations have been Greeted towards plugging the bore at ibout 261) feet, in order to test the ,t rata :il that depth. Lately oil has icen flowing intermittently, yielding ibout lour barrel' daily. Since last light tbe How became modi stronger, t. is esi i mated at twelve Parrels lail.v.

I N'DUSTB IA I, CON KEREXCE. WELLINGTON. May 18.

Further arguments for and against compulsory arbitration were advanced at to-day’s sitting of tbe National Industrial Conlei'eneo. Professor Belshaw (Auckland) suggested ilial Ibe question whether orbit ration should be compulsory or oplional should be lelt to tbe decision of Ibe majority ol workers and employer- coneci'iietl in that particular industry. Mr Cornwall regarded the employers’ proposals as an attack on tbe whole ol the working conditions, which tbe workers bad been suceexslul in obtaining by negotiating and with the assistance of court proposals. It was suggested the employers wanted to stii up trouble be)ore the election.

Mr M. E. S. Turner thought cm•lovers would be wise il they made la.ste slowly.

J. Cburelnmse said tbe workers are ot prepared to do away with the Li-hitration Court till something better ink its place. Mr 11. D. Aeland said primary pioneers have been always strongly

ippnsed to compulsion. 'Professor Belsliaw thought that, desijto a breakdown, the conference ebieved some results and he believed majority of the workers I',mimed

compulsion. It was tragic the conference found it impossible to reach unnnimitv on a vital question. If optional arbitration is going to be enforced on those not wanting it there was a danger of the whole system being wrecked. Mr IV. Bromley agreed with Professor Belsliaw.