DOMINION NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 May 1928, Page 1

DOMINION NEWS.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.

DAYLIGHT BAKING

WELLINGTON, May 27. Mr Wright, Minister of Labour, states that a conference will he held early next month by representatives of the Master Bakers’ and Pastry-cooks’ Association and the Bakers’ and Pastrycooks’ Industrial Union of Workers, with regard to arrangements for daylight baking, and proposed in the hill that was introduced in the House last session by Mr Peter Fraser, but which was not allowed to proceed, hut it was arranged that a conference was to he summoned by tho Minister in tho recess. There has been a difficulty regarding the representation of the nonemploying bakers on this conference, hut it is expected, says the Minister, that their interests will he adequately safeguarded by the master bakers.

FARMERS’ VIEWS. INVERCARGILL, May 26. At the annual Provincial Conference ol the Southland Branch of the Farmers’ Union, Mr D. Dickie (Gore), was elected President. The report and balance sheet showed tho branch to lie in a thoroughly sound position, both as regards finance and membership. Among the remits adopted were the to flowing:— That this Union urges adhetcnce to the present system of land tax ; that it seeks a fairer distribution of the petrol tax ; that it demands that the Daylight Saving Act he not replaced upon the Statute Book; that it condemns a fiat tax on motor vehicles; that it supports an amendment to ’ tho Motor Vehicles Act so That farmers carting their own produce be exempted from having to pay heavy traffic licenses; that the Government bo requested to remove the duty of £1 on cement; that the Government he urged to- pass legislation to control the rate of interest at a figure which would bring the individual borrower into line in an equality of service to the State; that the Union protested against the price of superphosphate in the South Island; that tlic next Board be urged to take the necessary steps to have all lamb and mutton leaving New Zealand carry one brand; that this Union considers the Arbitration Court to he arbitrary in its a plication, unjust in principle, and that in the interest of the farmers generally, it should he amended ; that it be recommended that no teacher ho appointed in charge of a school without having served at least one year under a thoroughly qualified head teacher; that tin’s Union suggests that the Government be asked to remove the protective duties from all of the industries that have, been established ten years in this country ; also affirming the principle of the legislative working for free, trade within the Empire.

PICTON SCHOOL DESTROYED. WELLINGTON, May 25. At an early hour this morning tho Alain State School at Picton was totally destroyed by fire, together with the contents. The building was erected fifty years ago. and comprised nine rooms. The school war memorial roll of honour of ex-pupils who served in the Great War was also lost. The detached infant school escaped. Picton has been agitating for very many years for a new school, in view of the ago and unsuitability of the old structure. ’Hie fire- therefore is regarded by residents as a timely if somewhat expensive solution of a longstanding trouble.

SAFE-BLOWERS AT AUCKLAND. AUCKLAND, May 26. An unsuccessful attempt to blow open with explosives a safe in the premises of H. and W. Hellahy, Ltd., Ini tellers, at Takapuua, was made by burglars early this morning.

BYRD’S DOMINION BASE. DUNEDIN, May 26. At a meeting of ilie Harbour Board the Secretary reported that he had communicated with Flight Commander Byrd, offering facilities of tho port as a fitting-out base for his expedition before ft proceeded to Ross Sea, in connection with the projected -South Polar expedition. Commander Byrd replied lie was aware that the port of Otago had been associated with the expeditions of Captains Scott and Shakleton. and he would probably call there. The Secretary added that Commander Byrd would likely come here with the whaler Larsen when it returned in November.

TWO HOUSES BURNT. AUCKLAND, May 28. Two modern bungalows in Edeiulale, one owned and occupied by J. T. Crowley, and the other owned and occupied by R. W. Parker, were destroyed by fire early on Sunday morning. Carrying two young children, Crawley and his wife escaped in their night attire. He aroused Parker, who escaped with his wife and three children, also Mrs Parker, sour., with only the clothing they were able to seize. Both houses and contents were insured.

THEFT OF BEER. CHRISTCHURCH, May 28. At the Magistrate’s Court to-day Albert Lawrence, aged SS, a labourer, was fined £3, in default fourteen days for stealing seven bottles of ale and one of whisky, the property of Patrick Stephen Lawrence, proprietor of the Club Hotel. The police said accused was the uncle of the licensee and had been in tho habit of working in the hotel. Yesterday ho was seen to get through a, window, enter the bar and steal the liquor while the licensee was absent. V KETCH WRECKED. AUCKLAND, May 28.

Lying bottom up with both masts snapped off, and in a considerably battered condition, the 13 tons ketch Glenae owned by Mrs Rose Couldrey, of Stafford Road, Northcote, was found wrecked on the banks of particularly treacherous rocks off the mouth of Puhoi River north of Waiwera, early on Saturday evening. Fears are entertained for the safety of Captain A. H. Mitchell, master of the vessel and O. T. McLeod mate, who comprised the crew. The wreck was discovered by Captain R. Collins, master of xlie schooner Jane Gifford, which was at- the time running for shelter to Woiwera, Masters of coastal vessels state the weather was exceptionally rough on Friday and Saturday and the seas in the Hauraki Gulf were tho heaviest experienced for some considerable time. Numerous small craft put into hays along tbe coast in order to escape the strong easerly galewhich at times was blowing with almost hurricane force and was driving before it great white crested breakers. There is a possibility that Mitchell andMcLeod managed to land on one of the small Islands in Whangaparaoa Bay.