DOMINION NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 June 1928, Page 3

DOMINION NEWS.

(By Telegraph—P.or Press Association

COUNTIES’ DEAIAND

FOR SUBSTITUTE TAXES.

HAAIILTON, June 21

Resolving that the cost of maintenance of rural roads should be provided by a motor fuel tax, without recourse to rates, tho Auckland Rural Counties Association have decided to urge th Government immediately to adopt this system in respect to the main highways and to gradually apply the same to all rural roads. The Counties’ Conference also resolved that all arterial main highways should be nationalised. It further resolved: “That for the purpose of presenting the surface of roads, including the main highways, this Conference is of opinion that statutory power be given to County Councils to make by-laws restricting tho speed of motor vehicles. It was resolved .that the present method of providing for hospitals and charitable aid by means of rates on land is obsolete and inequitable, this Conference urges the adoption of a system conforming to the principles of -raising revenue for general purposes.

It also was resolved that the cost of charitable aid and unemployment relief should be met wholly by the Government, but that the funds should he distributed by the Hospital Boards as at present.

SPEECH BY PREAIIER

PALAIERSTON N., June 22

“ The country has gone through a difficult period, but it is not the only country in tho Britsili Empire that lias come through a trying time,” said Hon. J. G. Coates at Manawatu A. and P. Association annual smoko last night. Moreover, the deflation of world prices tells its own story of every country. There has been a thorough overhaul of tho position and ft is realised that cooperation is necessary between all classes. The Dominion is passing satisfactorily through its present difficulties, as is proved by facts and figures, and for the life of me I cannot understand anyone who attempts to disprove that is coining through with flying colours. Referring to the improvement in banking figures, the Premier said il could be seen the country was returning to a normal state. Some might ask why the Government should no* bring down the hank rate of interest, but, after all, the banks were commercial institutions, and it would bo a bad day for the country if ever the Government had power to regulate commercial matters, particularly banking. The country’s credit was satisfactory and the dominion had got the first loan for many years at 41 per cent. That indicated that the interest rate should not rise, but have a downward tendency. It was important that the rate of interest should be at the - lowest ~possible cost particularly for developing the country.

POLITICAL. AUCKLAND, Juno 22. Mr Geo. B-aildon (Mayor of Auckland) declined an invitation to contest Grey Lynn seat against the sitting Labour member. Mr F. N. Bartram.

LABOUR LEADER. TAURANGA, June 22. Air H. E. Holland (Leader of the Opposition) addressed a meeting here last night to a large attendance! He first dealt with the land question on the lines of his Tapawera speech, combating the suggestion that reduced wages were necessary to enable primary producers to compete successfully in the British markets He said that tlie success of farmers depended upon a. high standard of living for tho rank, atid file people. When wages were forced down in Britain the sale of New Zealand primary products was adversely affected. The volume of exports from New Zealand was conditioned by the influx of imports that in its turn depended upon the ability of the people of New Zealand to consume imports. This was only possible when the living standards of the people in tlie mass were adequate. Moreover, when wages and salaries were reduced in New Zealand itself, tlie local market for the primary products was depreciated. Mr Holland said the Labour Party’s policy in relation to the problem of unemployment would not take the form or relief works. They would put in hand :tlie construction of necessary and economic railways and also enter upon a scheme of road construction that would provide long overdue access to agricultural and pastoral settlements, especially* back-blocks areas. After the meeting Mr Holland was entertained at supper by the local branch of the Labour Party. Speeches of welcome and expressions of loyalty to the party and Air Holland as leader were made.

A SIDELIGHT. DUNEDIN, June 22. In connection with the Jervis Bay mutiny, Robert line has just received a letter posted at Hobart, from his son, who with his wife and child, is a passenger on the steamer, stating in part: “They are fine boats and should have paid hut for the irritation tactics adopted. Now that Mr Jfruce has sold them, the men aro all squea’s. One never hears children perform as they do. They have hinted at various things, lint we are getting along nieelv.”

VERDICT OF SUICIDE. NAPIER, June 22. A verdict of death by poison, selfadministered, was returned at the inquest to-day on Lionel James Donovan. farmer of Forded, Vangaiiui, who died in the Napier Hospital early this morning, after being found in a room at the Masonic Hotel yesteiday afternoon suffering from the effects of poison, a bottle of which was found in the room. The evidence showed deceased was on a holiday in Napier.

TRAM ACCIDENT. WELLINGTON, June 22. An Island Bay bound tram this morning collided with a motor-lorry backing out of Herald Street. The front of the car was smashed and the motorman Hurley had a narrow escapg but was hospitalled with cuts ani slight concussion.

INQUEST VERDICT. DUNEDIN, June 22. At an inquest on the hotly of Edward Hay, single, 45, who died as the. result of an overdose of sulphonal tabloids, the Coroner drew attention to the menace of both sulphonal and veronal, if these tabloids were taken, otherwise than according to the medical proscription. Dr Ritchie said doses that brought dangerous results varied according to the individual cases. Tn some instance thirty grains (six tabloids) had been known to kill. In another case the danger point was reached at fifty, Sixty, or eighty grains. P was a drug that acted very slowly, and no doubt deceased had been taking it. It should not Ive sold without n definite warning. It was risky to sell one hundred, at once. A verdict was returned that deceased died as the result of an overdose.