DOMINION NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 July 1928, Page 1

DOMINION NEWS.

(Ey Telegraph—Per Press Association

THREE DAY’S DOWNPOUR

WELLINGTON, July 24

The Meteorological Office advises that though rain has been widespread, with some very heavy falls and stormy weather in the southern part of Auckland province, fine and remarkably mild weather again has prevailed in Wellington. Rain was general as far south as Taranaki and Hawke’s Bay, but further south was confined mainly to the eastern district.

The cyclonic disturbance responsible for the unsettled conditions lias moved only slightly, but has lost much of its intensity. There has been a slight rise of pressure in all parts of the Dominion, with a general improvement of weather. The winds are still mainly from between east and north. In parts of the Bay of Plenty and in the Thames district easterly gales with heavy rain have prevailed, and rivers were flooded.

Following are some of the heaviest falls reported:—Te Ivawhata 290 points, Tairua 22G, Wailii and Mangaitima 680, Te Arolia 360. At Wailii during the past seventy-two hours 12.66 in. have fallen, and it was still raining this morning.

PUBLIC EXPENDITURE. ECONOMIST ON SITUATION. WELLINGTON, July 25. “ With our present commitments,” said Professor 13. E. Murphy, when delivering an address on taxation at the annual conference of the Now Zealand Farmers’ Union to-night, “ there is no prospect of taxation being appreciably reduced in New Zealand for many years, if at all. If we increase our wealth and tlio number of our productive citizens, wo may spread the present burden over a wider area, and thus reduce its average weight. That is all that we can reasonably hope for. The tendencies to greatly increased expenditure are not confined to New Zealand nor are our politicians specially to blame for it, as compared witli the politicians elsewhere. These tendencies are a world-wide phenomena, and arc due mainly to a combination of causes. The great depreciation in the value of money lias caused an increase in the cost of State administration. This growth lias been caused by a considerable increase in the absolute and relative cost of the war and of preparations for war also by a considerable extension of the population, and a great expansion in tho functions of the State, notably in the direction of new social services. The bane of New Zealand administration for tho last thirty odd years lias been the expenditure by the State to an extent, and in directions that appear to me to be extravagant. It seems to me that an even more urgent task at the present time is to curb and curtail the public expenditure than to reduce the taxation.”

MINER KILLED. WESTPORT, July 25. An accident, which unhappily terminated fatally, occurred in the Millerton mine to-day, when a middle-aged man, Thomas Middleton, was asphyxiated as tho result of a fall of coal. Deceased, who was a member of a party who recently secured a contract which had for its object the confining of the fire which at present is raging in the Second West Section of Hie mine, was engaged releasing coal from an improvised bin, the end of which collapsed, covering the unfortunate man with fireclay and coal. His working mates immediately set to work, and after about fifteen minutes lie was released. Artificial respiration was tried, and was continued for jibout an hour, without avail. Deceased was held in high esteem on the Hill. He was to have been married shortly.

Dr Campbell was early on the scene, but could only pronounce life extinct