DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 April 1929, Page 6

DOMINION ITEMS.

PROGRESS LEAGUES

S.l. CONFERENCE

IBy Telegraph—Per Press Association.)

BLENHEIM, April 18

The annual conference of the South Island Progress Leagues met at Blenheim to-day, being accorded a civic welcome by the Mayor, Mr M. McKenzie, after which it proceeded to discuss a great number of remits, the most important of which was a scheme of group settlement of land, giving lease in perpetuity, without the right of sale. This was put forward on behalf of the Otago Expansion League, and was lengthily discussed. The scheme which bad as its root principle prevention of land speculation, was generally approved, but the delegates thought that time should lie given for the mature consideration of such a vital subject, and referred the proposal to the various Leagues for consideration. To-morrow delegates will be taken for a motor torn of Marlborough.

BIG SWAMP

TO BE DRAINED IN WAIKATO

HAMILTON, April 18

The draining ol the Woodland Swamp of 68,600 acres, close to Hamilton, was brought nearer at a conference of the Amalgamated Drainage Committee to-day. The meeting unanimously resolved to ask the Government to appoint a Board of Inquiry into a comprehensive drainage scheme, This important development work has long been delayed, the Government hitherto having refused to assist unless the small drainage boards would unite. United action now seem assured.

HOSPITAL FEES

INCREASE OPPOSED

GISBORNE, April 18

The Cook Hospital Board decided today to protest against .the increase of fees at. The, King George the Fifth Hospital, from nine to twelve shillings per day for children under sixteen, the proposal being* desertified as “outrageous,’,’, It was f stated the increase in hjjicj fee* ";milcj hifihjn an additional expense of five to six hundred pounds-per annum, .to the Cook Board.

HEALTH SERVICE

GOVERNMENT’S POLICY

HAMILTON, April 18

'The Minister of Health stated to-day that the Government is moving in the direction of making larger use of tho public hospitals for the ...training of young doctors in their post graduate courses in. clinical experience., This statement was njaclo at a conference witji the Waikato ..Hospital Board. ~ ~ • . i . ; -u Afterwards the Minister (had been asked what,was the policy of the present Government regarding, .a nationalised lieqlth j service. • Hon. Air Stal[worthy .paid, that this question, lops not yet Vigen considered bv the present Government.,

CHILD’S DEATH UNDER

ANAESTHETIC.

CHRISTCHURCH, April 18

Elsie Sumner, aged 6, residing at Woolston, died early this morning while under an anaesthetic at the Christchurch hospital.

MAN FOUND HANGED

CHRISTCHURCH, April 18

William Gibson, of Surrey Street, Limvood, was found hanging from a !' ‘‘ler in -i shed at the l'ear of his boii'o thi.-. a: ernoon. The deceased was a retired farmer, and was aged G2 rears.

DEAD IN OUTI-lOUSE,

CHRISTCHURCH, April IS

Roy Arthur 'Simpson, aged 37 years, residing on Bealey.Avcntfo.was found dead in an outhouse at. the hack of an hotel in the City to-day. At the inquest this evening a brother of the deceased said his brother had not been in good health since the war, but ho appeared to be in bis usual health On Wednesday evening. The inquest was'adjourned.

FALSE" INCOME TAX RETURNS TIMARU. April 18.

Henry Abbott, builder, of Oamaru, was to-day at the Magistrate’s Court, fined £75 and costs on each ol five charges of making false income tax returns. Defendant said be bad always furnished bis returns up to time, but he bad no knowledge of bookkeeping, and bad made up bis returns to the best of bis ability.

THE CENSORSHIP

AGAINST COMMUNIST LITERATURE.

WELLINTGON, April IS

A notice in the Gazette to-night announces the importation of the following publications is prohibited : “Elements of Politcal Education, (authors; A. Berdnikov and A.Svetloi). “ Party Training 1 Manual.” (published by the Communist Party of Australia, Sydney.) “ New Communist Manifesto of the Third Internationale ” (published by the Socialist Party of Victoria). “What is this Communist Party?” a pamphlet.