DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 March 1930, Page 6

DOMINION ITEMS.

EFFECTS OF DEAR. MONEY

il Telegraph—Press Assn., Copyright

DUNEDIN. March 15,

Inquiries lead to the belief that ihc raising of the bank rale to 7 per cent did not catch Otago merchants unaware. They saw what was coming and promptly shortened their orders, and have since bought only to supply immediate requirements, with the result, that stored goods in some lines, arc beginning to grow scanty. Sufferers arc mostly New Zealand manufacturers, whose travellers have, in many eases, had to accept orders of half the usual size.

The next question in the high finance of wholesalers is as to whether the Government will take off the extra primage ol 1 per cent, at, the end o! this month, hut they are not losing any sleep over the matter, being fairly sure that if this I per cent is taken off in one way it will somehow or other go on in another.

STOLEN GOODS

LEGISLATION SUGGESTED

AVELLINGTON, Alarch 17

The annual conference of the New Zealand Federation of Drapers, Clothiers, and Boot Retailers, which has boon meeting in Wellington, lias concluded.

Avenues for the disposal of stolen goods were the subject of some discussion following on complaints from shopkeepers who had suffered at the hands of shoplifters. A proposal that legislation designed to make the disposal of stolon property more, difficult he introduced was considered. One proposal was that pawnbrokers should be required to retain new goods for six weeks before selling them. Another suggestion was that a cheek on fictitious names and addresses should Hie afforded hv requiring pawnbrokers to pay for new goods by posted” cheques. The election of officers resulted as follows:—President. Air D. S. Patrick; vico-prcsidcnt, Air J. H. F. Hamel; Council, Messrs T. Clark and H. Ives (boot retailers), A. Cutt and H. Hurst (South Island), A. Houston and J. Perry (North Island).

FARMING INTERESTS

CONFERENCE IN WELLINGTON

AVELLINGTON, Alarch 17

Next Monday a conference between representatives of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union autjFthe members of the British farmers’" party, at present touring the country; will take place at AVellington, for the purpose of discussing matters of Imperial interest to farmers. Air \Y. ). Poison, AI.P.. Dominion president tin* New Zealand Farmers’ Union, is to preside, mid it is expected that about 150 delegates will be present. ' I t is hoped that the conference will he opened By the new Goyernot'Ceneral,., . lord Bledisloe, who takes a very keen interest in all farming . questions. An official luncheon to the members ol the British' farmers’--party is to- he tendered on the same day by the New Zealand Farmers’ Union.

CA R RENTERS’ AWARD

WELLINGTON, March 18

The Arbitration Court is hearing the dispute of the Carpenters’, Joiners’ and Federated Association, in which a Dominion award is sought. The Union asking a. minimum wage for journeymen of £0 per week, and a reduction of the hours from 14 to 40 per week, and five and a half days to live days; casuals to receive 3s 3d per hour.

KILLED BY TR AAI

CYCLIST’S FATAL SAY FRY I

CHURCH, Alarch 18

As the i-'v-e It of injuries received v l, mi he collid'd with a tram-car in Colombo Stret, a cyclist, Leslie .James I mge, a young married man, died at the Christchurch Hospital today. Lange, while cycling down Colombo Street, on the loft side, found his way blocked by a tramcar. and swerved into the middle of the street to avoid it. Tie did not see another ear was approaching on the, other set of rails, and this tram struck him heavily. Lange wits alive when picked up. but his injuries were so grave that recovery was hopeless, lie died in less than two hours later.

MILITARY FORCE. AVELLINGTON. Alarch 18

It is understood that applications are being invited from members of the .Military Police Force at present training at Trenthain for service in Homo ato fill vacancies in the Civil Police Force at Samoa. Only about a dozen men are wanted.

Jl is anticipated that an early statement will he made by he Government in regard to the disposal ol the remainder of the. men in training, who were enlisted for sen-ice only in the event of their being required to maintain order in the mandated territory.