DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 February 1931, Page 5

DOMINION ITEMS.

POLICY STATEMENT. POSTPONED BY PRIME MINISTER, (By Telegraph—Per Press Association) WELLINGTON., February 5. With his time completely taken up on matters in connection with the earthquake, the Prime 'Minister, Mr Forbes, will not, now be in a position to announce the measures the Government considers necessary to meet the country’s economic difficulties until next week. Mr Forbes had originally intended to make the Government’s proposals known either to-day or to-morrow, but ever since Tuesday’s calamity, his sole attention, as well as that of his colleagues, has been concentrated on the emergency relief measures and other matters they have had to deal with as a result of the unexpected happening in Hawke’s Bay. Six of his colleagues are in the devastated areas. Several questions in connection with the statement, have yet to be finalised. Mr Forbes said to-day. however, that he hoped to be in a position to make it next week. mt. Tasman climbed. FIRST EASTERN ASCENT. HAWERA, February 5. The distinction of being the first climber to make the ascent of Mount Tasman by tbe eastern arete, and also of being the first New Zealand party to reach the crest, belong to Rod S.vme, of Hawern. Mr L. Ryrant, of Wellington, who returned home this week after a visit to the Southern Alps, stated that tbe pair were without guides, and waited at the Haast Hut from December 23 to January 29. Before reaching their objective, six previous starts were made, each being foiled by alpine storms. The ascent and descent from the Haast Hut, including the traverse of Mt. Tenderfeet. took fifteen and a-hnlf hours. Only four other parties have been known to reach the peak of Tasman, which is regarded as the most difficult climb in the Southern Alps. MUNICIPAL CONFERENCE x uSTPONED. WELLINGTON. February 6. The Executive Committee of the Municipal Association has decided in view of the present national calamity to defer holding the Municipal Conference till' 1932. The Conference was to have been held at Rotorua next month.