DOMINION ITEMS

Hokitika Guardian, 25 July 1931, Page 5

DOMINION ITEMS

AUCKLAND STORM. HOADS UNDER WATER, fßy Telegraph—Per Press Association) AUCKLAND, July 24.\ Very stormy weather continued today, and many of the roadjs are under water in the country areas. Tiie main road to tihe north is blocked by the flooding of the Hoteo River, and several service cars have liad to cancel trips. No great amount of dam. age has been done^|-. [

THEFTS BY HOTEL COOK

WELLINGTON, July 24,

Janies Da Mont fort, after being out of employment for some time, obtained a. position as chef at an hotel at Palmerston North. He stole 81bs of bacon, 81bs of roast beef, 4Jbs of steak, one chicken, and lib of tea, which he endeavoured to send to his wife and child at Wellington.

He was to-day fined £5 by Mr E. Page, S.M., in default 14 days’ imprisonment.

SEAMEN CONVICTED. .

FOR LOOTING EIRE SALVAGE

WELLINGTON, July 24

Leslie Harper, seaman and labourer; 1 and William Henry Morgan, seaman, were fined, to-day, for theft of champagne, tobacco and other goods, while Harper was engaged in the cleatt-up after a fire.

The Probation Officer did not recommend probation, saying the offence' wap really looting. •Harper was fined 010, or a months imprisonment, and to repay the value of the wine (£3). Morgan was fined £5 or 14 days’ imprisonment. HARD TIMES. CHRISTCHURCH July 24. Men, women and children, packed as closely that it was impossible to pass through the crowd —patients, some on crutches, others with bandaged limbs vainly endeavouring to get in women with babies in their arms struggling to get out into the fresh air—clerks and nurses being bumped apd pushed as they tried to carry out -their duties. Such was the picture at the Hospital. Board’s office this morning when applicants for relief were waiting to go before the Benevolent Committee.

The office accommodation, large enough Tor all normal purposes, was hopelessly inadequate to hand.'e the crowd which waited. Outside, in the courtyard, men Waited in the sunshine but, in so doing, they delayed • their chance of being dealt with. There was no disorder. n I tT n l I hnlllwarJ dUCIVIL SERVICE SALARIES. WELLINGTON, July 24. On his attention being drawn to a newspaper paragraph, dealing with .State salaries, Mr Forbes stated definitely that- there was no alteration whatever in the policy regard ng the granting of annual salary increments throughout the public service. Annual scale increments were being granted in accordance with the usual practice. It was quite true there was jao general re-grading ■jdiis year, but it was to be noted that such general re-grading of various State services was by statute due at intervals of not more than five years, and the question of a general re grading of the service would not require consideration till 1934. Every effort was being made to reduce expenditure. Retirements of officers had been proceeded with and new appointments had been curtailed to an absolute minimum.

SUDDEN DEATH

EEILDING,, July 24

William Eccles, of Palmerston N., a motor salesman, dropped dead at a stock sale to-day. He had been suffering from a heart ailment. He leaves a widow and two daughters.

UNEMPLOYED WORKERS’ MOVEMENT.

WELLINGTON, July 23

As there are approximately 50,000 unemployed in New Zealand with the prospect of more as time goes on, the Unemployed Workers’ Movement ask for all unemployed and; employed workers to demonstrate on August Ist. against unemployment, starvation and the present' system which produces same. The Unemployed Workers Movement hopes to secure the co-operation of all workers to make the demonstration a success. With successful demonstrations more power can he added to their fight against low rates of pay, and evictions, of workers from their homes. The movement urges that all unemployed must be organised, stating that the unemployed when, un-organisec( nre a danger, hut when organised in ‘ the Unemployed, Workers’ Movement stand • four square against eviction, scab wages, wage cuts, and stand for unemployment insurance, at the expense of industry and large land interests; solidarity with all classes of workers, to obtain, better conditions, and an international demonstration against war.