General News.

Levin Daily Chronicle, 9 March 1918, Page 4

General News.

Mr li. J. Howard, a prominent Cliristchureh Labour leader, in referring to the cable messages regarding tlie inter 1 Allied Labour Conference, said to a representatives of the "Press" that the New Zealand Labour Party had received an invitation to send its opinions on questions to be discussed at the Conference, and this had been availed of. The senders of the invitation had regretted that tkey had not been able to invite the party to send a •delegate in sufficient time to allow of this being done. Mr Howard continued that it was probable that if the Hon. W. Masscy and Sir Joseph Ward went to England, Labour also would send a delegate to the Old country, although it was possible that the authorities would not be supplied with the name of any Such appointee.

The Minister of Defence, fciir James Allen, has received the following cable message: "Summary of .work of .New Zealand Division for February: Division remained in the line on the same I front. Small raids were carried out, re- j suiting in the capture of a few prisoners. The Division is now out of the line training. There is nothing further to report." "■ A cable has been received by Base Records from London announcing the j award of the Military Cross to Lieut. I Hugh Johnston for gallantry on the ; Held of action. His next-of-kin is his ; wife Mrs E. S. Johnston, Kaka Koad, Taihape. A Military Medal has also been awarded to 11. C. Krogh, a New Zeaiaudcr at present serving with the Imperial Forces (King Edward's Horse). As he is not a member of the N.Z.E.F., his next-of-kin is unknown at Base Records. Guide Upson,, at the North Egmont Hostelry, who has made over 100 ascents of Mount Egmont, describes a remarkable change on the summit at his latest asccnt on Tuesday. There are now- deep crevices across the crater. Somo appear to be bottomless, allording.a wonderful sight. Another new feature is that, although the day was misty and there was little sun, the whole crater was running streams of water, seeming to indicate heat beenath. The recent earthquake also disturbed the rocks. On a station, near Eeatlierston, the whole of the shearing operations this season have been supervised and controlled by a woman. She had the fleeces brought to the table for her. by a woman "■^leece-0. ,, The wool "was perfectly graded, and as financial results proved, most advantageously classed. The lady took lessons and qualified at -Masterton last year in wool-classing. Besides this she is a qualilied export with oil engines and shearing machines. This season in the slied, besides doing the wool-classing, she attended to the machinery., and kept the shearing blades in order for the shearers. Says the liangitikei "Advocate": — A speedy motor car that hails from the other side of the Tararua's and bears on the front the legend "Here I come," "and on the rear "There I go," has been much in evidence on the roads of the Rangitikei lately. It was certainly somo car and could show a clean pair of heels to most on the road, but on the day of the Wanganui trot, it came to grief on the Turakina road in an effort to pass a new "Hup" that could go some. Beyond a. broken wheel the car escaped damage, but the occupants described various graceful curves in 1 the air and landed in a fine patch of gorse. No bones were broken but it is said they somewhat resembled porcupines with the spines reversed when they crawled out. The execution of Eggers, the Kuilanga murderer, has been fixed for 8 o'clock on Tuesday morning.

i Alluding to the result of the Wellington North election, the Prime Minister . stUtcd on Thursday night: — '' People have got into the ' habit of speaking of Mr Holland as the Labour candidate and of his supporters as the Labour Party. The term in this case is' altogether wrong, and conveys a wrong impression. There were many hundreds of loyal and thinking workers who voted for Mr Luke, because they realise the necessity of maintaining New Zealand's efforts in the war, because they know that the National Government has done well right through the war period, and becauso they know Mr Luke will worthily represent them. On tho other hand, there, were many who voted for Mr Holland who are not workers in tho sense in which the term is generally used, but who manage to live without soiling their hands. Tho complete figures are very- interesting, and will give Wellingtonians food for thought for many a long day to come.''

In pursuance of the policy previously announced, the 1 Defence authorities have fixed March 25th. as the last day upon which employers and others may lodge applications for leave for members of the 37th Reinforcements. After that date only urgent applications, which were unforeseen, will bo considered. The linal date up to which leave may be requested for members of later reinforcements have been fixed as follows: —33 th Reinforcements, 22nd April; 3£ltli Reinforcements, 20th May; 10th Reinforcements, 17tli June.