DOMINION NEWS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 85, 9 April 1912, Page 8

DOMINION NEWS.

(Per Press Association!)

Wellington, April G

Commissioner William John Richards has been appointed by General Booth as the new territorial commander for New Zealand which from the date of Mr Richards 'arrival will rank as a separate territory responsible to the international headquarters at London instead of being, as heretofore, part of the Australasian command. Mr Richards has been for some time in command of the whole of .South Africa. Ho has had considerable colonial experience. lie will have headquarters at Wellington, where the headquarters building is being negotiated for. Tauranga, April 6. Alexander Hay while assisting to sink a well at Maunganui yesterday was covered by a fall of earth and died before he was extricated. He leaves a widow and two children. Feilding, April 6. A party of motorists were returning from Taikorea yesterday evening when the axle of the car broke. The car ran into a ditch and threw out the occupants. The driver, Morris, received a broken shoulder. The benzine was spilt on the grass which was accidentally ignited by a man looking with a lighted match for his lost spectacles. The car was completely destroyed. It was worth about £250 and was uninsured. .; Carterton, April G. . A fire occurred in Pembroke Stroe; at 1.30 a.m. on Friday in a house owned by V. Clarkson and occupied by Cuthbert W. Poridge. The; building and contents are a total los3, includ ing £27 in cash and notes. Poridgt was by himself at the time, his wif' and family being in Wellington. H.< escaped in night attire. The insurance: are £2OO on the house and £IOO on the furniture*. Gisborne, April 6.. The official opening of the railway tOtoko, 31 miles from Gisborne, took place to-day, the ceremony being per formed by-Mr. W. D. S. MacDonald. Minister for Public Works. An excurcion train left town at 9.30 a.m. carrying members of the Chamber of Commerce, and representative people. A ribbon was cut at Waikohu, the late railway terminus, and congratulaton speeches wore delivered on arrival at Choko. Wellington, April G. The annual conference of Trade:: Council delegates opened to-day. Mr M. J. Reardon, in welcoming the delegates, said the deliberations were of an important character, one of the, principal items being the unib scheme. The Hon. Paul was electee chairman and Mr W. T. Pool secretary. It was decided to. invite the Minister for Labour to attend the conference, also that after transacting formal business the convention adjourn in order to allow delegates to attend the unity conference. The delegates to the unity, Trades Council and Political Labour Party conferences then met as a body. Mr Paul was elected chairman unanimously ol the joint conference and in a short address asked "Why are we divided?" "Why," said he, "should we not bi united? We want to make this an industrial paradise. We want to set every man and woman in the community living in decent comfort. While they wished Parliament to reflect the aims of the people of the country they were divided, and reactionary influences ' had repersentation which, far outweigh their importance, and he hoped they would be able' to get up a common platform which would bring into actual being their aims and aspirations. There had never been a more important conference in New Zealand. They might in the next few months have the best Government or the worst Government New Zealand ever had. On such an important occasion they should not be divided. He sincerely hoped that in the next Parliament they would havo the representation and influence their numbers entitled them to. Tl'ie conference went into committee to discuss a constitution.

Mr Leys, in his presidential address at the Libraries Conference, advocated the organisation of travelling libraries under the direction .of the State. He considered> the American system of a library commission or board the best way of dealing.with the matter. He trusted the conference would bring before the Government the wants of the country districts with respect to libraries both for adults and for schools. The delegates to the conference were formally welcomed to the city. The balance-sheet showed a credit of £4l. Mr 1). McLaren, ex-M.P., has announced himself as a candidate for the Wellington Mayoralty. , Palmerston, April 6. The seventh annual conference of the New Zealand Provincial Grand Black Chapter (Orange Lodge), has opened at Palmerston. Tho, reports show a steady increase in membership. The preceptories increased from five to fifteen during "the past six years. Mr Thos. Dandson (Hastings) was elected R.W.G.M.R.; Mr Johnston (Dunedin) G.D.M., and Mr F.. Melksham (Gisborne) Grand Chaplain. Resolutions were passed of loyalty to the King and the Protestant Crown. An expression of heartfelt thanks to Unionist' M.P.'s for. opposing, the Home Rule i>ill and of sympathy with the brethren in Ireland in their light. The annual meeting of the Grand Orange Lodge took place to-day. A deputation from the local Ministers' Association welcomed the lodge and wished it a successful year of service. An application for a new lodge l charter from Eltham was agreed to.