DOMINION NEWS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 3, 4 May 1915, Page 7

DOMINION NEWS.

CAS SUFFOCATION. Per Tress Association. Wellington, -May 3. Mr G. W. Riddell, S.M., opened an inquest this afternoon concerning the I death of the live victims of gas suffocation on Friday - iter hearing evidence of the finding of the bodies on the lines already reported the inquirywas adjourned till next Monday. INTERCOLONIAL FREICHTS. Dunedin, May 3. It was reported in commercial circles to-day that an increase in intercolonial freights is to be looked for in the near future. It is stated, however, that the general rates in international cargoes, except in one or two special instances, are unchanged. The only alteration likely to take place is" in the freights on produce which is being carried at rates that, in proportion to its bulk and to cost of handling, are considerably lower than those charged on ordinary merchandise. MEN ON RAILWAY WORKS. The secretary of the Auckland Railway League, Mr H. R. Hunt, has compiled, from the Labor Journal, the following figures showing the co-op-erative labor employed on Auckland and adjoining railway works during the month of March : Kaihur railway extension, 118. Kawakawa-Hokianga, 23. Whangarei-Southwards, 226. North Island Main Trunk, 296. Huntly-Awaroa, 129. Waiuku branch, 101. The Maunganui-Taneatua, 362. Waihi-Tauranga, 89. Gisborne-Motu, 60. Napier-Gisborne; North end, 248; south end, 2. Stratford Main Trunk: East end, 149; west/end, 221. Raetihi-Main Trunk, 164. Opunake branch, 39. Total: North Island, 2227; South island, 508. {{rand total, 2735. The men who were employed on the public roads in the, North and South Islands were as follows: North Island, 2459. South Island, 669. Total, 3128. EXPORT OF BUTTER. Wellington, May 3. An prdor-in-Council was issued today prohibiting, under section 17 of the Customs Act, 1913, and section 24 of the Regulation of Trade and Commerce Act, 1914, the export of butter from the Dominion to any destination, save with the consent of the Minister of Customs, ssuch consent to be granted only on the making of the exporter or by a responsible agent, servant or representative of the exporter of a statutory declaration as> to the ultimate destination of the consignment to bo exported. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. Wellington, May 3. The annual meeting of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce elected Mr James Macintosh president and Mr H. W. Waterhouse vice-president. The .Chamber carried a resolution urging that a mail van be attached to the night express train to Auckland instead of the afternoon train, to cope especially with parcels work. The Chamber also decided to draw th© attention of the Government to the fact that persons doing business between Great Britain and New Zealand are subjected to double taxation in tlie matter of payment of the income-tax, a disability which it was considered pressed unduly on such traders. It was resolved to support the Taumarunui Chamber's proposals for forming a national highway between Wellington and Auckland. MORTGAGES EXTENSION ACT. In the opinion of the Attorney-Gen-eral (Hon A. L. Herdmnn) it is almost certain that there will be some modification of the Mortgages Extension Act brought before the House in the coming session. "This legislation," Mr Herdmaii informed a reporter, "was passed to protect persons who found themselves in difficulties because of the stringency of money caused by the war. The case of the person who is really in difiiculties on account of the abnormal conditions prevailing will, of course, still havo .the best consideration of the Government, but experience has shown that some persons who are possessed of ample means with which to pay off their mortgages are taking advantage of the Act, and instead of paying off their mortgages are making use of tho money in other ways, and securing the advantage of the higher rates of interest which are at present obtainable." wmmmmmmummmmmmm