DOMINION NEWS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 10, 12 May 1915, Page 2

DOMINION NEWS.

THE DRINK QUESTION. Pkb Press Association. Wellington, May 11. An important announcement was made by the president of the New Zealand Moderate League at a farewell I unction tendered to Mr N. E. Pearson )>v Ids fellow-members ol the Central Executive yesterday. The president stated that the League would depntationise the Government as soon as arrangements could be made for the Prime Minister to receive them, and they would ask that the whole of their suggestions of reform should he carried into effect, and, in order that the matter might receive the most careful investigation they would urge the immediate setting up of an impartial Royal Commission of Inquiry. 'I he prominence given to the liquor question by events rising nut of the war in Europe would mean that the subject would now be much more thoroughly studied than formerly. I The president said the fact that the British Government had decided to entertain the suggestion of prohibition, in spite of an apparent need for drastic action,-and instead were legislating for better regulation and control, was the strongest possible endorsement of [the moderate viewpoint as propounded • by the league.

WESTPORT HARBOR. Westport, May 11. Messrs J. H. Greenwood and Holleir were to-day unanimously re-appointed chairman and deputy-chairman respectively of the Westport Harbor Board. On the recommendation of its engineer, Mr C. N. Boult, the board adopted a works policy extending over six years of a total estimated expenditure of £269,000. LIQUOR IN NO-LICENSE AREA. Dunedin, May 11. At Balclutha to-day, bef's*e Mr H. A. Young, S.M., Ben Wise was convicted on a charge of keeping liquor for sale in a no-license district, and was fined £25, with costs 7s. interesting to cyclists. Auckland, May 11. The Auckland Automobile Association is asking the Government what its intentions are with regard to the assets of the Continental Tyre Company, the affairs of which are now being administered by the Government. The association says if makes large purchases of tyres, but does not want to support any German institution, and does not propose to buy Continental tyres if the money so obtained is to be kept in trust and handed over to the Germans after the war. CLOSING A WIRELESS STATION. Auckland, May 11. The Auckland wireless station on tbo ’ p of the Auckland Post Office has ~i closed down, as the authorities consider that the powerful station at Awanui, in the North of Auckland, which is in direct telegraphic and telephonic communication with Auckland, is sufficient for all radio purposes here. 'l'lie Auckland instruments are not to be dismantled for the present.

NEW RAILWAY ENGINES. Auckland. May 11. The ten first-class Baldwin railway locomotives which were ordered by the New Zealand Government in January last from Messrs Barnham, Williams and oC., of Philadelphia, are on hoard the steamer Jnvertay, which arrived f-t Auckland last week, and which continued her voyage to Wellington today. The contract for the manufacture of the engines, the Minister for Railways, the Hon. AY. H. Berries, pointed out to-day, was completed within the stipulated time, but their arrival in the Dominion was delayed, in the first place, owing to delay in obtaining shipping space and by the protracted voyage of the Tnvertay. The engines will be fitted up at the Petone Railway AVorkshops under the superintendence of an expert, who has been 'sent out by the manufacturers for the purpose, and who arrived in New Zealand some weeks ago. The engines, which are costing £3229 each, will be distributed throughout the North Island lines as circumstances require.