NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 15 August 1917, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

THE MILITARY AGE. BE EEDUCED. m EXCEPT FOE VOLUNTEERS. WELLINGTON", August 15. 'A furore of indignation throughout the country at the proposed reduction of the enlistment age to nineteen has convinced the Government of the futility of asking. Parliament to authorise the conscription of youths below the present military age. ' The Defence Minister has therefore been constrained to amend his original proposal, and, when the amendment to the Military Service Act is presented to the House, it will in all probability be found that the conscription age is left untouched, but that in view of military contingencies provision will be made for voluntary enlistment of youths between 19 and 20 years of age.

THE UNION COMPANY MERGER. A PROTEST AND A PROPOSAL .; WELLINGTON, this day. The Wellington Central Chamber of Commerce has forwarded a letter, to the Prime Minister regretting the Government is unable to prevent the merger of the Union Company with the P. and O. Company, and urging the Government to acquire a controlling interest in the proposed Dominion Shipping Co. as being the only apparent safeguard for the future of New Zealind's trade interests, which depend on frequent reliable services and reasonable freights AUSRALIAN STRIKE INDUSTRIES AND SHIPPING HELD UP WELLINGTON, this day. From latest advices from Sydney it appears that the Labour trouble in New South Wales has reached a grave crisis. The strike has extended considerably, and workers now involved include employees on the railways, transport, tramways, waterside workers, coalminers, and a section of the seamen. As a consequence practically all industries and shipping are held up. The trouble has found a sympathetic response to a small extent in Queensland but there is no disaffection in Victoria. There has been so far no confirmation of rumours of serious conflict.

INTERCOLONIAL SHIPPING SUSPENDED. " WELLINGTON, this day. It is officially stated that owing to labour trouble in Australia the intercolonial sfearner sailings from Wellington are suspended in the meantime. CHILDREN CHARGED WITH MURDER. THE LEGAL POSITION. AUCKLAND, August 13. In the charge to the Grand Jury, the Chief Justice referred to the charge of murder against two boys, Ernest Claude Gibbons and Richard Reihana, in connection with the death of a little girl Irene Ellen Quinh, aged six, who was drowned on June 19th, at Kirikiri, near Thames, it being alleged that one or two of the boys forced her into the stream. His Honour said the law provided that when an offender was under seven he was incapable of committing a crime. In the case before the ;jurj', one child was seven years and four days old when the girl was found in the river, so that had her death occurred five days earlier, he could not have -ween charged with the crime. The law also provided that in cases where an offender was between seven and 14, the onus was on the Crown to show that the offender knew his act was wrong. This aspect of the case would apply to the Maori boy, who was not yet nine. Personally, he was not aware that there was anything to lead the jury "To the conclusion, that the Maori boy was

conscious of wrong. The Grand Jury reduced the charge to manslaughter. TOUCHY MEDICAL STAFF. RESIGN IN A BOARD. NEW PLYMOUTH, this day. At the Hospital. Board meeting today the resignations of Dr. Walker, Medical Superintendent, and other members of the medcial staff, were received. This is the outcome of longstanding frietion brought to a head lately by the Eoard ordering an enquiry into the suspension of a junior. ■war, tantamount to a vote of want of of confidence in the-staff. Don't be anxious little mother; All your needless fears dispel; Tho' your darling seems to smother jgtrln the morning she'll be well. II you'll keep her warm and cheerful, And all iome-made dopes abjure— J>rt't be timid, tired and tearful, C ■* Grant Peppermint - Cure