NEW ZEALAND NEWS

Taihape Daily Times, 30 May 1918, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND NEWS

WAS AND SHIPPING. STATEMENT BY MINISTER. MASTERTON. May 28. The Minister of Agriculture attended the Wellington Provincial Farmers' Union Conference to-day. Speaking in regard to various remits the Minister said it was impossible to refer seriously to hydro-electric power schemes until the termination of the war. In reference to shipping matters, he said the Government intended using its power to import wool and corn sacks at reasonable prices, and was doing everything possible to secure transport for produce. The whole matter of imports and exports was controlled by the Imperial .authorities, and, owing to' the position' thjat had arisen, only essential goods we ; re likely to be imported. Fencing wire could be procured only from Amercia," and there was insufficient shipping to carry it. Every possible facility would be given for importing machinery for cleaning wool, while the Agricultural Department would establish places in both glands for the 'treatment of seedy wool. In regard-to the price of bread, the Minister said the Board of Trade had power to revise the price as it thought fit, when asked to do so. Continuing, he said no retailer was allowed to sell second grade wheat at a greater profit than 15 per ,ce-nt., and. he denied that any wheat imported from Australia had. been sold as fowl wheat.

GREY BY-ELECTION": ■ MR HOLLAND WINS. MAJORITY OF 210. GREYMOUTH, May 29. The election for the Grey seat today was conducted in a most orderly fashion. Motor cars were in great evidence, with colours flying everywhere. Ten minutes after the poll closed returns commenced to come in, and Mr. Coates held a commanding lead until returns from the mines came in, which put a different complexion on the result: _ Final figures: Holland (Labour) 2853 Coates (Liberal) 2643 Majority .210 Moonlight return to come, but it is of no consequence, There are 103 absent voters' permits, which cannot alter the result. Mr. Holland, in returning thanks, said as soon as Mr Webb was a free man he would resign the seat. Mr. Paul Walker also spoke. The party commences a political campaign at Hokitika to-night, in the Labour interest, and will continue it throughout New Zealand. •fherc were 900 less votes polled today. Webb's majority was reduced by 766.

SICK SOLDIERS AND LIQUOR. AUCKLAND, May 29. The New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association passed a resolution that men undergoing treatment should wear blue uniform and that anyone supplying liquor to men so dressed should be rigorously dealt with; also that it be suggested to the Defence Department that it should formulate a scheme whereby returned men becoming addicted to liquor could be suitably placed under control and discipline, to give them a chance to firid their feet and regain their lost willpower.