NEW ZEALAND NEWS

Taihape Daily Times, 31 March 1919, Page 4

NEW ZEALAND NEWS

THE RAILWAYMEN. IMPORTANT CONCESSIONS. WELLINGTON, March 29. Mr R. Hampton, president of the Amalgamated Society of Railway 'Servants, questioned regarding the results of the Society's conference with the Minister for Railways an'd management during the last two days, informed your correspondent that, while he could not give details of the concessions at present, he could say that important concessions had been obtained, especially in working conditions, which will go a long way towards elleviating the unrest which prevails in the railway service. Whil-t there were sharp differences of cpinion on many matters, he added, there was so bitterness on either side the negotiations being carried out in the best possible spirit. When the results are made public, they will how substantial concessions. Mr. Hampton remarked further: "When we ma'de representations during the war, the Minister promised to give them careful consideration when peace had arrived, and we are satisfied the Min"' tor redeemed his promise." CATTLE TICK

o A SERIOUS MENACE.

SOUTHERN FARMERS' DEMANDS

TO ISOLATE NORTHERN HERD

PALMESTON, NORTH, March 28

Grave fears are being entertained by stock men that the spread of cattle tick in North Auckland and other parr* is likely to become a serious menace to Southern districts. Mr. D. W. Lysnar, of Gisborne, who recently toured the North Auckland, is the authority ofr stating that the area of the menace, is extending rapidly. The Poverty Bay Sub-provincial Executive recently passed a resolution urging that a "dip" be erected at Opotiki as a protective measure for the East Coast. The Farmers' Union Wellington Provincial Executive also considered the matter at a meeting yesterday and a resolution was carried requesting tne Board of Agriculture to fuly investigate the introduction of the cattle tick into this country, and to isolate those districts in which it exists by getting legislation passed to prevent cattle being sent from those districts 1~ other parts of New Zealand:.

In the course of a lengthy discussion it was stated that the Wairarapa branch of the Union had drawn the attention of the Agricultural Department to the seriousness of the menacw, but were advised that there were som» legal difficulties in the way of legislation which could deal effectively with the matter.

It was stated by one authority that

cattle would have to be dipepd three Jlmea a year, and this would moan lieavy expense in some areas. In North 'Auckland, it was stated, farmers were already suffering from Hie pest in a sufficiently virulent form to call for their isolation in the interests of the cattle trade of the Dominion.

Vj '" LARGE HOTEL BURNED.

DANNBVIBKE, this day

The Royal Oak Hotel, of 4U rooms was destroyed by fire last night. Tne origin is unknown and nothing was saved. Insurances are not available. Harold eWlch was the licensee anff W. S Harvey Weber, the owner.

CONFERENCE OF REPATRIATION DELEGATES.

SOME IMPORTANT DECISIONS

WELLINGTON, this day

A conference of the RepatriationDelegates has reached decisions on many important points and a precishas -been issued covering the business. It is pointed outl§b governing decisions, that the board does not regarc£ the matters considered as settled fig? ally, but has sought to lay down guiding principles iu case the men w**j have not been overseas, and has a certificate of leave in lieu of discharge are to be deemed discharged for tne purposes of the Repatriation Act. This ,means that the case of those applications held up by land boards and the question of loans, the principle has been affirmed that, the loans will De by way of repatriation and not as ft reward for service.

It was resolved that when a loan up to £3OO is made to establish at applicant in business, the loan should include any necessary tools of his trade* Preference is to be given P returned soldiers as far as possible rtor all paid positions in the Repatriation Department, It was resolved that conditions respecting repayment of loans be reconsidered at the end of two years. It was . decided in connection with underrate permits the department is to make the wage up to to three-pounds per wees exclusive of pension; that assistance be given to attend a university where the courses of study have been interrupted by military service; also not previously attended, but wherw special attitude is displayed.

THE EDUCATION ACT.

WELLINGTON, this day

Some new regulations dealing wltn the Education Department will be issued shortly one of which provides for the issuing of certificates to qualified teachers at the age of nineteen instead of twenty-one. This is important, as until a teacher is certificated he has to submit to a reduction of -ten .per cent in salary. The grievance of young teachers who "pass examination early but cannot receive certificates till twenty-one will foe removed. Another regulation prqvlaes for an increase in salary of the.heacv master of a normal school by £25 above that fixed by the Act on account of exceptional qualifications he may possess. Another amendment is to the effect that no teacher who served abroard with Force shall suffer ten per cent reduction of salary for a period of twoyears after return on account of hav-

ing no certificate, thus affording opportunities to secure qualification

A RECORD VOYAGE.

FROM PICTON TO WELLINGTON

WELLINGTON, this day

A Wellington resident arrived in Wellington from Nelson, via Picton, yesterday, covering the distance by motor and launch in eleven hours. Leaving Wellington on Saturday, he arrived at Nelson at 4.30 a.m. on Sunday. On arrival he received a message saying he was urgently required in Wellington. > By a high powered motor car he left Nelson at 6,30 a.m. r reaching Picton about 11 a.m. Tk<? services of a friend were requestioned and the latter agreed to run him across Cook Strait to Wellington in his launch, which is described as a con-cave-convex bottomed craft, built for whale hunting purposes. Fortunately the Strait was comparatively caimand part of the journey was covered at a speed of 28 knots, and the launch raced up to Port Nicholson, past tnc astonished ferry steamer at a speed of about twenty knots. She tied up at the wharf at 5.20 p.m. The iauncn is fitted with an engine developing 135 horse-power.

SAMOA AND NEW ZEALAND

SOME MISSTATEMENTS CORRECTED.

WELLINGTON, this day.

la course of a Statement Sir James Allen took occasion to corect several rumours which are in circulation regarding the administration of Samoa. He stated since Colonel Tate's arrivar a petition promoted by certain chiefs asking that portion of Samoa administered by New Zealand should be handed over to the United States or Britatrr had been withdrawn. He also corrected the impression that Colonel Logan win not resume the adminstration at tnotermination of his holiday. Colonel Logan would return and retain his; position till the status of Samoa wawdetermined by the Peace Conference. Then the military occupation would probably cease and civil government be set up.