NEW ZEALAND TELEGRAMS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 71, 13 March 1908, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND TELEGRAMS.

W.C.T.U. Per Press Association. Auckland, Thursday.

The business meeting of the W.C.TU. opened this morning. The president, Mrs T. Cole, in a lengthy address, referred to the wonderful advance of prohibition throughout the world, She expressed gratification at the results of the local option polls in Australia. Reference was made to the campaign against gambling in the Dominion. The Gaming Act was regarded as a great advance on anything attempted More, though the licensing of bookmakers was regarded as a retrograde step. The desirability of more being done in the way of temperance teaching in schools was urged. The subject of infant life protection was dealt with at some length.

THE FLAX INDUSTRY. Dunedin, Tliursdav. About 75 per cent, of the llaxmills ..r Otago and .Southland have, closed down because the London market prices leave no margin for profit. In some cases the cause is want of water .in others tlie dearth of flax, but it is doubtful if very many of the mills will work again. DEFENCE LAUNCHES FOR SALIC. Wellington. Tliursdav. As the steamers Lady Roberts and .Tallin Seddoii are not altogether suitable" for the work of the Defence Depiirtjinent, which they are now used for, tiic Government has decided to call for tenders for their purchase. It is intended to replace them with oil launches, which are more, suitable and more economical. THE PRICE OF MICAT. Auckland, Last Night. There is stated to lie a probability of another rise in the price of meat, owing to the dry season, very little fat stock has been forwarded or is likely to be forwarded for some time to come. OBITUARY.

Wellington, Last Night. One of Wellington')! pioneers, Mr. Isaac Plinimer, died at the age of 74 last evening. Tic was llio oldest son of the lute Mr. John Plimmer, and eame out with his parents in the ship Gertrude, in 1841. Mr. Isaac l'limmer was associated ■with his father in many of the business enterprises of early Wellington, and was licensee of the Albert and Barrett's Hotels. His connection with local business undertakings was varied and extensive. Mrs Isaac Plimmer died 18 months ago, and there is no family. The deceased, who was born near Shrewsbury, is survived by his brothers, Messrs. J. A. l'limmer, C. l'limmer, 11. l'limmer, and his sisters, Mesdames liichurdson and 11. Gaby.

CUTTING IT NATI.VK LAND. Masterton, Lust Night. Mr. J. M. Coradinc (Mayor), and Urs. l'auling and J. Muckay waited on the Hon. James Carroll to-day, and brought under his notice the matter of 11,000 acres of native leasehold over the Kuaniahanga river at To Ore Ore which is held by six settlers, and asked that the Government lake it over and lease it on behalf of the natives. The Minister promised to send Sir Robert Stout and Mr. Ngata, M.P., Native Commissioners, to inspect the land, and the Government could, he said ,act immediately on their recommendation.

GAZETTE NOTICES. Wellington, Last Night. Kegulations regarding scaffolding and gear to be used in accordance with the Scaffolding Inspection Act arc published in to-night's Gazette. James H. Jerram has been appointed deputy general manager of the State Fire Insurance Office. The clobc season for seals is extended up to June 30th, 1009.

STATE OF FRIENDLY SOCIETIES' FUNDS. Wellington, Last Night. Referring to the cablegram from Melbourne re the strictures on friendly .societies' funds of the United Order of Oddfellows, this Order, which is quite distinct from the Manchester Unity Order of Oddfellows, or the Independent Order (American constitution), has no branch in this Dominion. According to the report of the Government Actuary for the Victorian friendly Societies iii 1005, the Society had 53 branches, 3187 members, and funds in hand amounting to £04,034. MORE IMMIGRANTS. Wellington, Last Night. Nearly 'three hundred immigrants arrived here by the Rimutaka from London. Only a few are booked for Wellington, the others being bound for various parts of the North and South Islands. A TEST CASE. Dunedin, Last Night. It is understood that, the New Zealand Employers' Federation has decided to bring a test case in connection with the Labor Department's interpretation of clause 14 of the Factories Act, 1007. The 1 Department has construed the clause as meaning weekly employment, no deduction being made for wages, whether a whole week is worked or not, whereas the employers contend that a full week must be worked before the worker is entitled to the wage stipulated, save in the case of statutory holidays, for women and boys. The ease will bc heard at Wellington shortly.