GENERAL TELEGRAMS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 37, 7 August 1911, Page 2

GENERAL TELEGRAMS

FARMERS' UNION AND POLITICS. By Telegraph—Press Association. Timo.ru, Last Night. Mr. John Talbot, president of the South Canterbury Farmers' Union executive, and delegate to the conference, reporting to a well attended meeting on the work of the conference, stated he had opposed the proposal to form a farmers' political party, as if this were carried he offered to resign the chairmanship if members favored taking a political stand. It was unanimously resolved! that Mr. Talbot took up the right attitude towards tlie proposal, though he stood alone at 'the conference in opposing it, and the meeting would not hear of his resignation.

AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE BILL. Timaru, Timaru, Last Night. Mr. Buxton, M.P., waited on the meeting of the South, Canterbury Farmers' Union and asked for on expression of opinion to guide him in presenting a Bill to Parliament to rais-e the New Zealand tariff on agricultural produce to the level of that of Australia. It was unfair that New Zealand should allow Australian, grain and flour to enter at a cheaper rate than trade was permitted in other ways. The present tariff was a handicap to producers and indirectly to workers. A motion was .passed approving the proposed measure. It was also decided to ask Mr. Buxton and other local members to oppose Mr. Hogg's Abolition of Duties on Agricultural Produce and Mill Stuffs Bill.

H.M.S. CHALLENGER. Auckland, Saturday. H.M.S. Challenger returned to-day from a cruise undertaken chiefly in connection with the centenary celebrations of the Ohil'i Republic, which happened last year, but which; on account of the late King's death, could not be attended' by British warships. The officers and crew had a royal reception in Chili, and were entertadned moat hospitably. H.M.S. Kent, from the China station, was there on the same mission, and accompanied the Challenger on the return voj - age as far as Honolulu. The Challenger's officers inspected the Panama Canal, which they describe as a stupendous work, of wonderful design and execution. The Challenger leaves for Wellington on the 12th inst., proceeding thence to Lyttelton and Sydney.

THE POWERS OF COUNCILS. Wellington, Saturday. An important judgment was given by the Chief Justice to-day. The Miramar Borough Council decided to reduce the width of King's road from 99 to 06 feet, but Mr. McLeod lodged ii caveat, which the council desired removed. Hi.s Honor held that the council had no right to diminish the width by special order unless the electors agreed and unless a niagfet'rate approved.

THEFT FROM A WHARF. Wellington, Saturday. William Scllar Johnston, a wharf laborer, was fined £5 in the Magistrate's Court to-day on a charge of stealing a. case of whisky from the wharf. It was stated that accused was under (the influence of liquor at the time. AUCKLAND PUBLIC TRUST OFFICE. Wellington, Saturday. The tender of Messrs. Campbell and Burke, of Wellington, at £16,500, haa been accepted for the erection of the offices for the Public Trustee at Auckland. .

A "HERO" DECORATED. Wellington, Saturday. About 300 people gathered last night in the Socialist Hall, when the youth William Cornish, who served 21 days in gaol rather than register under the Defence Act, was presented with a gold medal from the Runanga Anti-Conscrip-tion League. Mr. J. Roberts, president of the Wellington branch of the New Zealand Federation of Labor, presided, and Mr. R. Semple, the Federation's organiser, made the presentation.