DOMINION NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 August 1918, Page 2

DOMINION NEWS.

MONUMENT TO NATIVE CHIEF. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Whakatane, Aug. 26. Mr. Herries, Native Minister, unveiled a. monument at ltuatoki yesterday in memory of Damia Kereru, late chief of the Tuioe tribe. Representatives of the Natives and Europeans were present at a gathering of over a thousand, including Rua, with 62 Native recruits he liad enlisted, also the Hons. Sir J.. Carroll,, A. T Ngata, and Dc. Pomare , WAIROA HAKBOR ABANDONMENT. Wairoa, Aug. £6. Following the visit of Mr. Furkert, Government inspector, the harbor board unanimously decided that a Bill should be immediately promoted to construct a harbor at Waikokopu, and a railway for tlio combined districts. This means the abandonment of the works at Wairoa harbor, which have cost nearly £IOO,OOO. A public meeting is to be-held to discuss the position. j ARBITRATION' COURT CRITICISED. Wanganui, 'Aug. 20. The Wanganui Carpenters' Union has forwarded the following resolution to the Minister of Labor: This union views with disgust the action of the Arbitrn-1 tion Court in refusing an award to the Auckland Soft Goods Employees' Union, j Wo suggest to you that under Mr. Justice Stringer the Arbitration Court lias become an adjunct of the Employers' Federation in a marked degree, and we are firmly of opinion that, if the workers are to receive any justice whatever from the court, it is necessary that Mr. Justice Stringer should be immediately released from his duties as judge of the Arbitration Court. THEFT OF GRASS SEED. . Auckland, Auk 26. Thomas Arthur Kemp, clrarged with theft from the Farmers' Union Trading Company of grass seed valued at £324, was sentenced to one year's imprisonment. An application for si. new trial was refused'. TOTAtISATOR ODD MONET. Christchurch, Aug. 26. The Hon. G. W. Russell, referring - to the appointment of a totalizator inspector, made an announcement regarding'the odd money over dividends, which (luring* the four days' racing in Grand National week amounted to £B6l. ■ The Minister Baid tha money did not belong to the clubs and' should be- returned to the public. He would not object if it was handed to: patriotic organisations during the war, hut later would endeavor- to secure it for titer bfinefit of the hospitals and to assist the country's poor.

FALLING BIRTHRATE. Christehurch, August 26. At a. meeting of the Cfuiatctarch Watkers' raiicfttioual Association, tie Hon. G. W. Russell (Minister of PubM»: Health) referred to the serious decline of the Dominion birthrate, which had fallen nearly I per cent, in the last thirty years. This was particularly regrettable when accompanying it were an increase of wealth and prosperity. With regard to the deliberate limitation of families, he considered legislative action was approaching when the State would assist jparents in rearing their children.