DOMINION NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 February 1919, Page 5

DOMINION NEWS.

SEMPLE REPLIES TO C2UTICISMi By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last night. Mr Semple, M.P., interviewed, replied to the criticism on hib Chris tchuroh speech, especially Mr Earnshaw's re marks Sempl'e said that Earnsb*v» could not speak for Labor, being a right hand supporter of Howard Elliott. Re ferring to the attitude taken by tih* Ministers, he said that from gentlemer who professed to be ambassadors of a just God a fairer treatment was expected. Regarding Russia, the cables were a mass of contradiction. The nationalisation of women was the blackest He cabled to any country. He regarded the condemnation of him by the press and Tory and Liberal politicians as empty and hysterical. ITc -will hold a meeting in the Colliseum on Sunday night, which is expected to be tile largest meeting in. the history of Christ' church, and he will leave the audienot to cast judgment-

A MISSING WOMAN. Wellington, Last night. Fears are entertained for the safety of a woman resident in Tinakori road, who disappeared from her home early yesterday morning. She is albout forty years of age and in delicate kealth.

RAILWAY FREIGHT CHARGES, Wellington, Last night. The Minister of Railways st&t%s that the Department will be unable to con aider the removal of the adHifopn-: freight charges imposed during the Wai until the extent of the increases to bt made in wages has been ascertained. NEWSPAPER PROPRIETORS' ASSOCIATION. Wellington, Last night. T"e annual meeting of the Newspaper I roprietors* Association concluded to* night. Consideration was given to the advertising committee's report and other matters affecting the btwiness side of newspapers. The chairman referred to the forthcoming world's Pre«s Congress to be held at Sydney in November next. The question of representation from this Association was deferred until fuller information is to hand.

Mr Selig was re-elected president. Mr Oihnour, in a neat speech, made eulogi«references to the splendid services rendered by Mr Selig to the Association during the eleven veara he had occupied the office of president. Other officers elected were: Vice-president, Mr J. Coombe; executive, Messrs Cecil Leys, H. Horton, C. Earle, L. Blundeir T O 'List, P. Pirani, E. Abbev Jones, and R. Belt; advertising committee: Messrs P. Selig, J. Coombe, E. Abbey Jones, W. C. Weston, W. J Bhindejl, and rj. c. Codlin; Postal and Parliamentary Committee: Messrs L. Klundell, C. Karle, G. Dixon, and I'. Pirani; Labor end Awards Committee: Messrs F. Pirani, P. Bond, R. Bell, A £ands, and W. C. Weston: secretary and treasurer, Mr L. J. Berry; auditor, Mr J. Jack, man.

Mesprs Seymour and Curtnyne waited upon the Association in the interests of the work of the Returned Soldiera* Association, and submitted information with regard to their proposed repatriation scheme, anl asked for the support of the newspaper proprietors. In njily to tie deputation, Mr Selig expressed the thanks of the Association for their attendance, and the tympathv of the proprietors with the objects of the scheme. u -

PATRIOTIC ODDFELLOWS. f Wellington, Last night. * ■ At Greytown, the following resolution was carried kt the Oddfellows' Conference: "That tJiiii conference of Wellington District Odd'elk.w? extendi to Mow brethren who have returned froitl active service to the Dominion, and to those who are still on duty for th« Allied cause of freedom and justiei, our hearty congratulations for the very successful ter/uination of tha greatest war in history. We are pleased to know that the representatives of thU district were united in the bonds of friendship, love, and truth with an army of over two hundred thousand Oddfellows, whm so nobly upheld the honor r.f the Allied nations and brought about so euoqww* fill a termination of hostilities. W# mourn the loss of so many noble livfg, but have the consolation of knowing that the sacrifice was for tha uplifting of our cause and the crushing of a vsry bitter enemy. SUBSIDY ON FLOUR. A QUALIFIED STATEMENT. Wellington, Last, night It is understood that the millers have received a practical assurance that the Government will take action to safeguard them in milling the new season's wheat, by granting a subsidy on flour. If thf> prk'3 of flour is raised it will mean an increase in the price of bread, and the simplest way out of the difficulty is considered to he by a subsidy. The Minister for Agriculture.states today that the Government wax going to see that millers did not suffer an injiistica in connection with the nvice fijed for the new season's wheat The price of flour was iixed Inst year at .■€ls 10s per too, when wheat was costing (Is Id per bushel, whereas the Government. has guaranteed the price for wheat this year at 0/6. This is stated to mean that the millers could not profitably sell flour tlii'a .year at the present maximum price. The Minister indicates that the price of flour, and therefore of bread, would not 1k» raised, but he stated that the details of an arrangemen that would be made by thee Government could not .vet be announced. There would 'he something in the nature of the Sovemment assistance to millora. OVERSEAS PASSENGER RATES. Wellington, Last night. The Government, which has been «n----deavoring to secure a reduction in ov»r°ea passenger rates, has received a caWe from the British Ministry of Shipping stating that it lias been ascertained from the shipping companies that th* rates are wholly contingent upon possible reduction in the cost of running. At present, the tendencies are in the opposite direction.