DOMINION NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 March 1919, Page 5

DOMINION NEWS.

MR. SEMPLE AT OHRIBTCHUIICII. By Telegraph.—Press Association. GhristchuTch, March 3. Mr Semple, M.P., addressed a very large audience on Sunday night, replying to criticism of his speech a. fortnight ago. A motion was carried that: Having read the charges made against Mr. Semple by Mr EU, M.P., and the press of the city, and having heard 'Mr Semple in his defence, this meeting places the utmost confidence in Mr Semple as a member of Parliament and representative of the working class. The meeting was very orderly. LARGE WOOL CONSIGNMENT. Wellington, March 3. The steamer Verdun, which left Port Chalmers for Hull, carried ono of the largest consignments of wool sent from New Zealand in one bottom. The shipment totalled 22,931 bales. A WOMAN'S SUICIDE. Christcliurch, Last Night. Agnes McDowell, married, was found dead in the Avon river yesterday. At an inquest to-day a verdict was returned that she committed suicide while in a despondent state of mind, consequent on an impending operation. OUR FORCES IN EGYPT. Wellington, Last Night. The Minister for Defence has received advice that on January first the total strength of the force in Egypt was 142 officers and 311G other ranks.

CUSTOMS FIGURES. Wellington, Last NightThe Minister of Customs states the amount of customs revenue collected throughout the Dominion for February was £330,789, and the excise beer duty .€•24,721. The fibres for February, WIS, were £257,515 and £19,014 respectively. SERIOUS TUSSOCK FIRE. Christchurch, March 1. About 11.30 this morning a serious tussock fire started near Camp Bay, Lyttelton, and at 4.30 this afternoon the fire had burnt some 2000 .or 3000 acres of tussock country. It was reported Hint nearly a thousand sheep, two-tooth ewivs and wethers, belonging to Mr Candy, whose station is near Camp Bay, had been destroyed. The fire is said to have originated in the blocking operations of a number of Public Works men, who have been engaged making the wharf to Camp Bay. Although they made every effort to prevent the fire spreading, the dry nature of the tilssocks and undergrowth made the task s hopeless one, and the fire quickly obtained a strong hold.

RAILWAYMAN'S KEPLY. TO MINISTER. Auckland. March 1. The railwaymen, replying to the statement by the Hon. W. H. Herries, Minister of Railways, slffcto that hours, not wages, was the more important question. Conditions as to the length of shifts were specially complained of. The system of long horns, they urge, is unfair to them, and also to the travelling public, whose safety is jeopardised. The workshops and maintenance men had an eight-hour day and overtime, for nlgnt work, and the locomotive men asked to be .placed on the same footing. It was suggested that the railwaymen's case should he investigated by an impartial tribunal—l>y a Magistrate, Conciliation Commissiimer, ,or J|&»iQonciliatioa Obhm