DOMINION NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 April 1919, Page 2

DOMINION NEWS.

CENTENARY OF ODDFE LLO WSIHP. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Invercargili, April 2G. The local lodges celebrated the centenary of the Independent Order of Oddfellows last evening, several hundred being present. The New Zealand Executive was represented by Grand Treasurer Deans. Mr Ritchie, the Mayor, and Mr Steail spoke on behalf of citizens and kindred societies. The function was a great success. TIMBER AND COAL YARD WORKERS' AWARD. Wellington, April 20. A new award has been filed by the Arbitration Court iu connection with the South Canterbury Timber Yards, Sawmills and Coal Yards Employees' dispute. The award deals at considerable length with the hours, overtime, holidays and wages of all workers, and embodies recommendations of the Conciliation Council, and will operate from March 1, 1919, to March 1, 1921. W.C.T.U. CONVENTION Napier, April 2f>. At Saturday's sittings of the W.C.T.U. Convention the report of the work done for the mine-sweepers was given. The unions subscribed £1453 5s and goods to the value of £302, and these were sent to the British and Foreign Sailors' Society, and many letters of thanks were received from mine-sweepers and members of torpedoed crews. On Saturday afternoon the delegates were motored out to Hastings to a garden party. The Dominion president made an appeal for funds for the work, which was liberally responded to. INDUSTRIES COMMISSION. Napier, April 25. The Industries Committee sat in Napier to-day. The first evidence tendered concerned the tobacco industry. Various witnesses stated that Hawkes Bay and Nelson grown tobacco was excellent, and it would pay farmers to poiv the crop. Government help should be given to this new industry. A. B. Fallover, manager of the Hawkes Bay Tobacco Company, thought that the company was entitled to a return of the duty paid. J. H. Edmondson, manager of the Limestone Company, complained of the duty paid on the plant and of the excessive railway freights. C. H. Edwards, manager of the Napier Gas Company, Eaid his company was living from hand to mouth as far as coal supplies were concerned. He urged that State vessels should carry State coal. He thought an increase in the freight was unnecessary. S. Harris, cap manufacturer, complained of the excessive railway freights. David Wbytp, Hastings, asked that the Mining Act should be amended in the direction of improving mining leases. A smelting and bullion plaiit and a mint should be established in Wellington.