DOMINION NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 June 1919, Page 5

DOMINION NEWS.

' RETURNED SOLDTERS' CONFERENCE. By Telegraph.—Proas Association. Palmerston N., June 16. The conference of returned soldiers met on iSaturday and yesterday. It decided to appoint an organiser for the Wellington district. The conference affirmed the policy of large associations with sub-associations in as many centres as possible. THE FLAX INDUSTRY DISPUTE. PalmeTston X., June lfl. The Flaxmill "Employees' Union has agreed to the Conciliation Commissioner's suggestion to send delegates to meet the employers' delegates under his chairmanship to discuss the flaxmills dispute.

BURGLARIES AT HAMILTON. Hamilton, June 16. Last night a series of burglaries occurred. [Five premises were catered and £l-2 secured in one office. The visitors left behind an overcoat and pocket-book containing a list of business firms and particulars of the premises, and evidently had the intention of calling on all.

AN ESCAPED PRISONER.

Wanganui, June 16.

Michael McCann, who escaped from custody on the main trunk line, was reverted to be making for Wanganul. Constable McMullan left here on Saturday evening to attempt to intercept the escapee, but the latter doubled back and was seen further inland this morning.

PROPOSED CONFERENCE OF MAYORS. Ohristcliurch, Last Night. The Mayor of Christchureh (Dr. Thncker. M.P.) is convening a conference of mayors, to be held at Christchureh at some generally convenient date before Parliament meets. The subjects suggested for discussion are: Train services, ferry services, the housing problem, coal shortage, concrete roads and main arterial highways, hydro-electric development, and the completion of main trunk lines. MEDALS AND DECORATIONS CONFERRED. Auckland, Last Night. Medals and decorations won by 53 soldiers in the field were presented by Sir James Allen in the Town Hall, tonight. The hall was crowded- A section of territorials in the body of the hall behaved in a disorderly manner, counting out the speakers and otherwise interfering with the proceedings. There were two cases in which double awards were made, and twenty of the decorations were received by the next-of-kin.

FLAXMILLERS' DEMANDS.

Palmerston North, Last Night. ' The Manawatu Flaxworkers' Union has passed a series of resolutions: (1) That tlw Tepeal of the war regulations that interfere with the freedom of industrial organisations and members thereof be demanded; (2) we demand the release of all persons suffering imprisonment under the war regulations; (3) we demand the immediate release of all conscientious objectors who are imprisoned for refusing to perform military service; (4) that if the Tokaanu Road (Waimarino district) is urgently needed for tourists that prisoners be better fed to withstandthe intense cold, and that a stove or other heating appliance be placed in each hut to keep the place and bedding dry in the winter months, otherwise to cloee tli j ciamp and remove the men. A •strongly worded iresolutiion was also passed in reference to the death of W. L. White, a conscientious objector, who died in Auckland Prison, also regarding the treatment he is alleged to have received.

LAND FOR EX-SOLDIERS.

Palmerston North, Last Night.

The Government has purchased from tl ! estate of D. Buick 274 acres at £BB per acre. The land will be cut up in five-acre sections for town-working 9oldiers. Also 391 acres at the same price, which will be divided into 30-acre farms. LICENSING CASES. Palmerston North, Last Night. At the Magistrate's Court, Thomas Childs, licensee of the Commercial Hotel, was fined £lO for exposing liquor for sale; and Henry Downey Jones Mitchell £2 and costs for being illegally on the premisesRETURNING TROOPS. Auckland, Last Night. Referring to the troops in Egypt tonight. Sir James Allen stated he had been advised that the following steamers would be sailing from Egypt for New Zealand: Ulimaroa, June 24; Pilsna, June 30; Insbruk, July 20. Sir James gdded that he presumed these vessels would be bringing back New Zealand troops.