DOMINION NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 June 1919, Page 3

DOMINION NEWS.

DELAY IK CABLES,

By Telegraph.—Press: Association. Wellington, June 17. A deputation from the Associated Chambers of Commerce waited upon the ! tfon. W. D. S. Mac Donald, Acting Post-master-General, to-day relative to the 'delay in the transmission of commercial cables. They pointed out that the export and import trades were seriously hampered by the delays, as business could not be: done without, prompt communication; owing to the-fluctuations in the markets. They-suggested that the use of commercial codes might ba perjtnitted and the Imperial Government asked to accept messages at treble urgent rates.

The Minister,, replying, said that the delay was due to the interruption of the cable which, in normal conditions, carried the traffic between Great Britain, India and the East. Tho Pacific cable' had to carry the whole-, traffic to ■New Zealand. Government, press business was reduced, and press, messages were subject to long delay. The Government was in. constant communication with the Cable- Board and the Imperial Government had no control. He promised the deputation that representations would be continued.

MR MYERS CORRECTS. A>STATEment: j Duned in,. June 17.. Regarding a telegram from Palmerston North attributing a statement, to the Hon. A. M. Myers "That the extreme Labor Party were urging on Bolshevism," the Hon. J. T. Paul, president of the labor Party, telegraphed to Mr Myers regarding the matter. In reply, Mr Myers stated: 'T informed a pressman I had made a statement in Auckland regarding the heavy financial obligations of the Dominion, and having regard to the fact that in many countries, including New Zealand, an effort was being made to introduce Bolshevism, it was of the utmost importance that an election should take place as soon aa possible to give the electors an opportunity of expressing their views, so that a stable Government could be secured to enable the Dominion to play a worthy part in furthering the best interests of the community. I did not associate the Labor i Party in connection with such a statement.'—Arthur Myers.

REPORTERS' NOTES CAPTURED.

Wellington, June 17. An unusual incident occurred in the coroner's court during an inquest into a case of suicide. A relative of the deceased, who appeared very anxious to prevent any report apeparing, tried to persuade the reporters not to the case, assuring them that he had arranged it with the papers. Upon their refusing he sat down beside them and tried to distract their attention. He then went away and the reporters left their seats and copy temporarily to go into another room Op returning they found their interlocutor had captured their notea and made off with them. He was followed and detained, hut here the story becomes rather incoherent, as apparently he kept possession of his booty, though it is mentioned that the police are interesting themselves in the affair.

P. AND T. CLASSIFICATION.

: Greymonth, June 17. At a large meeting of the West Coast Post and Telegraph Association a resolution was carried unanimously that in the opinion of thia section, the new cla?sification of the service s very far from satisfactory. Anomalies are disclosed in the case of experienced offi-e-»is receiving only £1 to £25 increment, while other officers receive £9O to £IOO. The main ground of obiectioa lies in the fact that the department has disregarded the cost of livThe meeting expressed dissatisfaction at the classification list, but wished to suggest that a general. Increase of £45 as a minimum he Daid to all andl that the war bonus, as promised by the Premier and PostmasterGenera before his departure for England* be paid forthwith in full.

SOUTH ISLAND RAILWAYS. a* o j) Blenheim, June 17. T»t i of the Marlborough Of? at »i £ y Lea^6 ' President, Mr E. F. Goulter, advocated the n , me , n , t borrowing £10,000,000 to W? - * k lines of the Doainfort K? i ? yeara> and that «» efto f om P lete the more important ones within five years, the money to be borrowed at intervals as reQuirei If sufficient labor be not available, the Government is to be asked to get the necessary men by immigration. Mr Goulter considered that the South Island main trunk should take precedence and that the Otira tunnel should be completed as, soon as possible. The meeting decided to reorganise the eagueunder the title of the South Island Mam Trunk League and to conduct a vigorous agitation until its objects are attained. I

living by fraud. Tn r> V Dunediu, June 17. Wil • Court ' A,fred Rirold William Williams was charged with imS? T thG S ° ldiers ' lfar ° Comb y ™? reSmi ™ g that he was « eturfied soldier and obtaining money tv 6S ' a 'l° W ' th defri « din S a shopkeeper from w hom he obtained goods to the value of fig 0 n the same pretence. It was stated that three years ago accused was sen tewed to three years' reformative treatment in Auckland for similar offences'. On the first charge accused was sentenced to one year's haid labor, and on the second charge to six months, the sentences to be cumulatlVO,