DOMINION NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 June 1919, Page 5

DOMINION NEWS.

LAND HUNGER IN THE NORTH.

By Telegraph.—Press Association.

. Thames, June 25. Quite a rush of Taranaki and southern farmers has set in to the Hauraki Plains, and land agents and solicitors are having a busy time. In the past fortnight alone 20 farms on ,the plains have changed hands, the prices averaging nearly £7O an acre. The total amount of the deals is in the vicinity of £150,000. The figures are taken from the transfers, and there have been many sales sinee. The dairy production from the plains last year was over £150,000, and, in addition, large numbers of fat cattle have been turned out. Of 80,000 acres on the plains only a third is yet open. DRINKING ON TRAINS IN SOUTH.

Christchurch, Last Night. At a meeting of the provincial executive of the Fanners 5 Union to-day, the chairman drew attention to the great amount of drinking which goes on on the south trains. He said he could speak from personal experience while travelling in trains, and he could quote instances of lavatories being practically turned into bar rooms while women and children were in the same carriage. He moved: "That we draw the attention of the traffic manager in Canterbury to the growing habit of drinking intoxicating liquors to excess on the south trains." Several delegates spoke strongly about the matter, and urged ,that the Minister of Hallways should be aproached with a view to remedying the evil. The motion was carried.

LABOR CANDIDATES. Wellington, Last Night.Messrs P. Fraser and R. Semple, M's P., have been nominated, unopposed, as Labor candidates for Wellington Central and Wellington South respectively, and will go to the poll at the general election ias official Labor candidates. For the (Other city seats preliminary polls will be necessary.

REVIVAL OF ATHLETICS. v

, .. Timaru, Last Night. At a meeting of the executive of the New Zealand Athletic and Cycling Union to-night, the president (Mr. J. Kennedy) and secretary (Mr. H. H. Fraser) were authorised to call a Dominion conference m Wellington in July to take steps to revive athletic sports, which had been dormant throughout the war period.

THE:INTERNED GERMANS. _ Wellington, Last Night. The number of Germans and others held in internment }n New Zealand at present is 1361. The disposal of. these men is governed primarily by the terms of the peace ireaty, and no move can be made until the treaty is given full effect and instructions have been received from ,the Imperial Government. LAND FOR SOLDIERS. _ Wanganui, Last Night. The Wanganui-WaitoUra Patriotic Association to-day unanimously endorsed the resolution of the Ka.tieke County Council urging the sub-division of the Wanganui Trust Endowment of 5000 acres, easy rolling country, for the purpose Of soldiers' settlement. Practical 1 farmers familiar with .the land considered lit admirably suitable for- cutting into 250-acre areas.