LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 March 1921, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

In the House of Representatives, Mr. S. G. Smith (Taranaki) has given notice to ask the Prime minister what steps, if any, the Government has taken, or if it proposes to take any steps, to find new markets for New Zealand produce. In regard to the price of butter, Mr. Sullivan (Avon) has given notice in the House to ask the Prime .Minister whether the reduction 4n the wholesale price of butter by 4d per pound to take placte next month will be passed on to the consumers ?

With reference to direct shipments from Liverpool to New Plymouth, /the Federal Steam Navigation Company has notified the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce. that they conduct a regular service to New Zealand ports, and if there was sufficient cargo no doubt a steamer to discharge at New Plymouth could be arranged for. “Is it proposed to re-enact the restriction of rent clauses of the War Legislation Act and the subsequent amendments contained in the housing law?” asked Mr. P. Fraser (Wellington Central) in the House. The restrictions, said Mr. Fraser, would expire on August .31 next, and Parliament would not be meeting for the long session until after that date. The Minister of Labor (Mr Anderson) asked that the question should be placed on the order paper. The Shops Hours Amendment Bill introduced in the' House is the Bill that the Minister promised recently in response to representations made by shopkeepers not employing assistants (writes our Parliamentary correspondent.) These shopkeepers are required, by the amending law of last session, to close their premises at 6 p.m. They contend that they cannot carry on unless they are allowed to do business until about 8 p.m.. so that they may catch suburban customers who* have returned from work and have missed the big shops. The Bill is expected to restore the old law, which permitted the small shopkeepers to fix hours of closing for themselves by requisition. The Taranaki Chamber of Commerce’s representations to the Minister of Public Works (the Hon. J. G. Coates) regarding the need for new Government buildings and a new Customs House at New Plymouth, has elicited a reply from Mr. Coates pointing out -that at present the Customs Department has a three years lease of premises near the railway station, which apparently meet requirements at the present time. Owing to the excessive cost of all building operations, and the necessity for limiting such work to buildings which are absolutely essential, the Minister regretted that he did not consraer the present an opportune time to undertake the erection of a large Government building in New Plymouth.

In reply to communications bn the Saturday half-holiday question, a letter was received at last night’s meeting of the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce from the Hawera Chamber, stating that owing to the diverse opinions existing in Hawera, and the fact that a poll was to be held, they had decided not to express any opinion on the question, leaving it to be decided by the people. In response to a question as to the position in New Plymouth, Mr. E. L. Humphries said there was a requisition being prepared for presentation to the Borough Council, and it had between twelve and fourteen hundred signatures. In addition to this work, the committee had put the names of about 500 voters on the roll. Mr. Humphries said the requisition would probably be presented to the next meeting of the council.

Speaking at Eltham on Thursday evening, Mr. Birks, chief Government electrical engineer, said he favored the Waiwakaiho as a source of power far Taranaki, as it wouid give 6000 hor'se.power, and/with storage and subsidiary powers, perhaps double that. Power was wanted, and. considering the uncertainty of obtaining petrol for any extended time, must be obtained. He said they were well ahead In New Plymouth. He said the Government were pushing on with their transmission lines, but as far as reaching Taranaki in five years was concerned (an impression that had got about somehow) he stated that the North Island scheme would cast £22,000,000. Last year £300.000 was spent, and £1,000,000 was asked for this year, which would give them some idea of how long it would take to complete. • “Fairy Wonder” Washing Powder is the one’ and only satisfactory compound of its kind on the market. This wonderful dry soap in powder form contains ingredients scientifically blended which are highly detergent, removing dirt from soiled linen without rubbing. Steam laundries are large users of “Fairy/’ Is there any better testimonial? Stocked all grocers and storekeepers

The tour of Taranaki which is being macle by Mr. L. Birks (chief electrical engineer for the Government) was continued yesterday. In the morning Mr Birks, accompanied by Messrs. F. E. Wilson (Mayor of New Plymouth), F. T. Bellringer (borough manager), R» H. Bartley (electrical engineer), J. Blair Mason (consulting engineer),, T. M. Ball (resident road engineer), visited Kaponga, where they were met by Messrs. Moss (Kaponga •electrical engineer). Cook (town clerk), and R. G. Cook (secretary of the . Kaponga Dairy Company). Mr Birks inspected the Kaponga electric lighting station, and the proposed extention at the Kaponga Dairy Factory, afterwards visiting Dawson Falls Mountain House. Opunake was then visited in the afternoon, when a meeting was held with representatives of the town and county, to discuss the formation of a power board there. Later the party visited the site of the Opunake electric power station, in company with Mr. Toogood (consulting engineer), and New Plymouth was reached shortly after 6 p.m. To_day Mr. Birks will visit the site of the New Plymouth hydro-electric works.

The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co., Ltd., wish to drawclients’ attention to their Stratford sale, which they are holding in their Stratford yards" on Tuesday, the 15th instant, at 12.30 p.m. Full particulars of entries will be found on page 8 of this issue.

In this issue will be found an advertisement calling the attention of, farmers and employers of labor generally in this district to the almost immediate arrival and availability of a selected party of British male immigrants, who, on landing in the Dominion, will be eligible to take up positions on the land or other occupations offering. Those in this district who are in need of labor will be well advised to make prompt application to the officer in charge of the local Salvation Army, from whom all information can be obtained.

The name of Newton King, Ltd., shipping department, No. 868, has been added to the list of telephone subscribers. Easter trippers should buy their outfits at the Melbourne, Ltd., the firm famous for its low prices. Splendid quality fibre kane suit cases, 22-inch 22s 6d, 24. inch 24s 6d, 26-inch 37s 6d. Men’s raincoats, trench coats and warm tweed overcoats at reduced prices. Steel trunks, leather bags and suit cases at cut rate prices. Come and see them. The annual general meeting of subscribers to Egmont Road Public Hall will be held at the hall on Wednesday evening. ‘The results of the weight judging competition held in conjunction with the Taranaki A. and P. Show are advertised in this issue. The correct dead weight of the bullock was 614 lbs and the correct total dead weight of the pen of sheep was 2281b5.