SHIPOWNERS' UNION.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 240, 13 November 1914, Page 8

SHIPOWNERS' UNION.

A meeting of the General Committee of the union was held yesterday. Present: Messrs L. C. Gardiner (president), H. D. Acland, T. D. Burnett, R. O. Dixon, N. D. Campbell, T. S. Johnstone, Geo. Murray, W. W. Mcßae, A. W; Rutherford,jun., F. H. Smith, M.P., B. Seth-Smith', and F. H. Labatt (secretary). In regard to the sub-committee for South /Janterbury, on the motion of Mr F. H. Smith, seconded by Mr H. D. Acland, it was resolved that the election of members for this committee be approved. The question of telephonic communication in the Mackenzie Country and the discrepancies in the grants for different bureaux, was discussed. Mr Geo. Murray said the present arrange-, regard to telephones were very unsatisfactory, and the remuneration paid to telephone bureaux was not made proportionately. This had a deterrent effect in regard to the progressive extension of the system. The settlers in the Haldon and Braemar districts objected also to paying subsidies towards the mail service. Mr T. D. Burnett endorsed Mr Murray's remarks, and stated that settlers in the district were paying considerably more in taxes and rents than obtained twenty years ago.

Mr Acland said that residents in many country districts were justified in demanding an improvement in local conditions to meet their requirements. On the motion of Mr E. O. Dixon, seconded by Mr B. Seth-Smith, it was decided that a deputation consisting of Messrs H. D. Acland, T. D. Burnett, Geo. Murray, and F. H. Smith, M.P., wait on the Postmaster-General in reference to the matters in this connection.

On the motion of Mr- A. W. Rutherford, jun., seconded by Mr W. W. McEae, it was resolved to communicate with the Government asking whether annual classified returns of lambs could be furnished, showing numbers of merinos, halfbreds, and Corriedales, also three-quarterbred lambs. In regard to the recent case of sheepstealing, on the jnotion of Mr Burnett, seconded by Mr F. H. Smith, it was decided to pay £3O as a reward to the three witnesses whose evidence was instrumental in securing the conviction in the case referred to.