THE WEEK.

Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 137, 10 June 1911, Page 9

THE WEEK.

THE DOMINION. The mining industry is threatened with a serious disturbance, arising out of demands made by the Waihi Miners' Union | for a considerable increase in wages and j improved conditions, which were discussed at a conference between representatives of the union and the companies interested, with the result that the latter made only minor concessions, one of which was to increase the minimum wage for men from 7/6 to 8/ per shift. The Miners' Union placed the matter before a mass meeting of workers, at which it was unanimously resolved to refer the dispute to the executive of the Federation of New Zealand Workers. The immediate effect of this decision was to cause depression on the sharemarket, but there was a prompt re--wery, the general feeling being against the likelihood of a strike resulting. The Waikato winter show proved to be a great success, being generally regarded as the best yet held, despite the fact that a long spell of dry weather had been unfavourable. The opening ceremony was performed by Mr. H- J. Greenslade, who gave some interesting figures relative to the growth of the butter industry in the Waikato. These showed that within the past ten years the manufacture of butter had grown from a mere nothing into an industry, there being now ten factories in operation. In 1901 only 90 boxes were exported, three years later, 1904, the export had grown to 39,650 boxes, whilst last year some 160,230 boxes were produced for export. The Coronation challenge cup for butter suitable for export was won by the Taieri Perinsula Company with 93 points Cheltenham Dairy , Company being awarded 92£ points, Btmnythorpe 90J points, Te Aroha District Co-operative 90A points, Bell Block 90 points, Kaponga 89i points. Other principal awards were as follow: — Best box of butter, suitable for export: Bunnytborpe Dairy Company, 93* points, 1; Bell Block Dairy Company, 93 points, 2; Taieri Peninsula Milk Supply Company, 92J points, 3; Rangitikei Co-opera-tive Dairy Company, 92 points 4. Box of butter (561b), suitable for export: Cheltenham Dairy Company, 92i points, Taieri Peninsula Milk Supply Company 92 § points (equal), 1; Bunnythorpe Dairy Company, 92 points, 2. Novice class: Box of butter, suitable for export (561b) ; open to any butter factory manager who has not won a first prize:' Bunnythorpe Dairy Company, 921 points, 1; Kaponga Co-operative "Dairy Company 92 points, 2. Special class: Butter, box of 56ib, suitable for export, manufactured under the most favourable conditions: Bell Block Dairy Company, 93 points, 1 ; Te Aroha District Co-opera-tive Dairy Company, 924 points, 2; Lepperton Co-operative Dairy Company, Ltd., Lepperton, 91J points Thames Valley Co-operative Dairying Company, 911 points (equal), 3. General Godley, Commandant of the New Zealand Forces, expressed himself rather surprised at the trend of recent criticism on the subject of the physique of young New Zealanders. He said that since his arrival he had toured pretty well every part of the Dominion, ! and had had ample opportunity of judging the physique of the youth of this country. All that he could say was that he was very favourably impressed indeed, and saw no reason at all for any concern about tbe physical development of young New Zealanders. Generally speaking, the young man in New Zealand would, in his opinion, compare very favourably with those of any other country - in the world from the point of view of physique. The Auckland Racing Club's Great Northern Meeting was brought to a close at Ellerslie on Wednesday. During the three days' racing £70,02.5 passed through the totalisator, being an increase of £29,404 over the total of the corresponding meeting last year. The Winter Steeplechase was wonby Antarctic, Loch Fyne being second, and Kapakapa third. Winiata won the Hunt Club Steeplechase, Pleiades the Tamaki Steeplechase. Smilax the York Welter, John the Camnbell Hurdles, Amans the Fitzroy Welter, and Wauchope the Farewell Handicap. IMFERIAX,. The Imperial Conference resumed its sittings on Friday. The Conference-con-sidered a motion by Mr. Fisher.- "That it is advisable, in the interests both of the Inited Kingdom and of the British Dominions Beyond the Seas, that efforts in favour of British-manufactured goods and British shipping should be supported as far as is practicable." Mr. Fisher said that other countries assisted trade by subventions, and Australia had endeavoured to counterbalance that advantage by offering preference to British .goods. The British delegates pointed to ' the danger of retaliation if steps were taken in the direction intended, and Mr. Buxton pointed out that the treaties into j which Britain had entered rendered it impossible for much to be done. Sir Wilfred Laurier gave notice of his intention to move. -That the British Government be requested to negotiate with the several Powers affected, with a viewto relieving from operation of treaties, British Dominions desiring to be so relieved." This has been described i n the press as a revolutionary process, and one likely to lead to the dismemberment of the Empire. Sir Joseph Ward withdrew bis motion for the reorganisation of the Dominions Department, making the secretariat of the Dominions apart from that of the Crown Colonies. Discussing the speech of Mr. F. Wilson (Premier of Westralia) at Stafford, where he said that Australia would spend her last man and shilling in defence of tbe Empire, the '"Pall Mall Gazette"' issued a warning against possible attempts to Teduee British defences because of the Dominions' assurances of help. It added that the overseas visitors would best serve the Empire by saying little ahout what they will do should the need arise. In a speech at Bristol Sir Joseph Ward protested against the detestable toll bar between Britain and the Dominions, in the shape of the extortionate charges on every to n of cargo traversing the Suez Canal. If it was desired to brine the distant portions of the Empire closer, they must make the means of transport as cheap as possible. Was it not time , that Britain and France, as owners of the Suez Canal, began to realise that over £1,000.000 was taken, as far as one partner was concerned, from the pockets of | those using the Canal, over and above the dividend of three per cent on capital? Mr. Lewis Harcourt outlined his proiposal for a Standing Committee to bridge the gap between the Conferences. Mr. Fisher, Sir Joseph Ward, and Mr. E. K. Batchelor agreed that such machinery was needed. Mr. Botha, Six Wilfrid Laurier, Sir Edward Morris, and M. Malan disagreed, preferring subsidiary conferences to consider special questions. Mr. Harcourt said that while the discussion was informative, the want of 'unanimity compelled him to withdraw his i motion.

FOREIGN AFFAIRS. A great earthquake was experienced in Mexico on Wednesday. The towns of Mexico City, Tonila, San Andreas, and Zapotlan were very badly damaged. Many were killed and thousands were rendered homeless. Madero, leader of the Mexican revolutionaries,, has reached the capital, where he has been triumphantly proclaimed the new Liberator. Mexicans in the north, however, are not disposed to give up lighting, and a counter-revolu-tion has been started v. ith the object of proclaiming a new Republic in this district. Ex-President Roosevelt has caused the announcement to be circulated of his cordial approval of President Taft r s candidature for the Presidency of 1912. Mr. Roosevelt informed President Taft of his intention not to contest the Presidency, and under the circumstances Taft'3 friends believe the President's re-election is now assured. Tbe Benintir tribe in Morocco, who are in revolt, are following a custom when in desperate straits of bringing their daughters bound to villages, carrying them before them on their horses, and then cutting their daughters' throats before the dwellings of the chiefs whom they wish to propitiate. IN TEE COMMOHWEALTH. The registration under the universal military service regulations has exceeded official expectations by many thousands, ,and the Defence Department is. confronted with finanical difficulties owing to the unexpected call on its resources. Tbe sum of £180,000 is available for the scheme, whereas the Department is already committed to the extent of £220,000. The' President of the Australian Tramways Employees' Association, after a I visit to the various States, asserts that I there is general discontent among tram employees over a wide area. If a strike j does occur it will affect the whole of Australia.