NEW ZEALAND.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 9385, 8 April 1896, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND.

(PRESS ASSOCIATION TSLEGBAMS.)

AUCKLAND, April 7

At the Police Court to-day Gavin Melutyre Park, late Postmaster at Taupo, was charged with having on tha Ist of February, at Tftupo, stolen £26 in money, the property of her Majesty the Queen. The accueed was remanded for eight days. Ihe Bench fixed the bail at accused's own recognizances of filQO, aud two sureties of £50. Advioee from Vavau by the Taviunl report those districts, having experienced the gale of the 7th to 9th inst. B NAPIER, April 7.

Fruit-growere in all parts of the colony have aent eutries for & special class for a fruic prize of £10 in connection with the Horticultural Show. FEILDING, April 7. At the temperance detnonsUMUon yesterday the following resolutions were passed : — r. That Cluba be put on the same footing a3 hotels ; that the people give their decision on the question at colonial prohibition ; that the liquor trade shall no longer be privileged, but subject to the decision of the majority ; that members at the Christian churches at the next elections vote for prohibition ; that Justices of the Peace in sympathy with the liquor traffic be removed from the commission. , " WELLINGTON. April 7. The Government has appointed Mr Thos. Bailie, merchant, Westport, and Mr Wm. Robert Kettle, J. P., merchant, Greymouth, to be members of the Board of Conciliation for the Westlaad industrial district. DUNEDIN, April 7.

The Temperance Convention closed last night with a public meeting iv the Garrison Hall. The meeting pledged itself to vote at the general election for candidates pledged to the bare majority, for providing for the colonial prohibition vote, and for bringing clubs under popular control. It; was further decided to urge the electors at the local option polls to vote for no licence, and allowing the reduction vote to stand for what ib ia worth. INVEROARGILL, April 7. At the Trades Council Conference the question of employment of girla ab dressmaking without wages waa postponed till the Masfers and Apprentices Bill is con--idered. It waa resolved that the Miuister

for Labour be asked to amend the Factories Act bo as to bring the hours of females and boys to the footing of clause 5 of th«i 1881 Act, also that the part of clause 55 giving exemptions for five halfholidaya be struck out. It was resolved *• That the time has come for the abolition of overtime, and that the Government be asked to amend the Factory Act iv that direction." Several members, while affirm-

ing the desirableness of the amendment, held that in some trades it would be irapoesible to abolish overtime. Ou the question of theextension of the municipal franchise an amendment was moved :— " That the franchise be given to every householder," and the subjeeb was then held over till uext day. The Conference did not advise the federation of the Trades' Councils _of the colony. Oα the question of selecting labour oaudidatea Mr Hutchison moved—

"That the words 'labour members in each centre , be struck out," holding that the selection was a matter for the different Oouucils at eleotion time. Mr Colline moved —" It is desirable that one political platform be accepted by ail labour organisations, and that they should pledge themselves only to vote for candidates who sub scribe to the same, and that a bona Mc worker be chosen by each Trade Council." This was carried by 10 to 3, and the worde " each of the Trades Councils " were altered to " Labour party in each centre. 1. The founding of a Government tailoring workshop was affirmed unanimously. At the Trades Conference the gumdiggers' grievances were considered. It was resolved chat the Government immediately ascertain the moat suitable method of placing kauri gum on the New Zealand, Eaglisii, and American markets ; that gumdiggera be licensed and the license only issued to British subjects. After considerable discussion it was resolved by seven to

six—"Thai all tailoring work be done on the premises of a workshop or factory." A motion urging the Government to introduce legislation regarding old age pensions was carried.