LATE MESSAGES

Greymouth Evening Star, 27 October 1931, Page 8

LATE MESSAGES

LONDON, October 26.

The extent of the co-operation of parties within the Nationalist bloc is shown by the sweeping reduction in tri-cornered lights. In 1929 there were only 102 straight fights, Labour winning over 100 seats on minority votes. Tuesday will witness 409 straight fights, thus everyone expects an easy Nationalist victory, but every effort is being made to prevent slackness in going to polls, in order to show the outside world that a sweeping majority of the nation is in favour of sound finance and balanced Budget. Labour expects to lose 80 seats. Stock exchange speculation reached 204 as the probable Nationalist majority. Mr MacDonald faces a difficult task among the Durham miners, all of whom have been well drilled for years in obedience to the party machine. Even if he receives the whole Conservative and Liberal votes in the constituency, he must in additional detach nearly 12,000 Labour votes to obtain a bare majority. Mr Henderson, who is in bed with a cold, has no easy task in Burnley, where there is practically a straight fight with Admiral Campbell, of “Mystery Ship” fame. Plans for announcing tb~ results on election night are more complete than ever. The 8.8. C. is broadcasting till the small hours on Wednesday. Many large cinemas in London and suburbs are keeping open similarly. They have reduce'’ prices, and are interspersing pictures with election figures.

“The Government could save £4OO a year if it availed itself of the offer of’ J.P.’s to preside on the Bench,” said Mr D. Donaldson at the annual meeting of the Auckland Justices of the Peace Association. He* said that magistrates in Auckland were opposed to “having anything to do with J.P.’s on the Bench.” When it suited the magistrate, or where there was a protracted indictable case, they made use of the J.P.’s. Mr M. Guthrie said the association did not wish to “do magistrates out of their jobs” •but it was necessary members should obtain an insight into Court procedure. The annual report of the New Zealand Employers’ Federation makes the following reference to the Apprentice Act: “Nothing more has been heard of the proposed amendments of the Workers’ Compensation Act, the Apprentice Act, or the Shops and Offices Act. An increasing number of employers are coming to the conclusion, that the Apprentice Act is partly, responsible for the unemployment amongst boys, and that a relaxation of some of its restrictions would be in their interest. It may be desirable to make representations to the Government upon this subject.”