DOMINION ITEMS

Greymouth Evening Star, 4 December 1940, Page 6

DOMINION ITEMS

[per press association.] BAKEHOUSE EXPLOSION. AUCKLAND, December 4. The explosion of an oil-burner at the bakehouse of Teddy Brothers, at Onehunga, this morning, destroyed the whole day’s output of bread, totalling 3000 loaves. The building was not extensively damaged. CAR HITS POLE. WANGANUI, December 3. A car containing seven members of the New Zealand Scottish Territorial units last night, when returning to Wanganui, ran off the road near Manakau and crashed into an electric light pole. All escaped with minor injuries. One, T. J. Cameron, is thought to have broken a forearm. CHRISTMAS AND CAMPS. WANGANUI, December 4. The Invercargill complaint, concerning the effect on Christmas trade of the breaking up of the Territorial camps on December 28, is not supported in Wanganui. Mr. G. Bennett (President of the Employers’ Association and Retailers’ Association) said that no doubt there would be some inconvenience to employers during the rush of Christmas business, but, after all, the nation was at war. They had a job to do, and it was better to put up with some inconvenience, and get on with that job.

WANTON DAMAGE. DUNEDIN, December 4. Sentencing two youths of 17 years, Allen Wilson Parmenter and Albert Reymond Lawrie, to Borstal detention for two years, on charges of breaking and entering and theft at Dunedin and Invercargill, Mr Justice Kennedy said that in both cases accused committed senseless damage to the premises. At Invercargill, flour, tea, sugar, and eggs were thrown round the walls, the earth from flower-pots was scattered, pictures and a clock were smashed, and the •gas taps were turned on, filling the house with gas, while in Dunedin an electric heater was smashed, a door was kicked in, and bottles of ink were thrown over scattered documents. Both accused had been before the Court previously, and had been warned.

STOREMEN AND PACKERS. WELLINGTON, December 4. A slightly increased wage scale is the principal feature of the agreement reached at the Conciliation Council, between employers in the soft-goods industry, and the Federated Storemen and Packers’ Union. The agreement which is based on a 42hour week, is national. For junior male employees, the wage is increased by 2/6 a week. There is no rise among seniors, until the eighth year of service, when it goes from £5 to £5/5/-. Travellers’ wages are fixed at £5/15/- first year, and after two years £5/17/6. For female workers, there is a general rise throughout the schedule of 2/6, to £ 3 2/6. The new wages are in addition! to the 5 per cent, increase recently granted by the Court’s general order.