Dominion News

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 February 1949, Page 8

Dominion News

Municipal Association Conferences

The 1950 conference of the Municipal Association will be held in Auckland, and the 1951 conference in Christchurch.—(P.A.) Price Tribunal Membership

The Government will be asked to appoint a woman with business and accountancy qualifications to the Price Tribunal. This was decided yesterday by the national council of the New Zealand Federation of Labour. Trades councils will be asked to submit the names of qualified persons. — (P.A.)

Funds For Health Camps The Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr W. E. Parry) announced yesterday that the proceeds of the recent ‘•Prizes For Christmas” art union, amounting to £11,418 8s 7d, would be paid>to the Promotion of Health Fund. This is in accordance with the Minister’s practice for several years of making available the proceeds of art unions held in December to assist the children’s health camp movement. — (P.A.)

Umbrella Causes Accident Abrasions, and shock were sufferid by Mrs E. Renwick, of Kakahi, when her upraised umbrella was caught in the piston of a locomotive which was slowly hauling a train through the Kakahi station. It is thought that Mrs Renwick did not hear the locomotive approaching.. When her umbrella was caught by the piston, she was thrown to the ground, but the train stopped after she had been dragged for about five yards. She was placed aboard the train and taken to Taumarunui, where she wa? admitted to hospital.— (P.A.)

Bigger Planes Over Pacific The possibility that Auckland might be by-passed when larger airliners were flying across the Pacific was emphasised by Sir Keith Park at a meeting of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, yesterday. Speaking of the possible introduction by Pan American Airways of giant Stratocruiser aircraft on its South Pacific service, Sir Keith Park said that Whenuapai would be unsuitable for airliners of that type. He thought it unlikely that the aircraft would go to cities south of Auckland, but it would nevertheless be detrimental to the city. If an international airport was not provided, Auckland was likely to find itself by-passed, except for second-rate services—(P.A.)

N.Z. Newspapers Praised Two delegates, one from Britain and the other from the United States, to the Pacific Science Congress last evening praised New Zealand newspapers for the way in which they had reported meetings of the congress and scientific news generally. One, the Briton, said: “The standard of reporting in the New Zealand press has been such as would put most newspapers in Britain to shame. You are indeed very fortunate in having a press which is so science-minded.” The 'American delegate said that United States scientists had been misreported to often that they had waved off newspapermen and remained on a pedestal, but they realised that they had a duty to tell, the public about science. J

“Miss N.Z.” Quest Two Southland candidates have been announced for the “Miss New Zealand” quest. They are Miss Pauline Metzger, of Bluff, and Miss Joan Telfer, of Invercargill. Miss Metzger is sponsored by the Bluff branch of the Returned Services’ Association and Miss Telfer by the Southland branch of the Air Force Association. Miss Metzger is 21. She is a daughter of Mr and Mrs O. F. Metzger, of Bluff. She is interested in music and sport. Miss Telfer is 23. She is a daughter of Mr and Mrs R. J. Telfer, of Napier, and was born at Gore. Miss Telfer is dental nurse in charge of the clinic at the North Invercargill School. She is also interested in music ’ and sport and was a member of Dr R. G. Orbeil’s party which rediscovered the takahe.—(P.A.)

Musterers And Drovers

Wage increases for musterers, drovers, and packers are contained in a new national award issued by the Arbitration Court. The award ent? bodies, the terms of the Conciliation Council settlement. The court, in a memorandum, says that the parties in conciliation agreed that it was impossible to regulate the working hours in the industry, and had added an extra amount to the rates provided under the 1942 award to meet the requirements of the industry in this respect. For musterers the new minimum rate is £7 a week, an increase of 10s 4d, or a daily wage of £1 9s 6d, an increase of Is Bd. . For packers the new minimum is £6 a week, an increase of 8s 4d, or a daily wage of £ 1 6s 4d, an increase of Is 6d. The minimum for drovers is £2 Is a day, an increase of 3s Bd. Youths’ wages are increased by 4s 6d a week to £3 2s for the first year, and. by 6s 6d a week to £4 6s 6d.for the second year. Drovers required to travel to lift stock or to return after delivery will receive Is a mile for every mile beyond 10 miles travelled. A new provision is made for holidays. The wage clauses of the award operate as from January 1, and the other clauses from February 14. The award will remain in force for one year.—(P.A.) :