DOMINION NEWS

Grey River Argus, 1 December 1938, Page 10

DOMINION NEWS

[Per Press Association.] CHRISTCHURCH, November 29. A motor-truck driven by Eric B. Withell, son of Mr H. C. B, Withell, Ealing, was struck by the north-bound express at the Hinds railway crossing at 5.45 this evening. The driver of the truck escaped injury. I ..Withell noticed the train when he was nearly on the line, and realising it was too late to apply his brakes,' he endeavoured to get across in front of the train, but the engine struck th e back of the vehicle. The truck was badly damaged and its contents, kerosene and grass seed, were strewn along the line.

WELLINGTON, November 30. Further efforts are to be made in the endeavour to reach a satisfactory settlement of matters in the Dominion drivers’ award, which caused dissatis-| faction among workers. This was decided at a mass meeting of members of the Wellington Drivers’ Union, up-i ward of 400 being present. A resolution was adopted that the New Zea-1 land Drivers’ Federation should act in conjunction with the New Zealahd Federation of Labour, in a further effort to reach a settlement on the isuses on which the men claim they have a just grievance. “I have declared war on the lotwapiti, chamois, and thar,” said the Minister for Internal Affairs (Hon. W. E. Parry) replying to a deputation: from the Southland Acclimatisation] Society yesterday. A plea was made by a member of the deputation for consideration for wapiti because of the attraction for overseas visitors, especially sportsmen. “I am not prepared to support any particular movement to induce people to come here at the expence of something more beautiful than wapiti—our native flora,” the Minister added. “If we fail to conserve that bush we are committing a grave breach of trust. I have declared war on the lot. I’m sorry, but that i s the position. They are doing a lot of damage.” DUNEDIN, November 30. When the Maunganui arrived at Dunedin yesterday, six Australian shearers were met on the wharf by a State placement officer, and were immediately engaged to work on several sheep stations in rotation throughout the season. Other shearers disembarked at Bluff and were eagerly accepted, one farmer motoring from the Lakes district to offer employment to these skilled workers from across the Tasman. More so than in any other year are shearers from Australia coming to the Dominion for the season. The placement Officer said that applications for shearers are reaching him each day. There are about 40 blade and six machine shearers wanted, but such is the shortage that he, at present, cannot give farmers satisfaction. The register containing the occupations of men on public works has been searched, and the result has been that about 30 men lave been withdrawn from these constructional activities and sent to the

sheds.

AUCKLAND, November 30. Warm and heavy rain which fell in Auckland and over the greater part of the province yesterday was valued at thousands of pounds by farmers and

market gardeners, who have not drawn material consolation from November weather, which consisted of many wet days and little rain. Since the beginning of the month, showers

have fallen in Auckland on 16 days and a further eight days have proved cloudy or overcast; but only on isolated occasions has the rainfall been of sufficient intensity to benefit the farming areas of the province. With the decline in pastures, there has been a continued drop in primary production, and the heavy rain over a wide area yesterday was welcomed.