100 Per Cent Increase In Blanket Imports "v;:v

Northern Advocate, 15 July 1949, Page 7

100 Per Cent Increase In Blanket Imports "v; : v

NEWS IN BRIEF . . .

An increase of 100 per cent in imports of blankets from Britain and Australia for the 1949 period is to be allowed by the Customs Department, says a Wellington message. This is the result of representations from retailers acid importers. One retailer commented that the increased allocation had come rather late for this winter, although the additional supplies would be welcomed. The department has also agreed to consider requests for amendment of licences granted to import textile piece goods from Britain to permit the importation of rayon piece goods from Australia. 41 * * About £39 was taken from a safe at Fyfes, Ltd, Lambtoa Quay, Wellington, during Wednesday night. Not long before the safe was broken open one of the principles of the firm called at the shop and decided to make up the cash for banking. Instead of putting this money, about £250, back in the safe, he hid it with the bank book behind a bolt of material in the shop. Only about £39 in change was in the safe when it was blown open. « sis * An increase in the margin between the rates of pay of skilled and unskilled workers was proposed at a conference of 28 trade union representatives called by the New Zealand Engineering Workers’ Union. The meeting set up a sub-committee which, it is understood, will approach the Government. The existing standard for skilled workers is 3/11 an hour and for unskilled 3/5. Skilled workers’ representatives state that the percentage of margin for skill is now 13.29 per cent, whereas in 1924 it was 29 per cent and in 1935 25 per cent. The difference in 1935 was 6d an hour, as at present but skilled workers pointed out that although the wage rate for skill had risen substantially the percentage margin had not been maintained in proportion. «! * « *

A further increase of 2/6 a ton in the price of coal has been authorised by the Price Tribunal. This is in addition to a similar increase authorised last month, following wages increases granted to employees in mines. “The new increase follows a rise In wages of yardmen, drivers and clerical workers connected with coal after it leaves the mines,” said Mr K. C. Aickin, president of the Auckland Coal Dealers’ Association, yesterday. Other increases which have been authorised are: Bagged firewood, 1/6 a ton; coke, Id a bag- and carbon eiles. 2.Jk. A.ton.

The miners at the Rotowaro colliery did not work yesterday. After a stopwork kneeting which lasted until 11 o’clock they went home. Only a few surfacemen and shift men worked. Production was resumed yesterday morning at the MacDonald mine, which was idle on Wednesday. The men went into the mine after a brief stopwork meeting. # * * * The Invercargill Licensing Trust decided yesterday to distribute to sports bodies, bands and other organisations in the city and province £2500 from its profits for the year ended March 31, 1949. There is a wider distribution this year than last year, when of the total of £2200 distributed £IOOO went to the community centre project of the Southland Provincial Council of Sport. This year £4OO has been given to the community centre and is the biggest single amount. This is the fourth distribution of profits made by the trust. In the first list £5500 was distributed, second £3600 and third £2200. The fourth distribution brings the total to £13,800.