LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15687, 14 August 1914, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

The cargo steamer Invertay arrived at Auckland early yesterday morning from Liverpool, via Las Palmas, Durban, 'and Albany, after a lengthy and somewhat stormy passage of 83 days. She brought about 6000 tons of general merchandise for Auckland i Wellington, Lyttelton and Dunedin. *

The necessity for- supporting local industry during the European crisis was emphasised by members of the Auckland Industrial Association yesterday afternoon. The

president, Mr. S. J. Harbutt, 6aid that merchants should consider the matter of placing their orders for goods in New Zealand instead of sending them outside, for a considerable amount was going out of this country for goods that could be manufactured here, and in many casos the- orders went to Germany. If the- articles required were made in the Dominion it would go a long way towards overcoming the unemployed question which was likely to arise Mr. J. Wilson thought that they should impress on employers the necessity for doing their best to keep all their hands in work. Mr. Parkinson agreed with this opinion. The president moved:— this association urges all concerned to avoid anything in tho nature of a panic in tho industrial world, and expresses the hope that employers of labour will not reduce their hands until they are fully assured of the necessity for such a stop ; also that workers will unite with the masters in maintaining a' calm and rational bearing at this critical time by perfect co-opera-tion." Mr. Wilson seconded the motion which was carried unanimously.

! A nine-year-old boy was yesterday sent | by Mr. E. C. Cutten, S.M., to art 'industrial school, having been found guilty ;in the Juvenile Court of stealing 8s in money, the .property of Dalgety and Company. It was stated that the boy was one of a party who climbed into a Parnoil store, through a broken window. The money was stolen from a canister, where it was placed by Dalgety's employees as "tea-money." Only tho small change was taken, a number of florins being loft.

1 Keen interest lias been displayed during tho last two years by members of tho Auckland Industrial Association in tho question of afforestation, and somo time ago a paper was published on tho subject by tho association. The report of tho Royal Commission appointed to inquire into afforestation has not yet been discussed by Parliament, and the association recently wrote to tho Prime Minister, asking if the report would bo considered during the present session. At yesterday's mooting of tho association, a reply was received from Mr. Mossey, stating that ho . would do his best to havo the report brought before Parliament this session.

"During the last day or two we havo received advico that severs! of the oversea vessels are coming forward from Australia and other ports, and we may therefore look for a little revival in the business of the port, which, during the last few days, has been somewhat slack," said Mr. J. H. Gunson, chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board, yesterday.; " Wo quite anticipate that the cessation of Home sailings will bo only a matter, of a week or two and that when tho necessary adjustments havo been made and confidence restored—which seems to bo speedily coming about—trade with Britain, and this Dominion will go on as usual." Mr. Gunson added that business with the Continental ports which were neutral had also received a 6ovcro shock owing to tho war, and this would havo a prejudicial effect upon tho tonnage of shipping entering and leaving the port for the remainder of the year. There was absolutely no indication that the constal trade, which was considerable, would be at all interfered with, and any alteration in the inter-colonial trado would probably not bo of a serious nature.

Whilo walking along Ponsonby Road yesterday afternoon a single woman named Helon Frances Howard, 40 years of age, who resided in Collingwood Street; suddenly collapsed and fell on to the footpath; "A man, who was close by, went to her "assistance, and sent,, for Dr. Keller. The doctor arrived almost immediately, but.Miss Howard was then dead. , An inquest will bo Md 'tiia morning,

I Tho Harbour Board, at its .meeting on I Tuesday afternoon, passed a resolution that ; subject to validating, legislation, the Mini of £1000 be voted to the •• Auckland' ' Patriotic Fund. The resolution also provided that the Prime Minister bo asked : to introduce legislation to validate such ' payment, and any subsequent amounts . which it might bo considered desirable Ito similarly vote. The board has now J received a telegram from the Prime Minj istcr stating that he is attending to tho j matter, and that legislation will be in troduccd to deal with tho question.

The prices of fat stock showed a marked decline at various auction sales last week, and tlio secretary of the Auck-' land Master Butchers' Association, Mr. C. Grosvenor, was questioned yesterday in order to ascertain if tho retail price of meat would be reduced. Mr. Grosvonor said that nothing had been done so far by his association in regard to an altera-j tion in retail prices. In his opinion, | however, speaking unofficially, he was quite sure that tho matter would bo fully considered by tho master butchors, and in tho event of. a material reduction in tho wholesale prices of fat stock of a more or Jess pormanent character, there would, no doubt, bo a reasonable reduction in '.he retail prices of meat. Tho case of a Dane at I'ongaroa, in tho Wairarapa, who, it is stated, has offered to serve in the expeditionary force and provide his own horse, was mentioned in the Houso of Representatives yesterday by Mr. T. M. Wilford. The member for Hutt said that he had been informed that the man bore an excellent character but that because ho had not obtained naturalisation papers his application had been declined. Tho Primo Minister said that ho did not know that it was necessary to refuse tho services of a man simply because ho was a Dane. There had been dozens of cases in which British soldiers and sailors had 6er\'ed with great distinction in European wars. He would inquire into the oaso.

The Mayor of Cambridge, Mr. M. Wells, has telegraphed to the Prime Minister asking if it would not bo possible for the Governor to issue a proclamation to tho effect that all sums subscribed now for defence purposes shall be credited to tho donors against any war tax that may be levied Later. Such a step, the Mayor believes, would ensure a readier response to the appeal now being made for funds and would allow of the money being available at once.

i When the Williamson pantomime company arrived at Duncdin, tho police, in accordance with instructions, were waiting to challenge a certain Captain Sakcr and if necessary to taka the usual steps to intern him as a German officer. Fortunately before the train arrived the Defence office was communicated with and Major Mac Donald recognised the name as that of a British officer ho knew. Captain Sakcr, who accompanies his wife, Miss Winnie Bolt, of the pantomime company, was highly amused when Major MacDonaid communicated to him the suspicions that his name had aroused in official quarters He is at present on the special reserve and it is understood that he intends to apply for a. commission in the New Zealand expeditionary force.

A territorial named Robert Hislop, while crossing the Parncll bridge fell between the sleepers and on to tho roadway beneath. He fractured both his thighs, and was attended to by Dr. Kinder, who subsequently ordered hi? removal to the hospital.

"Have wo power to vote anything towards the war fund, as has been done by other public bodies?" asked Mr. G. C. Garlick, at a meeting of tie Auckland Industrial Association yesterday. The president, Mr. S. J. Harbutt, replied that according to the rules they had that power, but, unfortunately, thero was no money to vote.. The funds were barely sufficient to pay expenses,. and there was no: surplus. If- tho association had a surplus, he was sure members would only be too pleased to make a donation.

The wisdom or justice of arresting all Germans in New Zealand is questioned by the Wellington Post, which" points out that the Dominion has a number of Germans who are good, sturdy settlers. They have made their homes hore, their interests are hero and they are regarded as New Zoalanders by British friends who admire their manly qualities and steady industry. Yet some of these colonists, states the Post, are still liable for military service in the Fatherland. They are classed as reservists and as such they are being arreted and taken to Somes Island. Tho Post assumes that the Government is following an instruction from the Imperial authorities, but it adds "Apparently the Imperial authorities aro working absolutely on the axiom 'Better to be sure than sorry.'" The opinion is expressed that the enforcement of the order in the outlying parts of tho Empire is a blunder

Tho Industrial Co-operation of New Zealand proposes to hold its annual conference in Chriatchurch in September, and is at present communicating with the various industrial associations to ascertain whether this arrangement meets with their approval. Ono remit which will be discussed is from the Wellington Association, suggesting tho adoption of a brand for all goods manufactured in New Zealand. Tho matter came before tho Auckland Industrial Association yesterday afternoon, and owing to the European crisis, it was decided to suggest that tho conference bo postponed indefinitely.

Numerous inquiries have been received by suppliers of coal as to whether thero would bo any increase in prices on account of the present crisis. One company has, therefore, issuod a circular informing inquirers that the Coal Mineowners' Association, representing practically tho whole of tho coal mines in New Zealand, had, by special resolution, agreed that thero should bo no increase in the present prices of coal.

A meeting of tho employees in the works department cf the New Zealand Herald was hold yesterday, when it was unanimously decided that each employee should

iontributo one day's pay as a first contri-

bution to the Patriotic Fund. It was further resolved that the employees should start a shilling per week fund in tho works, to continuo until tho war is over. Tho expressed wish of the mooting was that the

shilling fund should be devoted to relieving local distress arising from the war.

Tho Young Men's Christian Association lirs decided to forward tho following resolution to tho Mayor of Auckland :— "That this board desires to express its loyalty to His Majesty tho King and the British Empire at this time of crisis; and to t convoy to the local authorities its willingness to help in any way possible in tho city's efforts to assist the cause of the Empire." The Y.M.C.A. building is also offered for any purpose should it bo required by the. authorities.

The following telegram has been received by Mr. F. D. Youge, secretary of the Otahulm Trotting . Club, from the Prime Minister :—" Please accept and express to tho members of the Otahuhu Trotting Club tho warm thanks of tho Government of New Zealand for tbo club's generous donation of £100 towards the expeditionary forco fuud. Tha donation is accepted gratefully."- j