WELLINGTON NEWS NOTES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13268, 27 April 1905, Page 7

WELLINGTON NEWS NOTES.

(Froji Onr. Own- Correspondent.)

WELLINGTON, April 26. Tlie meeting of shopkeepers last night in reference to the Shops and Offices Act was unanimous in condemning tho Labour Department for its delay in putting the act into operation. A resolution was passed to the effect that a deputation formed of employers and assistants to co-opcrate /with the. Trades aud Labour Council and the Political Labour League wait on the- Premier at tho earliest possible dato. The Premier, in acknowledging with approval a resolution of drapers, clothiers, and hatters in support of clause 3 (6 p.m. closing), writes:—"! feel tho act lias the support of a large majority of the people, and was much needed by those immediately concerned in tho various trades. A few exemptions, however, arc required." But, independently of the question of whether there should ,1)0 exemptions, the feeling of tho meeting was that in the meantime, tho Supremo' Court having decided that combined districts do exist, the act sliohkl on no) account lie suspended. The deputation will probably number some hundreds. In order that assistants may bo able to attend, the Premier will bo asked lo arrange the interview for an hour in tho evening. The result of tho appeal in the case of Shannon v. Tanner has been filed in tho Magistrate's Court, Tho' Appeal Court held that there were combined districts, and referred tho matter back to-tho lower court, where its final disposal has been postponed until a time can be arranged for judgment with counsel, who have been out, of town. It. is cxpectcd that the easo will be disposed of in a few days. An important experiment by Tasmanian fruit-growers lo test tho shipment of fruit to London by the direct steamers from New Zealand, instead of by tho White Star boats from Holwrt, is to be made on the .present trip of (lie Corinthic, to sail tomorrow. The Gothic, which arrived today, brought 6710 cases Tasmanian apnlcs to lie transhipped to tlie Corinthic. The apples aro m 481 It cases, and are in capital condition. Sir Tonkin is in charge of the shipment as representing the fruit-growers. Tho demands for space on tho White Star steamers is so great that shipments are often shut our, and' it. is. to obviate this that the present experiment is being made.