TELEGRAMS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19240, 2 August 1924, Page 13

TELEGRAMS.

(Pee United Peess Association.) AUCKLAND, August 1. Referring to a recent cablegram concerning Naum phosphates, Mr A. F. Ellis, tho Now Zealand representative on the British Phosphate Commission, said it was in no sense correct to say that a deadlock had been reached. The New Zealand Government was fully posted as to the situation, and tho dominion’s interests wore being safeguarded Ho also mentioned that the details of proposed developments were the subject of negotiations between various commissioner!! who were in communication with each other, and there was every reason to hope that tho outcome would bo satisfactory to all interests. Tho births registered in the city for July totalled 359, constituting a record. In the previous July tho total was 242, so that there was an increase of 97. For the seven months the total is 1952, against 1877 last year. Deaths totalled. 163 in July, against 183, making the year’s total 931, against 893. There were 128 marriages last month, against ■ 145 in 1923. Tho total for the seven months is 1180, compared with 1184 in tho previous period. Tho arrivals at Auckland for tho month were 1840, compared with 946 in the prevvicrus July, duo to the arrival of the Corinthio and Suffolk with about 800 immigrants. Departures numbered 1182, compared with 873. WELLINGTON, August 1. When a draper’s assistant, Wilfred Albert Wootton, appeared before Mr Page, S.M., for sentence on a charge of theft of material from James Smith (Ltd.), tho probation officer said ho could tyst recommend probation. Tho magistrate, in sentencing Wootton to two months’ imprisonment, said public interest must bo regarded. Accused had been in a position of trust, and had committed a senes of thefts from his employer. This class of offence was becoming too common. The South African War Veterans Association Conference ended at Wellington after a deputation had interviewed Mr Massey and* placed the desires of tire association before him. The deputation received a sympathetic reply. The final session discussed matters concerning the organisation of tho association. It was decided that the first Sunday in June of each year be a memorial Sunday, round which tho South African veterans’ ceremonies will centre. The next conference will bo field at Dunedin during the Exhibition, PENSIONS FOR IMMIGRANTS. TO THE EDITOB. Sib— May I bo allowed through your columns to explain to the citizens ot Dunedin my position regarding the petition 1 am asking to be signed on behalf of the old-age pensions and widows’ pensions to the immigrant? My own mother and fathei came to Now Zealand 16 years ago, after brin"in' r up a family of 17 children (nine girls° and eight boys), six boys serving in the Imperial Army from the age of 16, fightinor through Che South African War and the late war, ono eon being killed and two rendered practically unlit for life. My father worked‘for Mr Galium, Dunedin, up to the a~o of 78, when lie then applied for a pension, and was told that he had not been in New Zealand long enough to get it. He had used his savings and nominated eight of his children here, who arc bringing up 40 children in New Zealand, and applied for help from the Now Zealand Government in his last illness at the age of 84 years, onfy to be told there was no help for them. Another case under my notice is that of a man and wife with five young children arriving here two years ago. The man died from I "heart strain with hard work, and his widow and her five children are not entittlcd to a widow’s pension. These are some of tho cases I am fighting for. After all, wo aro all under the British flag, and if Now Zealand cannot provide for these people then the British Govcimmeat must. I would like your readers also to understand this is not a political question, as although I have tho honour to be vice-president of the Women's Labour Party, I am fighting this singlehanded, using the money I got by nursing to pay for the expense of getting the petitions, and in some way I intend to get to England with them. I have .the support of most of the social workers, clergy, and a number of other representative bodies is giving their signatures to the petition, which is meeting with the reception I anticipated from any man or woman with a sense of right and justice.—l am, etc., Mbs J. J. Neilson, Vice-president Women's Labour Party.