TELEGRAMS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19257, 22 August 1924, Page 7

TELEGRAMS.

(Pek United Press Association.) AUCKLAND, August 21. At the Police Court, Harry Ban- Duncani pleaded not guilty to two charges of false pretences. It was alleged that accused obtained £BS from a- man by representing that he was the sole New Zealand agent lor an automobile accessory, and £lO5 from a; printer by representing that he was the proprietor of a publication called the New, Zealand Road Pilot. In both cases partnership was offered. Accused was committed for trial. The Chamber of Commerce has resolved, in view of the Prime Minister’s recent statement that he considered a minimum of 50 per cent., instettd of 25 per cent., of the value of goods must be of British labour* or material before carrying preferential duty, that it would be satisfied with a trial of the proposed amendment before pressing; for a further increase. The City Council has decided to send Mr T. Griffen, curator of the Zoo, to South Africa, East Africa, Egypt, and probably to India to purchase exhibits for the Zoo, the expenditure amounting probably to £3OOO. Mr Griffen will leave to-morrow. WELLINGTON, August 21. The executive of the R.S.A. passed al resolution respecting the statement by tho Minister of Lands that the requests from returned soldiers’ associations to keep thei special concessions alive did not represent the general. opinion of the men. The resolution states emphatically that the Minister has much less opportunity of knowing the . men’s opinion than the associations, and reaffirms its view that the great majority of the men desire the special concessions to be kept alive till justice is done to all returned men.

The Wellington Chamber of Commerco, adopted a report by the council recoup mending the Government to improve and strengthen the finance of its Publicity Department. The report- suggested spending £IOO,OOO annually, and retaining the present primace duty for the purpose. The chain tor also adopted a lengthy report, tn, favour of numerous amendments ip tha bankruptcy laws, which are considered to bo out of date. An Order-in-Ccnmcil has been, gazetted declaring that the reciprocal enforcement of “The Judgments Act, 1921” (Westerns Australia), shall extend to_ New Zealand; also a proclamation declaring that part 2 of “The Administration of Justice Act,* 1921” (South Australia), shall apply to New Zealand.

The Arbitration Court concluded its sittings in Wellington to-day. Tho members will leave for Wanganui and New Plymouth on Monday. The court will bo engaged in those areas for some time; and! it is not expected to return to Wellington, before November.

CHRISTCHURCH, August 21. The Christchurch City Council decided vesterday to strike a general rate of 3jhl in the £ for the next financial year instead of 3gd. It is estimated that the new rate will bring in £II,OOO additional, but that there will still be a deficiency in the revenue account. .

Walter Counsel, aged 10 years, was admitted to the Christchurch _ Hospital, bruised and unconscious, having been knocked down and left on tho road hy a motorist. His condition is not serious.