SOUTHLAND NEWS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3419, 26 September 1919, Page 27

SOUTHLAND NEWS.

(Fbom Our Own Correspondent.) INVERCARGILL, September 23. When Mr R. R. Douglas, of Dunedim, lectured on "State Control of the Liquof Trade" in the Victoria Hall on the 9th inst. he got an audience of exactly 26, and had such difficulty in securing a chairman that he gave it as his opinion that the prohibitionists had intimidated the business men of the town, and none dared to extend to a moderate man the courtesy of taking the chair for him. He added that the prohi. bition cause was losing ground in Southland. Mr Baxter, for many years a. strong advocate of prohibition, contradicted Mr Douglas's statements, and offered to take the chair himself at Mr Douglas's next meeting. Tho offer was accepted, and the meeting was held in the Grand Picture Theatre on Thursday evening. There was a very big audience, indicating that both sides had been vigorously whipping up supporters. The meeting was a fairly orderly one, except that a well-known individual made himself somewhat of a nuisance. Mr Baxter' "was allowed 10 minutes of an address in introducing tho lecturer a.nd 20- minutes to reply, and made the most of his opportunities.Mr Douglas's 'statements were treated with good-natured tolerance by tho majority of those present, and at the close of the meeting the following resolution was declared) by the chairman to be carried:—"This meeting, while thanking Mr Douglas for his interesting address, has no confidence in tho proposals put forward by him, £#id emphatically pledges itself to oppose Stats purchase and control as provided for in 'The Licensing l Amendment Act, 1918/ Tho chairman's ruling did not meet "wittt the approval of a small, but somewhat noisy, section in the south-east corner or the hah; but it was clearly approved by the majority of those present. Before the meeting closed it. was arranged that Mr Douglas would return to Invercargill some time before the licensing poll, when Mr Baxter will debate the question of Sta-to Control with him.

,The half-yearly meeting of the M.U.1.0.0.P., Southland district; was held at Nightcaps on Wednesday, when 11 lodged were represented, the delegates from all over Southland reaching the coal mining l township by motor. The InvercargilJ Corporation, are at present trying to get through Parliament a Bill to authorise th>3 inclusion in the town of the extensivo area of land known as Lcnnel, which extends from the eastern portion of Gladstone to the Waihopai Paver, and belongs to the faihily of tli3 late' J. T. Thomson. It is anticipated that when this inclusion is made the North Invercargill tram line will be extended down, from Ann street to the scenic reserve on the Waihopai River.

There is a very general feeling in Invercargill that a rise in suburban land values will be experienced during the coming summer. A fair amount of building is going on, and much more is anticipated, as it is now recognised that there is no prospect of an early reduction in the cost, and thei-e is a great demand for five or six roomed houses.

At a meeting of old Park School pupils, held on Tues3ay evening, it was decided to erect a tablet in the Waihopai Schoof to the memory of former pupils, about 400; who took part in the great war.

Mr J. B. Greig, who has baen a draughtsman in the local Survey Office for the pa-st 48 years, and is now retiring] on superannuation, was on Tuesday last farewelled by the officers of the department and made thi3 recipient of a presentation as an indication of the esteem in which ho is held.

Mr C. Thomson has still a_ big lead in the Egg-laying Competition, his total being 625 eggs. The next best are J. E. Anderson, 556; and Mrs Goriinslci, 554. Butter is still very scarce in Invor car gill, but an improvement is expected before the close of this week, and a full supply in about a fortnight. The wages to he paid to butter factory assistants during the year iust be-ehm have now b°en settled. In all factories with over three assistants the first assistant is to receive £4 10s per week, and others front £3 6s 6d to £4 4s, learners will be paitf from £l to £2. In cheese factories firaf assistants will bo pi id £4 15s, £4 10s, ant £4; second assistants £4 2s 6d. £4, and £3 15s; third assistants, £3 15s, £3 10s. am £3 ss; other emnloyc-es will be paid £i 5s per week and learners £2 10s for iheii first reason.

A noiitiQ*! is now in circulation in Inverasking for the inclusion of the* borough in the proposed Southland electrical, power district. The Borough Council having approved of the scheme, it is probable that the petition will be v«ry generally signed.