TELEGRAMS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2013, 23 February 1907, Page 3

TELEGRAMS.

Press Association. MR. CARROLL’S SPEECH. WAIROA, Friday. In his speech at Wairoa the Native Minister made only a passing reference to the Land Bill, pointing out that he had no desire at present to trench on what was particularly the province of his colleague, the Hon. Mr McNab. He, however, made it clear that Government’ oughly in earnest in the desire to arrive at a solution of the question of closer settlement. That had all along been a main plank in the Liberal Government’s policy, and that policy would continue. While there would be' no departure from the cardinal principles of the Bill, Government would of course endeavor to perfect any weakness that might happen t'o present itself in the measure. Some people held that an increase in the graduated laud tax, rather than limitation of area, would better promote the desired end, and he was inclined to think that the former method was the least complicated The demand of the country for closer settlement would have to receive immediate practical attention. .

HASTINGS, yesterday. "The Duke’s Own” Maori contingent of 110 left this morning for the Exhibition. PALMERSTON N., yesterday. Mr P. C. Freeth, who has been editor of the Manawatu Times for the past four years, and now intends to go on an extended tour of Great Britain, the Continent and the East, was entertained at dinner last night. Mr J. M. Johnston, President of the Chamber of Commerce, and representatives of the Borough Council, A. and P. Association, the Hospital movement, and Beautifying Society, were present. General appreciation was expressed at Mr Freeth’s work in all matters relating to the advancement of the town and district, and good wishes were expressed for a pleasant tour. PAHIATUA, yesterday. Martin Madigan, of Ormondville, was thrown from a trap when returning from the Woodville races. His neck was dislocated, and he died ten hours later. HAWERA, yesterday. William Cody, aged 58, suicided at Otakero by cutting his throat. A verdict! of suicide whilst in a state of unsound mind was returned. WELLINGTON, yesterday. Under the Teachers Superannuation Act new. regulations are gazetted relating to the allowance to be paid to teachers retiring on account of illhealth. Under these regulations the total annual allowance is to be computed as follows:—In case the contributor, although medically unfit for further duty, is shown by certificate of two medical practitioners approved by the Board, to be otherwise in good health, then the present value of the total annual allowance shall be deemed to be the present value of the annual allowances at 4 per cent, per annum on the basis of Dr. Farr’s life table of the healthy districts of England for males or females according to the sex ■of the contributor, or by such other tables as are used from time to time by the actuary in valuing liabilities under the Act, but in all other cases the present value of the tot'al annual allowance shall bo deemed to be tlm total amount of his contributions without interest. , , ~ Scott Bros., Christchurch, are the successful tenderers for Sloven’s creel; viaduct on the Midland railway. The dates tentatively fixed for the matches if the American University Rugby team visits Now Zealand are: Auckland, April 13th;; Napier, April 17th; Wellington, April 20th and 24th; Christchurch, April 27th; Invercargill, May Ist; Dunedin, May 4th; Palmerston North, May Bth; Wanganui, May 11th; New Plymouth May 15th. The New Zealand Union will guarantee £IOOO. , The New Zealand Rugby Union lias decided that it cannot fall in with the wishes of the Exhibition authorities to hold a football tournament at the Exhibition at, Easter. The body of a man, name unknown, was found in tko harbor to-day. U had evidently been m the water tor some time. . , , The statement made in the telegram from Wairoa that the Native Minister, in the course of a speech in that town, indicated the probability that the Land Bill would be dropped was brought under the notice, of the Acting-Premier by a Post ieperter this morning. . the Hon. HallJo nes informed an Interviewer that the Government had no intention to drop the Bill, which lie considered was Tin accordance with the wishes of the great majority of the people, and of the members of the House. He would not credit that the Native Minister had made the statement attributed to lum, and lie felt that colleague liad been misreported. CHRISTCHURCH, yesterday Unham, a Wellington representativef is unable to play m the first test match against the English team. 'l’fie selection committee have chosen Bonnett, tlio Canterbury bowler, to fill his place.

WAIROA, yesterday. Jas Albert Williams, of Gisborne, acted 28, single, staying with Mr R. \V Johnston, Tarewa, whilst shootin,; liawkes in the bush, stepped over a large tree, holding the double'nii e w ‘MS Sion. ° aus | d t]l e thumb of his right bfoVht totho bipiul, ~a » <1«”« well. STRIKE OF SLAUGHTERMEN. Press Association. TIMARU, yesterday. Another strike occurred at the Pareora freezing works this morning, the 45 butchers there employed declining to start killing unless promised payment at the rate of 25s per hundred. Some of the slaughtermen, when interviewed, said that the butchers at all freezing works in Canterbury were in sympathy with them in the demand for this increase of 5s per hundred. Messrs Bortliwiclt and Sons, who put a large number of sheep through tho I areora works, to-day offered to pay the slaughtermen the rate'they now demand to kill about 2000 sheep for thorn to-morrow. The ofler will probably be accepted. It is understood

that a conference between the representatives of the Canterbury Frozen Moat Company and the slaughtermen is being held in Christchurch to-day, and the men on strike hero are awaiting the result. WELLINGTON, yesterday.

At the sitting of the Arbitration Court) this morning proceedings were commenced against the slaughtermen who wont oil strike at the Goar Company’s and Mont Export Company’s works. Mr Skorrott, who appeared for the men, raised a preliminary objection, claiming that' the Court, had no jurisdiction; that it was asked to impose a fine under soction 15, when the application was to enforce an agreement, and this it could not do. After argument the Court hold that the proceedings under section 15 were not to enforce an agreement, butl the Court thought that the present application might bo treated as an application for a penalty under section 15. Defendants understood the charge which they had to meet. If the charge was established the only question would ho the amount of penalty. The Court thought,therefore, that it had jurisdiction to hear the present' application as an application for a penalty under section 15. Mr Gully applied to appear on bohalf of the slent Export Company, but as the proceedings wore.not, for enforcement of an award,, ho would not do so.

Mr Gray then opened the caso on behalf of the Labor Department. It was the first of the kind in the colony and was of the greatest importance. Ho recounted the circumstances of the recent trouble, submitting that though the word might bo objected to, there was no doubt that, from a common-sense view there had been a strike, and the action of the men had resulted in grent loss and inconvenience. If the offence was proved ho should ask the Court to impose a penalty which would mnko it patent to all that the law must be observed. The case is proceeding. In the course of an interview with a Post reporter. Dr. Findlay, Attor-ney-General, makes a strong defence of the Arbitration Act, and asks what could be substituted for it if repealed. He urges the workers to seriously consider before sotting it aside, and urges that all should unite to endeavor to improve it. Though not perfection, it is infinitely preferable to strikes. The question of cost of living might well be considered in administering the Act.

THE DECISION RESERVED. WELLINGTON, last night. Air Arthur Coopor, President of the Union,stated that the Union had met on the night of February lltli, about ninety members attending. It was decided that the offer of the companies was unsatisfactory and that immediate steps should be taken to cancel registration of tlio Union. They did not exactly discuss a strike —■'knocking off work” was the expression used by several members. He could not remember exactly who talked of it, and there was not, a word at the meeting about stopping work the next morning. The only part taken by the Union was at the meeting at which the proposed new agreement was discussed. The Union had in no way aided or abetted the strike, or applied any of its funds to that purpose. His expenses all came out of liis own pocket. Edward Corner, manager of tlio stock department at tlio Gear Company’s works, said that on the day the men stopped work they said they knew quite well what they were doing On the day of the strike there were 10,000 sheep and lambs at tlio works, but by tlio time the company got the supply of sheep stopped coming down from the country the number reached between 11,000 and 12,000. Richard Jones, ono of the butchers at the Meat Export Company’s works and until lately president of the Slaughtermen’s Union, and ono of the defendants, was called. He said he stopped work of his own motion, as he thought of leaving the district. He had no idea why the men ceased work; lie had done nothing to aid or abet the strike. No evidence was called for the cleCoiinsel, in addressing the Court for the defence, contended that there was no caso to answer. The agreement between the parties of 1904 had not been filed until one day alter the 31 days fro mits completion allowed by statute. The Court reserved its decision. TIMARU, last night. Another strike, took place at the Smithfield works this morning. Forty butchers demanded an increase oi pay from 20s to 2os per 100, or they would not start, and the demand being refused, the sheep were turned out again. It is understood that a conference was held at Christchurch to-day to consider the killing rates, but the Pareora men say they were not, advised of that or they would not have stopped. A minority ot about one-fourth would have been content to go on, but gave in to the majority. The result of to-day s conference is awaited. A spokesman saw Sir George Clifford passing through Timaru, and told him of the demand, but Sir George gave no definite reply. Mr Sinclair, Borthwick’s representative, had 850 freezers to he killed today, and personally offered to pay the difference in rates as a bonus to get the sheep out of the way. Ihe butchers agreed to kill if the company permitted them to bo decided at Christchurch to-night.

TJTCTSTRIKE BEING ENGINEERED.

HOW PAREORA WAS RUSHED

TIMARU, last night. It has transpired that under a scheme engineered either at Christchurch or Wellington, the butchers at all the freezing works from Auckland to tho Blii If wore to have eeasecl work this morning, but that in consequence of a conference being held at Christchurch to-day that order was rescinded. The telegram failed to reach the Pareora works in time to provent the strike, and the men are very much annoyed that they have come out through such an accident.

DEMAND OF THE LOCAL UNION.

A good deal of uneasiness was felt in Gisborne yesterday when rumors got abroad that tho men at the local freezing works intended to strike at. 4 that/ afternoon. Anything that affects the freezing works naturally is of deep concern to everyone in the district, no matter what their own occupation might be, or how indirect’ is their connection with the industry, and information as to the intentions of tlie men was keenly sought. Undor the Arbitration Court award the men are paid 20s per hundred for slaughtering, and their demand on both companies was for 255. _I he Secretary of the Union, Mr. Jackson, stated that tho request for an answer was not ail ultimatum, the reason for a reply being asked that afternoon was so that the position could be discussed at a meeting last 1M at which representatives wero present from both works wes held in Townley’s Hall last night', and the whole position was gone into at longth. The press were not admitted to the meeting, but it is understood that" nothing will be disclosed until a reply has been received from the employers. That'reply or replies is anticipated to-day.

WAIHI FATALITY. WAIHI, last night. A young man named Maclean,while engaged in the press shed at the Wailii Company’s battery at Waikino, was caught up in some revolving bolting. In the first revolution bis bead was dashed against a steam pipe, and his mangled remains finally fell to the floor. CIVIL SERVICE EXAMINATION. WELLINGTON, last niglit. Ernest McGregor, of Gisborne, has passed the Civil Service senior examination. BAKERS’ CONFERENCE. TIMARU, last night. The Bakers’ Conference concluded its sittings to-day. A motion was carried favoring the appointment of joint committees of masters and men to set'tlo small disputes amicably. It was resolved to recommend unions to adopt the clause to Otago award relative to the training of beginners as an alternative to apprenticeship. The question of establishing a model bakery at Wellington was discussed, some thinking it would be a white elephant. Resolutions were passed, asking the executive to try and get instruction in fermentation put on the syllabus of all technical schools, and that in each union district practical examinations be arranged for bread-making, cakes, and icing. The next conference will be held at New Plymouth. AN ABANDONED INFANT. CHRISTCHURCH, last niglit The nude bodv of a female child, about 3i months old, was discovered wrapped in some brown paper oil a section at the northern end of Colombo street-. The child had apparently been dead for about three days, and there were no external marks of violence. It is understood that tho parentage of the child bas been ascertained.

COUNTY COUNCIL CONFERENCE STRATFORD, last night. . A conference ol delegates from the various county councils in Taranaki met hero to-day to discuss difficulties in the collection of rates on Native lands, and resolved to inako a pieseulation to the Minister on the mat,ter. The confereneb also discussed the spread of noxious woods, and passed resolutions favoring better provisions in the law, for dealing with tlio weeds on lands in Native occupation, advocating extra temporary inspectors of noxious weeds at certain timos, and that inspectors in charge he empowered to prosecute without further reforouco to tlio department. The Conference also discussed model by-laws.

CRICKET. NAPIER, last night. The M.C.C. team of English cricketers commenced their match against the H.B. team on the Recreation Ground to-day. Brnnston, May and S. Havward are standing out of tho English team. The attendance was largo, and the wicket was in splendid order. Tho visitors won tho toss and elected to hat. They remained at the wickets all the afternoon, the last wicket falling just on the call of time, with tho score at 394. All the batsmen, except Williams and Harrison. reached double figures. Tufnoll played a vigorous innings for So, punishing the bowling impartially. He was ablv soconded by Torrens, who reached 87 lfv capital driving and placing . Burns (52) and De Traftord (not out, 28) also played sterling cricket. Fulton, three for SS, and Redgrave, three for 97, were the most successful of tho Hawke’s Bay trundlers. Tho match will be continued to-morrow.

ATHLETICS. CHRISTCHURCH, last night. A meeting of delegates of different centres of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association was held tonight. ft was resolved to recommend the Council to hold the next championship mooting at Wellington, it was also resolved that tho Council should devote attention to the appointment of walking judges, and the Council was recommended to reinstate the annual cross-country championship. It was also resolved that a proposal, having for its object the secession of tlio New Zealand A.A.A. from tho Australasian Union was not one which mot with the approval of the conference. By 6 to 4 a motion was adopted favoring entering into a reciprocity agreement with the New Zealand Athletic Union on the lilies proposed. A long discussion took place on tho proposal to reconstitute tho Council, hut tho matter wast postponed till the next Conference. Tho members of the Council were present at the opening of tho Conference, and, after a very heated discussion, it was resolved that the Conference should be between representatives of tlie centres only, and not a conference between tho centres and the Council. The members of the Council then withdrew, and Messrs. Cooper and Harley, representing Wellington, and Grierson, the Auckland representative- on the Council, announced their intention to resign thoir seats.

PAPAKAIO MURDER. SENTENCED FOR BURGLARY. OAMARU, last liiglit. At the Supreme Court, John Findlay, who was recently acquitted of the murder of n. IT. Ronnie, was to-day convicted of burglary and theft from Rennie’s house at or about the time of the murder. He was sentenced to live years’ imprisonment, and adjudged to be an habitual criminal ,to be kept in custody during the pleasure of tlio Governor at tlio expiration oi the sentence.

THE ARBITRATION ACT. WELLINGTON, last night. The Attornev-General, interviwed on tlie Arbitration Act, said the Act began as an experiment. It did not conie down as an established institution, but had liad to stand all the attack and criticism which beset a new institution. It had been in force twelve years, and be would suggest to its critics the test were they prepared to repeal it, and wliat did they propose to put in its place ? Conceding that the Act has its defects, is it not with all its imperfections infinitely preferablo to the old order of strikes and lockouts? Measured order is better than chaos, and until the critics show that it is worse than useless, or discover something better to supplant it, the Act justifies it existence. We have had so long an immunity in this colony from strikes that we fail to realise the value of our immunity. Dr. Findlay instanced great strikes and the consequent suffering, and continuing his comments, he said that an all important point was that in every great industry there were three, not merely two, parties interested —the masters, tlie men and tlie community. The State was more than an aggregation of individuals worked by means of organised cooperation, the maintenance of which was essential not only to its productive power, but in the largest and most highly developed communities tv its health and existence. “Our Arbitration Court represents the State intervening to settle conflicts between masters and men, and in this colony a strike or lockout is implied in the declaration that the State cannot be trusted to do justice. It is alleged that the Act affords no scientific basis. What scientific basis does a strike or a lockout afford? If anyone can suggest a scientific basis we shall be delighted to discuss it. No perfection is claimed for the Act. It has to grope to its conclusions rather than proceed upon a straight and lighted path.” Dr. Findlay added that the mam strength of the Act lies in public opinion behind the awards given upon the fullest and fairest investigations of the Court. Referring to the statement of the Chief Justice of New South Wales, he said it must be remembered that the Act never had a friend in the Supremo Court there, especially in the Chief Justice. Limitations had been imposed on its power and scope by the higher Court, and it was not so well administered as ours, but tlie New Zealand Act had entirely eradicatel sweating from this colony, and placed in tlie hands of those who without it possessed no means of enforcing their demand, a power equal to that originally exercised by the wealthiest’union in the colony. He instanced the creation and presentoperations of the Domestic 'W orkers Union. He did not deny that miprovements might be effected in the Act. Any reasonable suggestion would be sympathetically considered. He should favor any scheme by winch the Court could satisfactorily allow a higher or a lower cost of living. Tlie worker’s attitude should bo to genuinely improve the Act through Parliament and the ballot-box, and loy~ ally defend and maintain tho legislation in their own interests and that of the whole community. The Minister for Labor had stated the Government’s attitude. “The law, so long as it is on the Staute Book, will be resolutely maintained.”

COMMERCIAL. Press Association WELLINGTON, last night, Tlio last’ of the .season’s wool sales in Wellington was bold to-day. There was no superior wool catalogued. Tlio bulk of tlio wool was from back country growers, mid was log-stained and dirty. Some of tlio lamb’s wool was very seedy, and for this there was practically no demand. There wore 3147 bales catalogued. Prices ruled as follows: Inferior to medium half-bred, 10Jd to llld ; crossbred, medium, fair condition, 101 dto 10.fd ; ditto, coarse, lOd to 10jd ; ditto, inferior, 9Jd to lOd. Lambs’ light, and clean. 10id to lid; medium, 9}d to 10d ; inferior, 8d to ORI ; seedy, 5d to CJtl; piocos and bellies, Gtl to 8Id; locks and was to pieces, 4jd to sjd.

THE EXHIBITION. (By Telegraph Special Service A CHRISTCHURCH, last night School children have formed an un--1 usually large pronortion of the Exhi- : bition attendance to-day, tlireo large Canterbury schools being represented in strong force. Grey and North Otago cadet- battalions took their departure, and their place was taken by tlio Wairarapa contingent; of 283 of all ranks. There has not been a caso of serious sickness at the Exhibition camps sinco they were inaugurated. Tlio boys appear to enjoy greatlv their week of military life, in which" tliore are many interludes for recreation. Church parados and cathedral have boon made a weekly foaturo for tho Anglicans among tlioir number, and the religious needs of the rest are carefully considered. The Wairarapa boys will ho followed by a detachment from Hawke’s Bay. It is understood that the decision of tho Wellington city and suburban schools that owing to tho serious difficulties in the way, it is inadvisable to reopen the question of sending school cadets to the Exhibition. Tills will not prevent Major Cowles arriving about the Btli prox. with a contingent of 200 boys chosen from tiie various Wellington schools. Tho judging of the exhibits is proceeding busily, and dates for judging the various classes have been arranged up to the 27th inst. It is expected that the first result will be available in about a week’s time, after the baby show. ... Tho most popular exhibit in the Exhibition yesterday was undoubtedly tlie sweated industries collection which was especially interesting to tho largo number of women present. Over 5000 people are stated to have inspected the Exhibition during tlie day. , . , Motor launches, which had previously been confined to the river, have lately been placed on Victoria Lake as well, where they are doing large business. The inability of the New Zealand Rugby Union to assist in holding a football tournament at tlie Exhibition at Easter will not mean the abandonment of tlio project. It is probable that His Excellency will offer a trophy of an especially attractive nature to be the prize of the most successful team taking part in the competitions, and every club in New Zealand will bo invited to send a team. The tournament will probably last from one Saturday fill the next, and matches will bo played both morning and afternoon. The present Exhibition will have a unique record for the good conduct of its crowds. The police have not received a single report of pocketpicking since it opened, and only ono man has been arrested for drunkenness He slipped through the gates drunk by some oversight, and was arrested almost immediately afterwards. Some boys wero arrested for pilfering during the early weeks, but the amount of £5 would probably cover the value of their thefts. Only two men have been ejected from the buildings during tho progress of the Exhibition, and their misbehaviour was not serious.

Tlie party of 110 Maoris from Hawke’s Bay now on their way to the Exhibition, will be the largest that has ever occupied the pa at one time. As the “Duke’s Own” tribe have already shown themselves possibly tho finest dancers that the pa has held, tho’ entertainments of this large contingent should bo a great attraction. Extensive preparations are being made for the display of fireworks which takes place on Saturday at 5 o’clock. The display will be the finest of its kind ever held in the Southern Hemisphere. The seventh display of fireworks by Pain and Sons will take place next Wednesday night.. The Besses o’ the Barn Baud commence a -jetiirn season on the 28th inst.