THE COMMONWEALTH.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17125, 21 April 1921, Page 10

THE COMMONWEALTH.

THE DARWIN WAT. (By Cahle—Press 'Association—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) MELBOURNE, April 20. - Figures supplied from Port Darwin regarding the cost of the removal of two trees from the airplane ground show that 20 men were employed for 17 days at a cost of £7G7, including £B7 for motor-cars to take the men to and from work.

REDUCTION OF HOTJRS. SYDNEY,' April 20. Judge Beeby decided on a fourty-four hour week for the saddlery, fancy leather and .machine belt making industries,.but exempted the tanning and fellmongering industries which, at present, are experiencing a crisis, aggravated by increasing labour costs..

PROPOSED NEW STATE. SYDNEY, April 20. At an assembly of New ; England; delegates, a resolution was unanimously passed that.local, autonomy was essential to the proper development of the North, and the time had arrived to secure- selfgovernment. [New England is the name of the proposed new (State.) . ALLEtJED ARSON. ;' MELBOURNE, April 20. Pimentel has been remanded till April 26th. Bail was .fixed at £SOO. . [A fire .in the premises of the Pederr ated Films, Ltd., in Numan's Buildings, in Melbourne,- caused damage, estimated at £20,000. Miss G; Reilly, who was employed; in the building; aftei telephoning' her employer that''' thvi workrooms were ablaze, was overcome by the'smoke and heat, and burned U death. Norton Palmer Pimentel, managing director of. the Federated Films, Ltd., was arrested on a charge of maliciously setting, fire .to the bunding,, with intent to'defraud.'"]"..""' COAIriIrMPERB' WAGES. (Received April 20th,.9.45 p.m;) s ... ' , j MELBOUItNE, April 20. . Commonwealth Steamship Own* ers' Association has granted the coal lumpers anincrease of 6d in the hourly rate, and 3id per ton for contract work. THE; FEDEEAIi .CRISIS, r <■-K •:. (Received April 20th, 9.40 p.m.) MELBOURNE, April 20. In the House of Representatives, Mr Hughes submitted a formal motion to the effect that certain papers in connexion with the Imperial Conference be •printed... He explained that his ob: ject -1 was to.' test the feeling of the House as to whether it was prepared to restore control of the business to.-the Government, and desired representation at the Imperial Conference. r Dr. Earl Page indicated that if the Government desired Mr Hughes to atfend the Conference, the decision would meet with -the. approval of. his: party. . It is expected the Country Party will vote with the Nationalists, and thus end the crisis.