CONDITIONS IN AUSTRALIA.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20107, 10 December 1930, Page 11

CONDITIONS IN AUSTRALIA.

SERIOUS CRISIS j PREDICTED. i I OPPOSITION LEADER'S i STATEMENT. i FORMATION OF NATIONAL COUNCIL SUGGESTED. ! i lu:;iiEr< trkss association—u'f ELEcraic TEI.EORAPII COPYRIGHT.) (Received December 9th, 11.30 p.m.) CANBERRA, December 9. On the motion for the adjournment of the House of Representatives to-day, Mr J. G. Latham, Leader of the Federal Opposition, declared that Australia was threatened by an imminent national crisis, the grave effects of which would be felt after Christmas, when many large factories and big stores would close, throwing thousands more into the ranks of the unemployed. He proposed the appointment of a National Council, representing all political interests, to devise measures to meet tho crisis. The Council must be representative of all classes of the community and Party politics must be sunk. An attempt should be made to ft.niulate a plan for three to five years' duration, for the rehabilitation of industry, and it would ultimately be the responsibility of the Commonwealth and tho State Governments to determine whether the plan evolved by this council should be accepted or modified. _ . . Other members of the Opposition en-do'-*ed Mr Latham's remarks, after which Mr E. J. Fenton, Acting-Prime Minister, said that the proposal was very important and needed consideration. Cabinet Minister, fully appreciated the plight of the rural industries and the vast amount of unemployment. 71c would place the suggestion before members of his Party. The motion for adjournment was negatived on the voices.

ABOLITION OF THE COUNCIL PROGRESS OF THE BILL. (Received Dcefcmber 10th, 1.1(J a.m.) SYDNEY, December 9. The Legislative Council passed the Bill for the abolition of t at Chamber. Members condemned the Government j for wasting tin-e in trying to abolish the Council when its first duty "was to honour its promise to the vast army of unemployed. The Hill was read a first time in the Legislative Assembly. SYDNEY, December 9. The State Government lias decided to await developments in the move to abolish the Legislative Council, and not to prepare definite plans for future action. . Cabinet expects both Bill3 with which the abolition of the . Council will be effected to pass all stages by Thursday. RAILWAY WORKERS' HOURS. PERTH, December 9. An increase from a 4-t to a 48-hour week for railway workers was granted by the State Arbitration Court, on the application of the Government.