GENERAL CABLEGRAMS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2354, 9 January 1915, Page 8

GENERAL CABLEGRAMS

IBy.Teleero.pli— Pieos Association—Copyright 6 —..

PANAMA EXHIBITION

' TROUBLE OVER AUSTRALIAN REPRESENTATIVE. Melbourne, January S. Trouble has arlson between the Min- • jster for External Affairs and 'Mr. Deakm with reference to the latter acting as Commonwealth representative at the Panama Exhibition, . and there ? r ° i" d ' catl °ns that Mr. Deakin will not rulnll the mission.

SEPARATE STATE

DIVIDING NEW SOUTH WALES. ... . Sydney, January 8. A meeting of residents of Grafton has passed a resolution in favour of making the northern portion of New. South Wales a separate State.

AMERICAN AEROPLANES

LARGE EXTENSION PROPOSED. • '■' Washington, January 7. Tho Naval Affairs Committee passed appropriations for a large extension of the aeroplane service, and a million dollars for the purchase of new machines.

HIGH PRICE OF MEAT

POSITION IN. SYDNEY. Sydney, January 8. The master butchers discussed tho question of the dearness of meat, and decided to ask the Commodities Commission to inquire as to tho abnormally high and sudden- rise in price and the short supplies of stock. Speakers claim- ■ ed that the position waß largely due to the operations of exporters and that the cold storages were full .of carcasses. It was hinted that there was a ring among growers and exporters. Others were opposed to the Government poking its nose into people's affairs. Suggestions in favour of an export' tax and co-operative meat marketing received httle support. The retail prices of beef in the city are now from sixpence to a shilling, and of mutton from fourpence to eightpence. Meat is dearer in the suburbs.

FEDERATION OF UNIONS

TO COMBAT CAPITALISM. . Sydney, January 8. The Railway- Workers' Association Conference voted in favour of submitting a proposal for amalgamation with the Australian Workers' Union to a plebiscite. Supporters of the "proposal argued that the present system of sectional trade unionism was unable to successfully combat the encroachments of capitalism, and that amalgamation of all the unions was necessary.

SHIPOWNERS' ASSOCIATION

mr. w.. appleton re-elected president: Melbourne, January 8. Mr. William Thomas Appleton, chairman and managing director of Huddart, Parker, Ltd., has been re-elected president of _ the Australasian Steamship Owners' Association.

SEIZURE OF WHEAT .

PROCEDURE IN AUSTRALIA. Sydney, January 8. The Farmers J and Settlers' Association is awaiting legal opinion as to whether the Government's action in seizing wheat ib ultra vires of the Commonwealth Constitution. Meantime it has advised its branches regarding the '.working of compensation claims. So far 150 appeals have been lodged against the price paid by the Government, 'while, the association has received two thousand appeals. ; The Inter-State Commission to-day hears the Commonwealth's application for an interim injunction to restrain the New South Wales Government from selling or removing any wheat.

FLOURMILLING FIRM IN TROUBLE

Melbourne, January 8. As the outcome of the -wheat situation Edward Davey and Sons, flourmillers, have obtained the Court's sanction to call a meeting, at which it iB proposed to submit a proposal to its creditors on the basis of 10s. in the £1. . The firm's total liabilities are under £30,000.

RESIGNATION

BRITISH UNDER-SECRETARY. (Reo. January 8, 8.30. p.m.) London, January 8. Mr. Ellis J. Griffith has resigned the Under-Seoretarynhip for Home Affairs owing to private business. He continues to support the Government. ■ ■

STRIKE PENDING

IN WEST YORKSHIRE. (Rec. January 8, 8.30 p.m.) London, January 8. The. Miners' Federation has ordered a ballot to be taken in West Yorkshire on the question of a strike, owing to the non-payment of an increase in wages determined by arbitration.

ANTI-ALIEN LAWS

AMERICAN LEGISLATION. Washington, January 7. The District Court at San Francisco has held that the Arizona anti-alien law prescribing that there must be a certain number of American employees in every business is illegal. '. The British, Italian, and Japanese Ambassadors_ protested strongly against the law, which was referred to the Courts. President Wilson is considering legislation with-the object of preventing individual States from passing anti-alien laws.

N.S.W. WHEAT BOARD

■WHAT IT HAS DONE. (Reo. January 8, 8.30 p.m.) Sydney,. January 8. Mr. Ashford resents the adverse criticisms of the Wheat Acquisition Board. He said thousands of people had cause to be grateful to the Board for preventing the price of bread rising to sixpence a loaf. . Regarding the financial position, the chairman, states that after paying all farmers' claims the Board has a credit of £77,000.

DIPLOMATIC SERVICE

DRASTIC REFORMS RECOMMENDED. (Rec. January 9, 0.30 a.m.) London, January 8. The Civil Service Commission's report on the Diplomatic Service recommends drastic reforms in the direction of providing a wider field of selection. _ Hitherto the Service has been practically closed to a person not provided with private means. The Commissioners recommend that salaries should be so adjusted as to permit members of the Service to live on their official emoluments, and _ are surprised that the existing conditions have been so long tolerated.

SATURDAY HALF-HOLIDAY

(Rcc. January 8, 8.30 p.m.) • Sydney, January 8. | 'A deputation representing the 'whole- j sale meat industry asked Sir. Estell to include in the Early Closing Bill a clause •' securing; a universal Saturday half-holi- , day and a forty-eight-hour week. , Mr. Estell replied that while they > had strikes they could not have arhitra- ] tion. He could not promise to intro- . duce a Bill in the current session, but ; would endeavour to get one throufh. earlx next bsbskhu ~',,