AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2581, 1 October 1915, Page 9

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

PENALTIES FOR STRIKES AND LOCK-OUTS. BJEPiiUIi OJT EXISIUvG LAW. Ey'lMhcfrajh—Erees Association—Copyriglit Sydney, September 30. In the Assembly, Mr. j. listeH (Minister of Labour) stated that lie uitendisd to introduce legislation to repeal tho existing law so far as it imposed penr altaes for strikes aiid lock-outs.

MERCHANT SERVICE DISPUTE. Syciliey, September 3U. The Steamship Owners' Association has advised the Merchant Service Guild that it prefers to refer its claims to Vho Arbitration Court.

PRODUCE PRICES REDUCED. NEW. SOUTH WAXES GOVERNMENT WHEAT • PURCHASE. Sydney, September 30. luo Commodities Commission lias reduced the prices of brau and pollard 2Us., to 80s. per ton. Oatmeal, chaff, and chickwheat have also been further reduced. Tho final date for tie Government wheat purchase has been extended to October 16. CONTROL OP JTUBS BOARD CRITICISED^ Perth, September 30. Members of the iepskiire' Council severely criticised the operations of the Control of Trado JJoarf,"'parfcri3arly the losses on the maize, braaij and pollard importations..

VICTORIAN CABIMET WILL S!T TIGHT. ' DECLINES TO RESIGN. • 29. The Peacock Ministry rejected the liberal meßifers 1 prcgamsals for tho ieBigiiat«BTi of Cabines, and resolved to remain iia office. [As the outcome of a mesttngj. dissa'tisfied Ministerialists asked tie Premier that tie Ministry should agree to confer with fte-reiisaieSer of the party on the question of electing a, best Ministry, or 3 alternatively., efeciSng a Premier who will choose Sis oura ooßeagnes. Sir A. J. Peacock (Premier) subsequently announced that Cabinet wauld consider the matter. TSio Hon. H. M'Kenzie (member • for Rodney) was general regarded as tbe leader of tho new section.] Melbourne, September 30. In the Victorian Assembly, a section of the Liberals elected Mr. N. M'Leod as its leader, who tabled a want of confidence motion. The House has adjourned.

AN EXPENSIVE CHIMPANZEE. COST ITS OWNERS £450. ' ' Sydney, September 29. • On a recent occasion a. crowd which was watching the recapture of a chimpanzee wildly scattered when the animal ■made a forward movement,, and. one women dropped dead. A jury subsequently awarded tlie deceased's husband £450 damages against the owners of the chimpanzee, on the ground that the woman's death was the •result of negligence and want of care on the part of the owners . in keeping the animal. .■

ROYAL COMMISSION ASKED FOR. administration of patriotic FUNDS. Sydney, September 29. A Royal Commission to inquire into the administration of patriotic funds has been asked for.

ITEMS IN BRIEF. HIGH EXPLOSIVE^ SHEIiL MA NTT. - FACTURE. ~ Melbourne, September 30. The preparations for the manufacture of high explosive shells are progressing It is. expected to commence shipments to Europe at the end of the year.

BANK RATES OF EXCHANGE ALTERED. Sydney, September 30.' The banks have altered the rates of exchange on London. They are now framed on a 41 per cent, basis. WORK FOR RETURNED SOLDIERS. 1 Sydney, September' 30. Hie Government proposes to establish an employment bureau for returned soldiers. • ' RECRUITING BRISKER IN SYDNEY. , Sydney, September 29. •there has been considerable improvement m recruiting during the' past few days.

GERMAN PINED. / •a j. v Sydney, (September 29. nJt German has been fined r failing to report a fellow-coun-tryman who possessed a revolver and ammunition.' IRON TRADES AND 44-HOUR WEEK. Brisbane, September 29. A compulsory conference-of the iron trades has agreed to a forty-four hours week and slightly increased wages. FINED FOR EXPLOITING THE PUBLIC. (Rec. September. 29, 10.35 p.m.) a i.\ , -Sydney, September 29. 1 A batch of traders wero.fined from 2 S ' £ l° t or ® ellln e ■ commodities above the fixed prices.