AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2605, 29 October 1915, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

COAL LUMPERS' STRIKE GERMAN INTRIGUE SUGGESTED. Br Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Sydney, October 28. In the Assembly a series of questions was: asked, suggesting that the lumpers' ' strike was fomented by German agents. Owing to the fact that three hundred British-born lumpers had en- - listed, a large proportion of the men ; now aro foreigners. , Mr. Estell (Minister for Works) promised to investigate. STRONG COMMENT IN COURT. (Rec.' October 28, 9.15 p.m.) Sydnoy, October 28. The secretary of the Steam Collier Owners' Association has applied to the Industrial' Court for an order calling upon the Coal Lumpers' Union to show cause why it should not be penalised and its registration suspended, ■' or cancelled, for striking. Counsel for the association stated that the pro- . prietors were willing to do anything to facilitate the hearing of views'- and claims, and would even accept a. retrospective award. He would withdraw this application if the men returned to work. • Counsellor the union, asking for an adjournment, declared that he had been informed t'hat if the parties could meet in friendly conference tho whole trouble would be settled in a few hours. Mr. Justice Heydon accordingly adjourned the case till to-morrow. In offering the services of the Court, with a view to arriving at a settlement', His Honour expressed surpriso that the men bad included the troop transports ' inj the cessation of work. It looked as if i the Sydney coal lumpers: wanted to imitate Germany in treating an agreement as a "scrap of paper," only to be observed so-long as it suited .themselves. The men were also standing alongside Germany and fighting tho Empire by not allowing the transports to_leave. "That sucli a condition of ' things can be possible in a time of war, in a free country, under a. free constitution, is incredible," ; he said. "It makes ono doubt if freedom is a right form of government—at anyrate in war time. It is a new feature, blacker 1 than any we hav-o had before in industrial matters.'' .

MEN RESUME TO-DAY. (Rec. October 29, 1.40' a.m.) Sydney, October 28. A mass meeting of the coal lumpers has accepted the proprietors' offer'of a conference, and tho men will resume tvork to-morrow. EARLY CLOSING OF HOTELS, BILL IN NEW SOUTH WALES . ASSEMBLY. Sydney, October 28. Mr. Holman has introduced a Bill for closing hotels at 10 p.m. Speaking to the Bill, he said that a. Victorian measure of the kind had .now been in force for months, but there was no visible improvement; drunkenness bad increased. The Minister for Defence had ' asked for an Early Closing Bill for the purpose of safeguarding soldiers, and but for his request there would be no such Bill before the House. "I am moving only on the ideas of the Defence Department, not my own," said the Premier. "It is with,-:great doubt that I introduce tlio legislation." .Mr. Wade's amendment, altering the time of closing from ten to nine, was negatived, and the Bill passed its first reading. COUNTRY' PRESS CONFERENCE. - THE NEWS CENSORSHIP.' . Sydney, Octobor 28. The annual conference of the Coun- ■ try Press Association adopted a series of patriotic resolutions, one declaring that there could be no talk of peace till the German policy of force has been irretrievably smashed, and the highlyplaced criminals . responsible for tho war had been punished. Mr. J. D. Fitzgerald, referring to Japan, said, speaking in a full sense of responsibility, that the attitude of Australia towards Japan in the future would have to be changed, and, if changed, there mult be a complete understanding between the two countries. What Japan did for Australia in these seas in a time of trial had placed her under an obligation which iio honourable Australian could ever forget. Referring to the censorship, be said the Press was not getting a square deal. The censorship seemed to bo based on the idea that the people of the Empire were children who c9uld.be deluded by false stories of futile* victories, while disasters were concealed. The Press ought to be allowed to tell the truth. Tile authorities, British or Australian, had no right to muzzle the Press. THE COLLINGWOOD TRAGEDY. Melbourne, October 27. In connection with the* tragedy which occurred at Collingwood, when' an invalided pensioner, William Green, and a woman named M'Cormick, his housekeeper, were found, shot ■ dead, -at Green's residence, the surmise that Green killed the woman and himself as the outcome of a recent quarrel has been confirmed. DROUGHT AND BUSH FIRES. • Sydney, October 28. The drought in the north coast districts has been aggravated by heavy bush fires. Much pasturage and a •number, of residences have beon destroyed. ' WANT-OF-CONFIDENCE MOTION. Hobart, Octobei* 28. It has been moved in t]ie Assembly, as a waut-of-eonfidence motion, that the Financial and Public Works Statements be referred to a Joint Committee. THE WAR CENSUS. (Rec. October 28, 11.10 p.m.) Melbourne, October 28. Nine hundred and seventy-eight thousand war census cards have been examined. Tho percentage of fit is 63, doubtful 31, and unfit a. FEDERAL TEN MILLION LOAN. (Rec. October 29 1.40 a.m.) Melbourne, October 28. Mr. Hughes has confirmed the Government's proposal to raise a further Joan of ten millions.