AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2827, 19 July 1916, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

TRADE WITH JAPAN - DIRECT SERVICE ToXwESTEEN AUSTRALIA. , • / ' By Telegram—Press Association—Copyright^ , Sydney, July 18. Tho Japaneso Special Trade Commission to the South Seas, after visiting Melbourne, Adelaide, and Perth, forecasts a direct steamship service between Japnn . and Western Australia, where tho possibilities for reciprocal trade are distinctly ' good. The Commission considers, tho wool trade will increase amazingly. japan at; present is manufacturing large quanof khaki for Russia, and when the conflict ends there will be a great outlet for the same trade in China. Tho Com- ' mission anticipates a'.big demand for. frozen beef, xino, copper, and lead. ' THE STRIKE NUISANCE - FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SEEKS A . REMEDY; ■ (Rec. July 18, 9 p.m.) Melbourne, July 18. It is understood that the main fea-i ture of the Industrial. Peace Preservation Bill, which the Ministry has decided to introduce, will provide for the taking of a secret ballot [by a State-ap-poiuted official, to Hecide whether a -strike shall be declared—this with the object of reducing the number of strikes. COLLIERIES CLOSED IN NEW . SOUTH WALES. THE MECHANICS' STRIKE. (Rec. July 18,'9 p.m-.)/ ■ "• \ Sydney, July. 18. AH the colliery mechanics in Maitland have, ceased work. Twelve collieries, employing-over four thousand men, are affected. The employees in. Btown's Minmi collieries have received a fortnight's notice to quit, when the pits will be closed. ; . DEFECTIVE MOORINGS. DAMAGES AWARDED TO SHIP'S OWNERS. ■ , Melbourne, July 18. . Reserved judgment has been delivered in the claim by the owners of the b'irque Fram for <£0100 damages from the Mal- . den Island Proprietary, the- value of the which was .wreaked the result •li#of alleged defective moorings supplied by <• .tho defendants. The verdict was for the plaintiff.for ,£4OOO. The owners of tie Active " also claimed *El7ll for failure to supply a cargo of guano nnder rjiarter, and failure to pay , for unnecessary detection at the .Bluff. The verdict was for the plaintiff, with damages ,£1052. RUNNING-AT A LOSS. NEW SOUTH WALES RAILWAYS. Sydney,; July ]-S. Speaking at Parke3, the Railway Commissioner (Mr. Eraser) said that the railways vorn not paying, as the result of. ■ awards which increased wages. Ho did not think tliey would ever pay again. CLOTHING AND HARNESS EQUIP- . j . MENT. ' YEAR'S OUTPUT FROM STATE FACTORIES.- - Melbourne, J-uly 18. A year's output of the Commonwealth clothing and harness factories of equip-' monts for the' Expeditionary Forces totals hnlf a million.

ITEMS IN BRIEF. REPATRIATION .FUND. Melbourne, July 18. • Oclxibcr 27 has been fixed for tlio tirst appeal throughout the Commonwealth for a Repatriation Fund. THE. AIR SQUADRONS GIFT MOVEMENT. Melbourne, Julv ! IS. Tho Victorian Government has decided not to assist the scheme for. the presentation of nil- squadrons to Great Britain. fA movement was started in Sydney to secure funds for a complete air squadron from each' State for tne Imperial Government.! QUEENSLAND PREMIER IN AMERICA. New York, July 17. Mr. T. J. Ryan, Promier of Queensland, and Jllr. P. J. MacDerinott huvo left for Washington. NEW SOUTH WALES PARLIAMENT. (Roc. July 18, 9 p.m.), Sydney, July 18. The New South Wales Parliament has opened. The Governor's Speech referred to thn hopeful outlook in tho progress of the war, and the assurance of a good harvest owing' to the recent rains. Arrangements, ill spite of financial difficulties, had beeu made for the continuation of railway and other developmental works.' CYCLONIC STORMS. (Rcc. July 19, 0.50 a.m.) Sydney, July 18. Cyolonic disturbances, accompanied by heavy rains, are reported from tho southern districts. Adelaide, July 18. . A. violent etorm did considerable damago to property, dislocating telegraphic communication. QUEENSLAND PATRIOTIC FUNDS. Brisbane, July 17. The patriotic .£909,000. CENSORING THE MOVIES. Melbourne, July 17. in responeo to tho demands of reli gious bodies, the Government is pro paring a Bill to provide for tho censorship of moving pictures.