ROAD TO RUIN

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 22 November 1927, Page 5

ROAD TO RUIN

SYDNEY CITY’S DEBT LABOUR COUNCIL’S SPLASH, GAY TWO AND A-HALF YEARS. [By Cable — Press Assn. — Copyright.] (Received 22., 8.15 a.m.) Sydney, Nov. 22. According to a statement presented to the City Council its capital debt amounts to £22,000,000, on which it is paying £640,000 interest as against £443,000 when the Labour lidministration took charge two and a-half years ago.

The Labour party also found a surplus of £93,500 and converted it into a deficit of £163,000 during their term.

CAUSE OF INCREASED RUNNING COST.

(Received 22. 11.25 a.m.) Sydney, Nov. 22

The Hon. T. R. Bavin, Premier oi N.S.W., is consulting the Premiers of the respective States with the object of making joint representation to the Commonwealth Government with regard to the overlapping of awards and conflicting industrial legislation. Mr. Bavin has already held a conference with the Federal Minister, at which he pointed out that the Federal Industrial Arbitration Court and its control over railways had added £1.200.000 annually to the running costs of the State railways and the States had no control whatever over this Court. It was creating grave difficulties to the States having two independent and unco-ordinate.l authorities controlling different sections of the railway services. The Hon. S. M. Bruce stated that he was prepared to consider any representations made on the subject by the States. RAILWAYS’ HEAVY DEFICIT. (Received 22. 11.25 a.m.) Sydney, Nov. 22. In view of continued heavy deficits in railway revenue the Government and the Commissioners are considering a scheme involving an increase < fares and rigidly reducing working expenses, which the 44-hour week and increased rates of pay abnormal added to. ARMY OF UNEMPLOYED. (Received 22 ,11.25 a.m.) Sydney, Nov. 22. Official figures disclose that the unemployed now total 15,000. This is generally considered 1 due, to a large extent ,to the restrictive legislation of the late Labour Government and the bad season, which has thrown a largo number of men' out of work in the country districts.. Many of these come to the city only to find conditions no better than in the rural districts.