AUSTRALIAN.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 February 1918, Page 1

AUSTRALIAN.

, [PER PRESS ASSOCIATION. —COPYRIGHT.] SHARP RISE; IN SHARES. SYDNEY, Feb. 25. Despite the statement that the managing director of the HuddartParker Company knew nothing 'regarding the persistent rumours of the proposed amalgamation of his Company and H<>ward-Smith’s and possibly the Adelaide Steamship Coy., there is a keen demand including New Zealand orders for both in Sydney and Melbourne. These companies’ shares are now quoted at; Buyers; Huddart’s 39/-, Sellers wanted 15/-. N.S.W. RAILWAYS. THE CARD SYSTEM. SYDNEY February 26. The Assistant Treasurer /states that the Government hopes to provide £43,000 to pay. the railwaymen, dismissed as a result of tile late strike, their refunds of superannuation payments Judge Curlewis has opened a- Royal Commission of Enquiry into the card system, introduced by the i Railway Commissions, which is the ostensible cause of the big strike. The solicitor for the Railway gave evidence that though the operation was only a few months in vogue, the system resulted in a large saving in working expenses. He denied any intention of the system ,to penalise workmen. 'fhe Chief Commissioner gave evidence that between five and six thousand railwaymen had gone to the war Many were not replaced; yet the same amount of work was being done with more effective methods. If the men came hack they would replace casual labour. Asked if there had been no war, what would he done with the surplus labour he replied; “Non-fill-ing resignations and dismissals would have given the same results.” A NEW VTR.TTLF.NT DISEASE. THE DOCTORS PUZZLED. SYDNEY r February 26. A number of deaths in the past few weeks in the Broken Hill districts are due to a mysterious disease resembling infantile paralysis and known as “X.” The doctors are puzzled. The disease is becoming more virulent and spreading to other districts.