AUSTRALIAN.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 December 1921, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN.

ACSTItALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. SEAMEN’S AWARD. SYDNEY, Dec. 22. The President of the Federal Arbitration Court dealing with the seamen’s claims announced the Court would not give a,wards to unions exercising direct or job control. WAR MATERIAL. MELBOURNE, Dec. 22. ; The Board dealing wilt the disposal of accumulated stocks of war clothing and other material sold £834,000 worth to date, | IRON TRADE. I SYDNEY, Dec. 22. In addition to flic iron trade notices already mentioned many more worksimps, fartoric's, have now given their employees notice that, they are elosimr their works. The notices are given with a proviso that the workers can again apply far employment after the holidays. From to-morrow it estimated that there will he over 15.000 unemployed workers in Sydney Metropolitan area. The Amalgamated Society of Engineers lias suggested to lion Mr Estoll that the New South Wales Government take over the Clilye engineering workshops in order to carry out the Existing contracts. ,'Received This Day at 11.30 a.m.) SYDNEY, Dec. 23. In consequence of the recent lire, the business of the Pastoral Finance Association has been taken over by the cooperative Wool Produce Company, which was established in 1807 by inlltiencial pastoralists, of whom Mr McCaugliey is prominent. The capital was recently increased to £120,000. The arrangement is subject to ratification by the shareholders of both companies. It is believed the amalgamation will eife«t the strongest of pastoral interests from the. view point of shareholders clients. MELBOURNE, Dec. 23. Flour and bran is reduced 10s per ton and is: now £l2 10s and £5 10s. BUTTER TRADE. MELBOURNE. Dec. 23

The Butter Trade Committee appointed to discuss the proposed disposal of the British Government's surplus stocks have received a cable from London stating the total Australasian stock is under 840,000 boxes. Australian is ten per cent second grade and the remainder first. New Zealand's live per cent, second, and tic remainder first. All of last season’s purchase' condition is satisfactory. The Committee considers a re-iluctiim in* shipments from January to March is essential, it ilisas;<’r is to be averted. It is felt the British Government will agree in delay the sale till early in the year, but continue to redme the price to meet the niaikci in the inter'"!, it is fono'd the Bvd'sh Co,.lent will not consent to band over the Stocks to ibe Committee without a definite price being fixed, and a colonial government guarantee is assurer!.

9 DAY FORTNIGHT. SYDNEY. Dee. 23,

A mooting of the Council of Minors’ Federation is discussing whether the nine-day fortnight will bo pul into operation in tho now year. The owners state if they decide in the affirmative there will ho trouble on the tenth (lay.

INDUSTRY IN AUSTRALIA SYDNEY, Dee. 23

In connection with the closing down of a number of large engineering works there is feeling among unionists that employers are taking concerted action to evade Arbitration Awards and cut down the wages. The employers deny concerted action in closing down. Imt claim that the high wages, short hours and low price at which iron im imported from Europe, make it imperative, there should he some readjustment of working conditions in Australia, jto got tile industry hack ton more favourable footing. ■Ke-eived This Day at 11 10 a.m.. SYDNEY, Doc 23. In the Assembly, Mr Donley announced he intended to pass the Estimates and deal with the Amending Electoral Act. now before tile Upper House, and hold an election as soon as practicable. The Opposition strongly opposed Sir G. Fuller stating his party would not agree to pass the Estimates without discussion, but would agree to grant four months supply. Mr Loxton announced in view of tho existing state of affairs, he had joined the. Nationalist Pary. Mr Dooley emphasised tl.nt the passing of the Estimates would not make the slightest difference in the dale of lie elections It is unofficially stated that Government does not propose to drop the Basic Wage Bill fixing tile basic wage at £-1 ss, but intends to omit rural workers from the scope of the Bill and make tho Bill part of the election policy early in the new year.