AUSTRALIAN.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 March 1922, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. ROW ON THE MAHENO. SYDNEY, March 9. The steamer Maheno, due to sail today. is hung up owing to a dispute in the emgine»room. It is stated that trouble was experienced before the vessel left New Zealand, and more occurred during the voyage. As a. result, several stokers were given notice. This was resented by the remainder, who also gave notice. The company was unable to fill the vacancies. It was decided to reinstate the men. The engineers, however, therefore .refused to. sail if the men were allowed to resume. They claimed that they would have difficulties in maintaining order 1 in their department with the same stokers.

MT. LYELL MINE CLOSED

HOBART, March 9

The management have closed the Mount Lyell mine, which will be allowed to fill with water, it being easy to pump if it is decided lo work the mine again.

SEAMEN’S DISPUTE

MELBOURNE', March 9

It is stated that ship owners propose to ask the engineers to agree to a reduction in wnge s ranging from 30» to 10s monthly according to ranks; cooks 13s; and stewards. If the Conference fails to arrive at an agreement the owners will submit claims to the Arbitration Court.

Mr Walsh, President of the Seamen’s Nnion, addressing the Bench in the Arbitration Court on the minutes of the proposed award is the case of the Seamen’s Union against the treasurer of Queensland, said that if t'he senmen of New South Wales did not •get theiir rights, they, themselves would deal with the owners.

SHEEP RETURNS. (Received This Day at 11.30 a.m.) SYDNEY, -March.lo.

The official estimate given of the number of sheep in New South Wales at Ist January, is thirty-thrde million. It is anticipated there will he thirty-seven million at the end of this year.

CLOSING DOWN. SYDNEY. March 10. A report is circulating at Trades Hall

that the Commonwealth proposed to close down Cockatoo Island at an early date.

QUEENSLAND LOANS

SYDNEY, March 10

Mr Fihelly, en route to London, stated twenty-five millions of Queensland loans are falling due in a few years. Queensland is prepared to let bygones be bygones and resume relations with London financiers, if the latter are prepared to reciprocate. BRISBANE, March 10.

Mr Theodore has announced that lie has received a communication from London asking if the Government desired a loan. He is replying that Queensland would not trouble London in the near future, as they had made a satisfactoiy arrangement with America for 1922.

STEAMER IN TROUBLE. Received This Day at 11.30 a.in.) MELBOURNE, March 10.

Word has been received that the Moretoii Bay experienced further trouble with her turbines and is being towed through the Red Sea. BACKING DOWN. MELBOURNE, March 10. The Commonwealth has decided to allow the Victorian Government to bring six German experts, as well as the machinery into Australia in connection with the Morell Brown coal development scheme.

TWO BOYS BURTED. MELBOURNE, March 10. Two boys, Thomas Hickey, aged 13 and George Wood, aged (1 years, aero playing with sand at Black Rock beach, when tiie earth gave way and both were buried, being dead when extricated.

FEDERAL CABINET ACTION. MELBOURNE, March 10

Tib Federal Cabinet has decided, irrespective of the conso(|Uences, they will not allow Unions to take control or shipping, out of the hands of the management. It is understood Cabinet has reconsidered *a former offer by Lord Ineheape to purchase the line. The proposal will be further considered.

DISPUTE SETTLED (Received This Dav nt 10.15 a.m. - ) SYDNEY, March 10. Tt is reported the Maheno dispute was settled at a late hour last night and the vessel sails to-day. The Union Secretary was not informed.

ECONOMIC CONFERENCE. SYDNEY, March 10

Union delegates at the recent economic conference prepared a. report which states a- section of employers hope to reduce wages and lengthen hours of labour. Another section is prepared to offer workers medium control in the management, of industry. There was also a. consensus of opinion forming favourable to the introduction of unemployment maintenance.

SHIPPING TROUBLE. SYDNEY, March 10

The Merchant Service Guild officially expressed disapproval of the action o the Seamen’s Union respecting the Commonwealth steamers, and pointed on if the line failed because of chaos brought about by the Union combine it would acquire the vessels and refuse to employ Australians under Australian conditions. Thus the great principles on which the line was founded would he jeopardised. ________