AUSTRALIAN.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 May 1922, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.2. CIABLB ASSOCIATION.

B.A.W.R.A. MONEY. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) MELBOURNE, May 16. £5,000,000 sterling will be distributed amongst B.A.W.R.A. shareholders on Thursday. The money will be pc direct to shareholders, not to brokers. GOVERNMENT IGNORES UNEMPLOYMENT. SYDNEY, May 15. Although Hon Mr comments adversely on Communism growing in the Labour Movement, the Government, on the other hand is now being adversely criticised, both by its members inside its own party, and by outsiders, for its delay in dealing with the increasing uuemployed difficulty.

The now reduced basic wage adds to the complications. If the new Government gazettes the reduced wage, it will mean that the salaries of the public servants will he reduced by 7m weekly. The opponents of the Government particularly the Labourites, are utilising these factors to support their contention that the Government’s policy aims at a general reduction of wages, and a lengthening of the hours of labour. Tliis allegation is strenuously denied by the members of the Cabinet, who point out that the Government has nothing whatever to do with the reduction of wages, which, they say, is the function of the courts. N.S.W. POLITICS. : (Received this day at 11.30 a.m.) i SYDNEY, May Hi. | Replying to criticism of the Government over the industrial position Sir 0 Fuller explained that Government had been in office only a month and were unable to relieve unemployment l»v simply issuing a minute on the pro- ! Idem. Ho was communicating with ! Broken Hill Proprictrv with the object | of the steelworkers resuming at New- j castle. Other relief works were under i consideration. A Cabinet meeting to- ' day will discuss Mr Cock’s minute urg- 1 ing an objection to the new basic wage.

A CONTROVERSY. SYDNEY, May l(i Mr Garden replying to Mr Dev, eovers much of the previous reply and adds that Ley has shifted ground, being tillable to prove the charges against tlie Communist schools, and directs charges against union leaders, whom he accuses of inciting a strike. Mr Ley retaliates and finally quoted the utterances of several leading Unionists wherein direct action was suggested. if arbitration decisions were unsatisfactory.

THE 44 HOUR WEEK. SYDNEY, May 16. It is anticipated that one of toe first measures to l»o eousiderod at next session of the Assembly will he the abolition of the II hour week. Mr Henley returning from a visit to t.lm

State metal quarries said Saturday had been converted into a day of idleness or much worse. Nobody asked for it and nobody benefited by it, the result being idle machinery, reduced output, dearer metal, and had roads.

A SHARK STORY. SYDNEY, May 16.

While two fishermen were taking a launch to the fishing grounds off Eden, a shark pursuing the fish raised itself sufficiently from the water to topple into the boat. The monster measured twelve feet in length and five feet in girth. It was killed with the greatest difficulty. The winch gear was requisitioned to remove the carcase.

IN MANDATED TERRITORY. MELBOURNE, May 16

Ordinances have been approved which empowered the Governor-General ti> sell land in fee simple in the mandated territoiies, previously obtainable only on lease.

Provision is also made for the rights to search for gold, silver and other minerals, but not shale, petroleum or mineral oils which are exclusively reserve*! for Government.

A timber ordinance provides for the | issuing of licenses lor areas of five . thousand acres for fifteenvears, to revert to the Crown absolutely, and right to acquire interests ‘on lands owned by natives. j THE BUTTER MARKET. SYDNEY, May 16. I Butter has increased a further nine . shillings per hundredweight, eqtiiva- ] lent to a penny per pound wholesale. ! The price now ranges from 190 s to 190 s. j The retailers committee are recoin- J mending the trade to increase the price ( to 2s Id and 2s 2d. • j THE WOOL MARKET. | SYDNEY, May lfi. j The wool sales attracted strong gen- | eral competition, merinos being dis- J linctlv dearer than last week.

ROWING. ADELAIDE, May 16.

The nucleus of a committee to send I the Murray bridge rowing crew to England to compete at Henley, on the j Thames, have first decided to talkie to j ti e English Association inquiring if it j was a fact that the crew being artisans, would disqualify them in accordance with the rules of English rowing. MOTOR BUS SERVICE WANTED, j I ADELAIDE, May 1(5. j The Newcastle Council is considering | the advisability of establishing a muni- j cipal motor bus service in lieu of the * proposed electric tramway which is es- ■ timated to cost over a million. The ; bus service will cost a quarter of a million. ■

A RECOMMENDATION

ADELAIDE, May 16.

The New South Wales Cricket Association lias adopted the recommendation that a match with Maclareii’s team he accepted on the previously decided terms, namely twenty-five per cent to the Association,. and seventy-five pet cent to the New Zealand Council. Smith explained that the match would take place in February or March.