AUSTRALIAN.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 June 1922, Page 4

AUSTRALIAN.

AUSTRAMAN AND N.Z. CAI)I,E ASSOCIATION. ,SHEARERS A AVAR D. SYDNEY, June 1. The Graziers' Conference decided to combat any attempt on the part of Australian Worker* Union, to create a ■stbike in the shearing industry, and appointed a (Committee to consider ways and means;" if a bold up is attempted. A denial has been given to shearers statement that some New South AN ales sheds have started under Queensland rates, which the Australian Workers Union is seeking to enforce. It is reported that shearing is in full swing in Westrnlia under the new Federal award rates.

■ SEARCH ROAT OUT. MELBOURNE, June 1. The Navy is sending the mine sweeper Geranium to search ior the Alamnewa. Her special[mission will be To search outside and reefs north of Lord Ilowe Island.

A- SAMOANS.>VIKAVS. CL' '■-Svf)NF.Y, June 1

A prominent Samoan tinder, visiting Sydney, referred to the parlous condition'of affairs in the mandated territory. Samoa’s economic condition was never so ' hSid.' principally because of plantation pests and the low prices of products. He saw little hope of improvement because the labour necessary for the plantations was too scarce and dear. The canker had such a grip on the cocoa "plants, that lie feared no cocoa, would he produced within three or four years, and half a million sunk in the industry wn s irretrievably lust. Already several thousand acres of rubber plantations "had been abandoned, because it did not pay to tap the trees. Regarding the administration, while he admitted there was a good deal of dissatisfaction. lie thought the Now nlanil Government bad done as well as ally mandatory power could have done under the circumstaiiccs. The Government bad Shown groat care in tlie. selection of tlie men sent to Samoa. He took exception to the statement., by Minister Lee, that if the Government withdrew the prohibition ordinance, dissnlisfa'-tion in Samoa would cease. Not all the while inhabitants of Samoa were anti-prohibitionist. Personally ho thought prohibition had been Very effective. especially in rescuing young half-castes from drink. The people of SanVoa resented the imputation that prohibition was the chief iiuise of their eomphiints.

uvivEP.srnr.s confer kxck. MEL ROT' It NE. June. I

The inter-St a t,i> Universities Coliforpiiee resolved in favour of a scheme for uniformity of,degrees in various States. Also to ask Cambridge to give greater recognition to Australian 'degrees, where a student was desirous to do additional work in England, and to ask London University t» recognise Australian matriculation examinations. It was agreed there should he common university examinations in all States, in order to encourage competitive games.

FUTILE COAL CONFERENCE. SYDNEY, June 1

A Conference between coal owners and miners proved abortive, the miners not agreeing to any reduction in wage:!. r £he owners will roter tl’,l' claims of the coal industry to a special tribunal, hut the miners threaten a serious industrial upheaval u t*a io\ c evs claims are granted. SCHOOL CONDEMNED. SDDYF.Y. Lin.' i

W.'iratah Council condemned Mayfield public school as unlit for human occupation and served thirty days notice on the Alinister of Education to quit.

COAL EXPORT. SYDNEY, June 1

Export (onl figures for Newcastle during May show a falling otl ot 39.! 3.) tons exported, two-thirds to other stales and New Zealand. Exports to Iniei ui countries won* approximately ten per cent, of the whole. A irloria imported 125 thousand toils. New Zealand fifty-live thousand.

AYORKRES IDLED. SYDNEY, .Tune 1

Tlie management of the Clyde Engineering wmks have decided to close the winks next week, thus rendering 100(1 employees idle. The reason given is the inability of the company to secure additional money from the New South Wales Government on their locomotive manufacturing contract, which the company will otherwise he unable to carry out.

AIANUREAYA SEARCH. SYDNEY. June 1

The Geranium sailed this- morning nn a five days’ search tor the .Manurew'tt. The cruiser Sydney is sailing for Noumea on Saturday, and is also ordered to keep sharp lookout lor the missing sailer.

AGE OF 104 YEARS. SYDNEY, .tune I

Captain John Comlriet died in Sydney hospital aged 104 years. He started his sea career as a cabin boy on Queen A'ii'tm ia’s private yacht.