MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 September 1922, Page 2

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. VOLSTEAD ACT. LONDON, September 27. Captain George Joyce, commander of the British schooner Gamma, has ! be*;i freed from a charge of violating the Volstead Prohibition Act, a Federal Jury refusing to indict him, holding that tlie Gamma, was outside the threemile limit when seized. This is the first Court action favouring a defendant, and it follows closely on a, decision of Cabinet not to permit the seizure of ships outside the three-mile limit. It is believed that the Gamma with a cargo of two hundred thousand dollars worth of whisky, is likely V be returned to her owners.

AUSTRIAN. FINANCE. (Received this dav at B.l*o a.rn.) VIENNA, Sept 28. The next few days will solve the uestioqn of whether wages and salaries will he increased according to index figures or the practice will be abandoned. Waiters in cafes struck because employers refused to pay tho index increase of ninety-one per cent, offering only fifty per cent. Metal workers made a similar demand and also were met by an off .'ll - of fifty per cent. Metal workers broke off n< gotiations, but refrained f' - om proclaiming a strike, in order io albw an attempt by the Executive of the Trade Union movement to effect a peaceful solution. The Executive is also ne- % gotiating off behalf of textile chemical workers and bank employees. Should the efforts fail, several hundred thoi!sand workers are likely to st"ike.