AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 March 1924, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. GRATUITY CONVERSION LOAN. fßeceived this day at 8 a.m.) MELBOURNE, March 20 Dr Earle Page states that the response to the war gratuity conversion loan has been fairly satisfactory and the date of closing is being extended but has not been fixed. AUSTRALIA’S REPLY. MEBLOURNE, March 20 Mr Bruce bas forwarded bis reply to the British Government regarding the Singapore Base. It i.s understood he expresses the opinion that the abandonment would be considered a blow to tbe prestige of tbe Empire and the Dominions would he endangered by the non-establishment of the base. Ho expresses the hope the decision may he reconsidered.

WATER SHORTAGE. (Received this day at 10.25 a.m.) SYDNEY, March 20. Owing to the shortage of the water supply, the Water Board has prohibited the use of hoses for all purposes. COAL STRIKES. SYDNEY, March 20. There are further strikes in the northern coalfield and there arc now thirteen pits idle. BANKER DEAD. PERTH, March 20 Obituary.—,l. B. Percy, formerly a well known hanker of Australia and New Zealand. OPERATIVE BAKERS’ REGISTRATION. SYDNEY, March 20. A meeting of the operative bakers appointed a committee to take steps towards the registration of the Union.

THE FORD3DALE MANNED. SYDNEY, March 20. Members of the Seamen's Union disregarded the instructions of the Union not to join the Fordsdalc. Over seventy per cent, of the crew has now been signed on and the owners state that having won tlieir point the vessel will sail in a day or two. RINDERPEST QUARANTINE REMOVED. MELBOURNE, March 20. Mr Bruce (Federal Premier) stated the Rinderpest in West Australia has lieen effectively eradicated, and all the quarantine restrictions have now been removed.

VISITING SQUADRON DAMAGE. MELBOURNE. March 20. Following on the dense crowds to the squadron much damage is reported, particularly aboard the Hood where electric cables, fittings, switches and padlocks wore deliberately hiokon. One souvenir hunter took the breech block of a 3-pounder. IMPRISONMENT FOR LIFE. BRISBANE. .March 20. Laydui’ cabled on 12th. has been sentenced to imprisonment for life with liard labour. SUNDAY TENNIS. CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION. SYDNEY. .March 20. The City Council when discussing the question of charges for Sunday tennis courts in public parks an A litermail pointed out that an old act was in existence which prevented Ha. playing of gallics in public places on a Sunday with instrument;, A play. The Lord Mayor thereupon ruled, the "oi d Sunday in the scale ol charge- for tennis playing in parks must he struck out, thus leaving the provision lor

week day play only. A Laborite Alderman protested against tennis players being barred, and foreshadowed a motion, placing other games in a similar position. AI! Al CUT OFF BY I’ROPELLOK. BRISBANE. Al arch 20. A man when approaching a stop near a landing aeroplane at Rockhampton was struck by the propeller and bad bis arm completely severed. THE WAGES OF BOYS. MELBOURNE, Alareh 20. Justice Sir John Quick, in the Arbitration Court, dealing will. boys’ wages and the insurance ol stall's’ claims, endorsed the companies argument that it was not desirable that boys’ salaries should he above Choil station in lite. and requirements. He said this tended to encourage inflated ideas of self importance and extravagance. It was better that they should wait till they were of a more mature age. He fixed the starting wage at the age of fifteen at £6O, with annual increases to £221.