AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 March 1924, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

BV TKLKGJIAI-II I’RKSS ASSN., COPYRIGHT. FEDERAL POLITICS. (Received this dav at 12.25 p.m.) -MELBOURNE, March 20. 'At a pro-sessional meeting of the Nationalists, Mr Bruce said he was verysatisfied with the way tiie parly had worked with the Cumm y Party in the past year and he had every hope an agreement would shortly be reached between the two parties, to overcome all dilliculties before the next election. It is understood there is almost a complete agreement upon general points for a common election policy. Mr Bruce announced a Bill was being introduced alter the Easter adjournment in the House, asking authority to add two modern light cruisers to tiie Australian Navy, one of which will probably be built at Cockatoo Island.

The party passed a resolution eougititillating Mr Bruce on bis efforts at I mperrai Conference. A meeting of the Labour puny decided to cable Mr Ramsay MacDonald congratulating his Ministry on the -Singapore decision, and expressing the hope that other nations would follow the splendid lead towards disarmament given by Great Britain. A meeting of the Country Party discussed Mr Bruce’s work ai the Imperial Conference and expressed satisfaction at the magnificent wav lit- had, represented Australia. ALLEGED MURDEIL HOBART. March 26. At the inquest oil. Mrs Downs, her husband. Geo. Downs was committed for trial nil a charge of murder. TAX APPEAL UPHELD. SYDNEY. Mat- li 2d In the Court of Revision Mr \ . (-. Stead appealed against the levvi lg ■ 1 income tax upon the gross am Wit of the sales of his racing and draugnt horses in New South Wales, rlaiiiimg that only live per cent of such amount was taxable. The appeal was imiieu EMPIRE EXHIBITION CROWDS. SYDNEY, March 2d The stream of visitors to Hie I n pi-'e Exhibition is flowing strongly. Several hundred left yesterday by the Mamin from Svdney. There are heavy Lock-

ings for various steamers front o'.l.er parts. MORE IDLE MINES. SYDNEY. .March 26 Work lias been resumed at two northern mines, hut there were throe fresh disputes increasing the number of idle pits to ten. THE UNION S.S. COY’S APPEAL. SYDNEY. March ‘-5 Judgment was reserved in the Union Company's claim against the Comtu.iiwcnlth yesterday. (IYERLAPPING OF STATE AND FEDERAL LAW. SYDNEY, March 2(1 The Central Council of the Employers' Federation ol Australia, -n a lengthy Statement, emphasised the gravity of the situation created throughout Australia l,v the oveiTapping of Federal and State industrial award'. II claims that the present position is intolerable and unless speedily remedied will lead to industrial chaos.

The statement continues: The overlapping of the Federal arbitration awards and the awards of the State industrial tribunals is colossal and the confusion and complications it genet utes are limitless.

The Council suggests a solution of the problem on the linos of the limitation of the functions of the Ttederal Arbitration Court and to clearly define the industries of an inter-Stato character, such as shipping and shearing, which should be scheduled in amending the Federal legislation, it also suggests t 1,,. allocation to the States of complete jurisdiction over all industries not within the list of defined intor-State industries. The statement concludes that unless this is speedily accomplished the ability <>t Australian Industry to compete j,i (be markets of the world and to safeguard the interests of those engaged, as well as the capital invested in industrial enterprises, will be so seriously imperilled as to create a crisis of vast magnitude.

STEAMER WRECKED ON BAR

SYDNEY, Alareh 26

The steamer Renandra missed the high tide when going outwards at Aloruya, but she crossed the bar and encountered heavy breakers. She then stuck on a sandspit and tile next sea turned her broadside on and with the seas breaking over her she became a total wreck. A passenger, Tom Wal'd, who was workisg Tits way to Sydney, took refuge in the engine room, which filled with water and he was drowned. THE WORLD CRUISE. BLUEJACKETS REMAIN BEHIND. AIELBOURXE, Afarch 26 Before its departure it was found that one hundred men were missing from the squadron. Warrants have I,non issued for their arrest. \0 HOLIDAY FOR SQUADRON YTSTT. BRISBANE, Alareh 26 The Government has decided not to proclaim a special Holiday during the visit of the tleet. WESTRALIAX ELECTIONS. PERTH, March 26. Labour has won.two more .seats thus giving the party 25 out of 00. Air Mailer, Minister of Agriculture, was defeatedi