AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 December 1924, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

ICBTRAMAN AND N Z. CABI.K ASSOCIATION COR HURT RRACTTCK. SYDNEY. Dee. 21. The report of the Commission enquiring into the allegation respecting the regrading of l’.ulwaria Road, cabled on Dec. 2nd., finds that Alderman Burke did make a corrupt proposal to Rnrnham, and that such a proposal was ill response to an invitation by Randiam. The term of the Commission has been extended to 1 !tb. l'eb. 1923. TIIF. SIIIRRINO TROUBLE. SYDNEY. Dec. 21. Tin’ ilcclarat inn 1 1 y the shin owners I 1 ’:'! the w bole . "I the Meets in’y’it be thrown into idleness unless the seamen complied with the awards of the Court, had no effect upon the men. It is stated 1 Cnion officials have no intention of lilting the liau on the interned ships till the overtime claim is paid unconditionally. Owing to tiie non-fulfilment of the Melbourne Agreement by the vliai't labourers. it is possible shipowners may reconsider the settlement. The opinion is expressed in union circles that the shipowners’ declaration is mere liluir. Union officials stated they are unable to sav what the next development will he. They regard the situation as one whcicot anything might (01110. • Owing to a dispute about wages, the crews of the steamers Orania and Baldinn have been paid oil' at Newcastle, and the vessels laid up. - C'OAL TRIBUNAL. SYDNEY. Dec. 21. The ‘President of the Aliuers’ Federation has been informed that the Coal Tribunal will be summoned during the second week- in January to deal with ohiims made by the Federation some months ago for a minimum weekly wage of £3 10s. and uniform seveii-linui •lav throughout the iiidustrv. _ M hen the claims were lasl before the I ribunil. Chairman Dibble said 1 he,wrnld not .•ommeine the hearing until all oßs Mien idle* had resumed, and until Ins award with relorenee to I .ithgnw' Coke Works and rutting machines at 1 •"launri'ir had been observed. Only Die first of these conditions lias been In - filled. H is exneeted the hearing will last several -weeks.

SEARCH FOR OIL. SYDNEY. Dec. 21. An expedition to explore Sepik Aidlev a mandntvcl territory in • A (ijiinea, for oil. will leave Sydney short Iv. Permission lias been gn en to search over a thousand square miles of territory'. It is cxocctcd the expeo.tion will last twelve months and "ill be in wireless communication with Svtine v all the time.

FRENCH VISITORS. SYDNEY, Dec. 13. “Education bv travel” is an ldejil that -lias been translated into reality during recent years. In the tours of the A'oting Australians and l.»> oals. UC have seen the benefit of broadened mind and widened outlook accrue to those members of the rising generation fortunate enough to participate, biiinc of their most enjoyable expenen.es iv e' ’'-line.! in France. A\ itli icii,imeal hosnitality, Sydney entertained during the week-end a small party o French students who are on a tour organised by the l.iciuc -anUme et Coloniale and the Puns newsmipei “fe Journal.” The tour was initiated bv means of travelling scholarships m order that the most brilliant students of French Universities might complete their education hv seeing other countries. Included in the party who are on route to Noumea and will return to France bv the Panama Canal. were licentiates of law. a doctor of pbdisonliv. engineers, of whom one is a wireless expert, and a student of medicine. Their brief day or so was fullv occupied in felicitous little functions, which the visitors seemed thorough ' to. eniov. Their stay was too short to permit 'of intensive study of our social or educational welfare, but it undoubtedly provided them with a vivid msioiit of Australian hospitality and friendship with France and her sons.