AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 March 1925, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

SOBTEALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION VARIATION OF AWARD, ißeceived this day at 8 a.m.) MELBOURNE, March 11. During the hearing of claims in llie Arbitration Court for the variation of the Seamen’s Union Award the manager of the North Coast Steamship Coy., Sydney complained that members of the union were still exercising job control in connection with the steamer Ytilgilbnr which lias been idle since 22ml February. Mr .'Justice Powers said the company could make application to him in this connection when lie is in Sydney. The hearing of the applications for variation was adjourned till the following day.

FARMERS’ UNION CONFER EX' I MELBOURNE. March 11.

The Yi-torian Farmers Unions’ Conference has opened. The President stated that one thing which the union had set out as an organisation to do was to exploit the long accepted idea that the fanning community existed chic-fly to enable other industries to expand and flourish regardless of national welfare. The intention of previous Governments in endeavouring to establish seiondary industries was highly creditable, but they could not evade i lie fact that the result was a pauperised peasantry. The conference is debating a motion that the Farmers’ Union absolutely opposes any pact being 'made in any -hape with any political party. Tho Federal Ministers are concerned at the outcome as tho fate ol the federal Government depends on the acceptance or rejection of the pact and they are seeking io delay the decision until more delegate? arrive from tho country WOOL SALES. SYDNEY, .March 11. At the wool sales the market was unchanged and competition was fairly general. Greasy merino sold to 3(itd. A STEAMER “BLACK.” (Rec-ived this day at 11.25 a.m.) SYDNEY. March 11. The Secretary of the branch of. the Seamen's Union says the steamer \olamina is as black now as ever site was. Neither seamen nor watersiders will work her when she arrives at Sydney.

THE BENT .MURDER. MELBOURNE. .March 11. In connection with tin- death ol M i'lium Bent, cabled on the Bth. the police are now searching for a man named Howard Vernon, from whom they require certain important formation. A statement was taken I rum \ onion on Saturday, but since Sunday evening lie disappeared. It is now found necessary that he should supplement his statement. Police investigations brought to 'iglit a pocket knife, two handkerchiefs and a firearm, believed Lo he a pea rifle, all of which belong to the man who killed Bent. The ritle was borrowed from a stock breeder who lives same distance away, hy a man who resides in i.ilvvale. It lias been established that this man is the owner of the knife and handkerchiefs. The motive for the ,■ rime is believed to he jealousy. I lie story concerns two men, one of w hom is Bent, and a girl. Both men wore on friendly terms with the girl. Ihe other man is stated t > lie her brother-in-law. It is lieli -veil on the night Bent was killed, he met. Ike girl, ami that they walked in the direction where he. was found in the morning.

MINISTER AND JUDGE. (Received tins day at 11.25 a.m.) SYDNI'Y, M:;ich 11. Justice Powers, replying to Mr Lavin’;: statment at Newcastle regarding the Commonwealth Arbitration Court, said when the Attorney-General of a State, who is accepted hy all Courts as a representative of the people, and who is the administrator of acts dealing with the Courts makes an untrue charge against a Court or Judge, it uijiv he believed by many. It. is new shown to he ill: ortv.-t, and in such a case the ('our! is justified, if not bound in the pub'i - ml ■■a silo show that the charge is n o true. Mr Bavin said that the Court had openly said it. mid been influenced by throats that if n had exercised its powers in the recent seaman’s .strike, there would have been an industrial upheaval. i his :t..tement. savs Justice Powers, is absolutely incorrect". He quoted the judgment to show what he did say was that the only reason why he did no., on the facts submitted to the Court, grant toe application to dergister the union, there was an unconditional undertaking given bv the union’s representatives to the Court, and tn obey the orders made by ibe Court, and in future to settle all disputes arising by constitutional means, not by direct action. .Justice Powers says after Mr Bavin’s remarks he submitted the question to the late President of the Arbitration touri. .Justice Higgins, and to '.he two deputy Presidents, ~'itsli - s Quick and Mc" >• and they informed him that they would not have granted the application to do-

gister the l niou in the Seamc-n s ense. Owing to the intervention ... tin('.nut, the men manned vessels, -sun within a fort nigh'. iiiler-Slnte shipping was again normal.