AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 January 1926, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[Australia it N.Z. Cable Asiociation.]

TROUBLE OYKIi 44-HOUR AVEEK SYDNEY. Jan. 8.

As tbe result of tbe forty-four hours week the hotel keepers decided to increase the general tariff charges ten per cent. The price of liquor is not affected.

The Arbitration Court decided that the workers in the metal trades industry who are governed by the Federal Award are shut opt from the lienefits of the Forty-Four Hours Week Act. The judge added that the question whether the. State legislation should override the Federal awards would have to he faced and it was open to the employees to test what rights they might have under the Forty-Four Hours Act. Trouble lias occurred at Metiers stove works where the members of the Amalgamated Engineers Union, who work under the Federal award, are claiming overtime for work done in excess of forty-four hours. The management refused and a complete stoppage of the works is likely. The men are making similar demands on other firms.

All employers whose men are working under Federal Awards intend to test the constitutionality of the FortyFour Hours Week Act, stating the men must he governed l;v the Federal Awards which provide for a fortyeight hours week. A mass meeting of delegates from .a large number of unions working under Federal Awards decided to ask Mr Lang to prosecute all employers who decline to grant the forty-four hours week and its benefits. Failing action being taken by the Government it was agreed that a test case should lie taken to the com fc and that all unions should contribute towards, the legal costs.

In the event of the unions succeeding in securing forty-four hours week, it was decided the Stale Government, should then he asked to refund all the expenses incurred in taking the matter to Ike court.

A NEW BTSHOP. SYDNEY, Jan. 8. The Reverend D. C. Halse. formerly head of tbe Queensland Bush Brotherhood. har( been enthroned Bishop of Riverina. NEW STATE ENTERPRISE.

SYDNEY, Jan. 8. Cabinet lias decided to take over all motor buses in County Cumberland and make a protected State undertaking of them, run by the Railway Commissioners. It is estimated the compensation to owners will amount to three millions sterling AUSTRALIAN TE\M SELECTION. SYDNEY, Jan. 8. A voluminous press correspondence is waging round the selection of the Australian eleven. The most fruitful subject of contention is the non-in-clusion of Kellewny and many reasons are advanced by tbe writers for the selectors’ action. Ihe majority of opinion seems to he that the scioctois made a mistake in omitting him.