AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 February 1926, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.]

SEAMEN’S RATE. SYDNEY, February 24. The real trial of strength between the seamen and the coastal steamship owners is not expected untd the weekend. when many vessels will reach their destination, where the seamen will be compelled to discharge the cargo. Both sides are determined, and a long and hitter light is predicted. .MAIL ROBBERS IN SYDNEY. SYDNEY. Feb. 24. A gang of mail robbers are again at work. The discovery was made that seventy registered letters, containing rnoiiifv and jewellery were abstracted Irom a parcels post office in the city. The thieves forced the door while tho staff were having a meal, during the recess, in Hie earlv hours <d live morning. The value of the letters so far is unknown. .MR LANG'S DETERMINATION. SYDNEY. February 24. The Premier's next move regarding the Upper House crisis will be an appeal to the forthcoming Australian l.ahour Party (■(inference to abolish the present system of 1 lie Caucus selection of candidates for appointment to the Legislative Council, and to empower the Leader of the Labour Party to nominate the candidates on his own responsibility, subject to the Central Executive's endorsement of the candidates’ qualifications as members ol the Labour .Movement. Tito .Ministers strongly urge the adoption of this course, and they express confidence that the Caucus will not rai»e any objections. It is suggested in some quarters that if Premier Lang is to retain his present following, he will be compelled to introduce payment of Legislative Councillors. as the country members complain that the expense ul Irequent visits to Sydney is heavier than they can hear.

Tho .Minister and the Premier refuse to comment on the situation, Mr Lang stilting only that he had nothing to say, except to repeat, that the Legislative Council will cease to exist before the end of this year. .MR LANG'S LATEST. SYDNEY. February 17. .Mr Lang proposes to adjourn Parliament for a month on Friday next. This is interpreted as a strategic move on the part of the Premier to prepare for another assault on the Upper House before the long recess is readied. The auti-Aholitionists, however, are confident that if the hill is reintroduced it will he again defeated. COSTLY SHIPPING LINE. MELBOURNE. February 25. In the House of Representatives -Mr Bruce (Federal Premier) stated that 43 vessels of the Commonwealth Line had so far been disposed of. They originally cost (.'5.610.601 and the mice realised was 01.220.077.

DROUGHT BROKEN. BRISBANE. February 25. The long dry spell on the Darling Downs was broken by rain lulling heavily throughout the night. Floods are threatening.

SENATE VACANCY FILLED. ADELAIDE. February 25. Mr 4. 51. Lachlan was elected at a joint sitting of both houses to fill the Senate vacancy caused l>v the resignation of Senator Bcnnv.

AUSTRALIAN BITTER SHORTAGE. SYDNEY. Feh. 2.5. At a meeting of the Dairy Produce Control Board, reports were reed of the decreased produ. tinn of butter and cheese in all Stales. There i.s still, however, an exportable surplus in Queensland and New South Wales, hut if the adverse weather continued for many weeks all the production would have to lie reserved to meet home consumption. The Board decided to revoke the order previously made to with-hold 25 per cent, of butter from export to the United Kingdom.

It was further resolved to make an order for the shipment of butter to the United Kingdom spreading the despatches over a period of four weeks. All hotter with-helil in January is to l:o shipped immediately and the ha 1 a nee in three weekly instalments from the 6th. to 27th. of .March.