MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

Hokitika Guardian, 1 May 1926, Page 4

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

[Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.] TO WORK 18 HOURS. SYDNEY, May 1. Alyhill (Secretary of the .Metal trades Employers Association) lannouitcecl that lie had been oilieially informed by Pinkerton (district secretary of the Federated Engine Drivers and Firemen’s Association), that the federal executive of the Union bad decided to instruct its members tj> work fortyeight hours a week in the terms of the federal award. Atkins (State Secretary of the Association) said it should not be interred from this decision that the Association was not in sympathy with the forty-four week proposal. As a matter of fact, an application was now before the Federal Arbitration Court lor variation of the Association’s 'award to provide a fortvfour hour week. Air Carden commenting on the. refusal of Air Bruce to convene a conference to discuss the forty-four hour week, said if an upheaval occurred. Air Bruce would have to shoulder the responsibility. It could not he said he had not been given tin opportunity to aver an industrial crisis. If the employers in the metal trades carry out their threat approximately forty thousand workers will lie out in the industry. The State Government takes a serious view of the trouble in the coal fields. The .Ministers fear trouble is .threatened by the Federal Unions respecting the forty-four hour failure, may lead to grave consequences. The .Minister of Labour (Air Baddo. lev) who is in Newcastle, has been urgently summoned to return to Sydney in order to'he present il any serious development occurs. It is stated in .Ministerial circles that it is doubtful whether the Government could intervene effectively in disputes as both nro concerned with the Federal Unions. I! AIWA A' BLOCKED. CA I {TEUTON. May 1. A heavy rain storm broke over Fentherston iast night, a deluge falling, up to i) o'clock to-day the rainfall being l.:S8 inches. AVliat is described by rail"'aymeii as the most serious slip that h is ever occurred on the permanent way is reported from the .summit. An avalanche of soil, trees, rubbish and rocks came down the hill with a great rumble, and completely blocked the month of the long, tunnel, with thousands of tons. Gangs have been

put on. hut many hours of continuous labour must elapse ere a clevirance is made. Mnemvhile railway passengers are hooked in Wairarapa to Cross Creek only. No mails are running, hut endeavours are being untie for service ears to carry letter mails over the hill road, which so far is reported dear.