AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 May 1926, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.] STRIKE OUTLOOK. (Received this day at 9.30 a.m.) SYDNEY, May 3. Tile outlook in connection with the threatened mines’ strike is regarded as more hopeful, us the outcome of negotiations between Mr Urine and the Federated Engine-drivers’ Association. It is understood the association offered to submit the dispute to arbitration, and withdraw the notices to cease work next Friday, provided the chairman of such tribunal is independent of officials collected with the present coal control tribunal. It is further understood that Mr Bruce promised favourable consideration to the proposal, but a definite confirmation is unobtainable. As regards the forty-four hours trouble, a big industrial upheaval appears certain the men in the affected unions having yesterday thrown down the gauntlet by failing to present themselves for work, despite the employers decision to dismiss them if they failed to work on Saturday will have to face the consequences. The employers decline to discuss their plans beyond slating they are fully determined to put their decision into operation, when the men in accordance with instructions from the Union Secretaries report for work on Monday morning. A number of other unions under the Federal awards are not so far allecied, hut are likely to become involved and directly and indirectly the outlook is very serious. Meetings of a number of unions yesterday and to-day endorsed the action of the men. To-morrow morning officials of all the Federally registered unions meet to consider the position as ii then stands, and important developments are likely to result from i lie gathering.

FEDERAL PROPOSAL. MELBOURNE. May 2. Mr Bruce, referring to the industrial trouble, announced the early coming of a Federal session when legislation would he introduced to reconstitute the Federal Arbitration Court, giving it, full judicial power. Provision would he made to enable the question ol a uniform working week to he dealt with, lie added that the Court should he ready to start ail inquiry as soon as the parties were ready and trusted no harnuful action would he taken meantime. FATAL CAPSIZE. BRISBANE, May 2. Three men were killed and sixteen injured through the capsize of a motor truck at Redcliffe. ROWING. SYDNEY, May 3. Roth Saul and Goodsell are in spletidi form for the afternoon contest for tho world’s sculling title, over the full course of 3 miles and 330 yards, on the Pararmattla river. Sporting circles are of opinion that Saul will fully extend the champion and has it good eliancc of winning. Goodsell is also confident of success. MOTOR. TRUCK FATALITY. BRISBANE. May 3. When a motor truck capsized at Redclilfe. killing three persons, five were seriously injured and eleven otheis suffered minor injuries. A party weie proceeding from Ipswich to Redelifle for a picnic and were some three miles from their destination when the stub axle of the front wheel broke. All occupants of the truck were thrown into the roadway, two being killed outright. Tho dead are Airs Rebecca Martin. Henry Otto Holdsworth and his sou (A ril. The injured are siilloring mostly from head, hack and internal troubles. One little girl had her leg severed.

DROUGHT DISASTERS. BRISBANE, >ay 3. Owing to a drought in the Winton district ewes just off the shearers ham s were sold us low as Is Od each while a selector at l.ongreacli gave away rigid hundred unshorn weaners. which weu too weak to travel, and for which transportation cost a shilling per head.