AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 May 1926, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.] SAB HATH OBSERVANCE. SYDNEY, May 20. The Presbyterian Assembly lengthily discussed tho committee report on sabbath, observance. The report declared that any use of the day of rest which deprived another, or helped to deprive bim, of his rest thereon, or unfitted one for the next day’s or next week’s duties or any use of the day which land one to forget or disregard his essentially religious purpose, was wrong. Dealing with sport, tho report declared that while many see no wrong in a game of tennis, golf, football, or such like sports on the Lord’s Day, those who wish to retain the priceless privilege of a weekly rest day will do all in their power to discountenance sport mid pleasure-making thereon. Referring to Sunday pick-nicking, the report said whether or not there was any sin in pioknieking as such, tlie effect of ,taking children from Church or ■Sunday School must have an evil effect. The Continential Sunday robbed the day of its value as a dny of rest, and therefore should "he strenuously opposed. The discussion revealed a divided mind on tho subject, and the necessity of the Church was pronounced very definitely thereon. Finally, the report was referred back to the cornmitt tee for a report to the next Assembly.

COAL STOPPAGE. SYDNEY, May 19. The Disputes Committee of the Trades Hall to-day further considered the coal strike, but there is little likelihood of an early settlement*. MELBOURNE, May 19. There are over twenty-five hundred men who have been idled in the oil) as a result of the coal strike. MELBOURNE, May 19. The Federal Government announces its decision to seek further powers to deal with industrial matters. Its intention has been well-known, but its decision to seek control over essential services has surprised the Federal House. In the Federal House, Mr Bruce, Premier, gave notice of his intention to introduce to-morrow a Bill for an alteration of the Federal constitution regarding industrial legislation, and also of another Bill, to alter tho constitution regarding esesntial services. Tt is anti eipaled that it will he bitterly contested by the Opposition. 11-HOUR. FIGHT. SYDNEY, May 19. At a meeting ttie striking ironworkers’ assistants at Clyde Engineering Works decided to leave the negotiations in the hands of the Trades Hall Disputes Committee, a member. of which told the meeting that the Committee might instruct the men to return to work while the negotiations proceeded. LAST session: MELBOURNE, May 19. The last session of the House of Representatives in Melbourne before its removal to Canberra, commenced today. 41-HOUR DISPUTE. SYDNEY, May 20. fn connection with the lorty-four hours dispute, the body building section of the Motor Traders Association decided to lipplv to the Commonwealth Arbitratin Court for a deregistration of the Coacbmakers Union on the ground that members of the union were

illegally absent from work and faded to observe the award, which provides a forty-eight- hour week of five and a |<df days. If this is granted will have little effect on the New South Wales workers, who are able to apply to the Industrial Commissioner for the award arid receive the benefits of tho State’s fory-four hour legislation, but branches in other States may be seriously affected. The Motor Tmdes Association claims only six factories where the emplovees refused to abide bv the award. There are nineteen

working at full strength, twenty-two with ninety per cent of their strength and in all other cases fifty per cent of the men are at work. NORFOLK ISLAND. AfELBOURNE, Alay 20. The Administrator of Norfolk Island, Colonel E. T. Leaue. in the annual report tabled in the House 0 Representatives, expresses tlie opinion that if the property is cultivated, the Island could easily carry three times its present population. The report states that at one time during tnc convict 'days Norfolk Island maintained a population of about three thousand and in addition exported a quantity of cereals to Botany Bay. .odav its population not more than eig i hundred men, women and children, and out of 3,500 ncres only 214 acres are under cultivation for cereals and root crops. Humlrcds of acres are pi» > owned and first class agricultural land is given over to tobacco bmli guava and 'other noxious weeds. If this land were in the hands of practical men it would return 4.000 bushels of mai/.e. Colonel Leane states unless a more iequent service with New Zealand o Australia is opened up, the settler, v. 1 not be able to dispose of their suiph. products. <>M