AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 21 May 1926, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

[Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.] FEDERAL POWERS. MELBOURNE, May 20. The first business in the coming session of the Federal Parliament will be the introduction of hills by Mr Bruce for a referendum in August on the question of giving the Government extended powers to deal with industrial matters, control over trade unions and also to deal with the essential services in cases of national emergency, such as a general strike, and additional powers to deal with trusts and combines in the restraint of trade. These proposed alterations of the constitution which the electorate will be asked to endorse are the outcome of events arising out of the late shipping strike, involving the matter of the deportation of undesirables and uniform working hours connected with the present troubles wherein there is a clause where the Commonwealth and State legislation is involved.

, FIRE ON MAKURA. ! SYDNEY, May 20. Considerable damage was caused by a fire in the Makura’s stokehold, the origin of which is unknown. 'flic smoke quickly penetrated nil the .cabins, in many of which passengers were preparing for the voyage. They quickly removed their baggage to tho wharf. When the oil caught fire, tho flames travelled with extraordinary rapidity over the whole of the tanks, .and rhe members of the crew had to rush 1:11 deck. Tho fire brigade was assisted by two firo floats, and after an hour’s light in dense smoke, which frequently drove tho fighters back, they extinguished the outbreak. The vessel is expected to sail at noon on Friday. LICENSING LAWS. SYDNEY, May 21. With tho object of testing liquor l:\vs permitting liquor to be served to a person visiting an hotel for a meal after six at night, tl-e Superintendent of the New South Wales Prohibition Alliance, laid information against the licens.se of tho City Hotel. The Magistrate dismissed the information, expressing the opinion that a person who went to an hotel for a meal after six, was ail inmate. The State Full Court has now reversed the decision stating that the .Magistrate’s decision was erroneous in taw. COAL MINERS TIRING. SYDNEY, May 21. Tho indications are that the engine drivers strike on tho coalfields will be brought to a conclusion at an early date. The officials of the .Miners’ federation realising the rank and file ol the union art* strongly opposed to continued idleness, are pressing for an early settlement. The. miners representatives and engine-drivers have given permission to tho members of the Miners’ Federation to fill slack or small coal at grass at WTiitburn Colliery in tho Maitland district, ’flic object of this move is said to he to provide ■applies for the Broken Hill steel works at Newcastle. Otherwise the works would be compelled to close down, tails rendering idle between lour and li ■ i thousand men. THE MAKURA GLAZE. SYDNEY, May 21. It. is an unhappy coincidence that the Makurn’s new master, Capt. Mawson, only assumed command yesterday, relieving Capt. Worrall, who is retiring. The ship’s firemen first noticed the fire and when the Brigade arrived a section of the stokc-hold was a raging furnace. The heat was almost unbearable and the smoke made iespi ratioli nearly impossible. The firemen worked hard and kept the flames from the fuel reservoir. Ail inspection afterwards showed liow serious the position would have been if the flames had swept this vital portion of the ship. While the fire was being extinguished another outbreak was reported front E. deck, but with powerful pumps fpouring 'in unlimited quantities of salt water the flames were soon out. A hurried survey later showed the intrinsic damage will probably not exceed a Tew hundred sterling. No structural damage was occasioned to the ship and the repair work was undertaken immediately.

AVHKAT PRICES. MELBOURNE, Alay 21. Tho wheat trade is almost at a standstill buyers not operating. Parcels are nominal, (is I id; oats (milling) buyers 3s 8d sellers higher, feed 3s 3d, English barley 4s fid. Cape 3s 9(1 to Is. Potatoes C'9 to £10; onions tl7 10s to £2O. INFLUFFZA OCTBREAK. SYDNEY, Alay 21. Influenza is at present prevalent in Sydney, and there have been many absentees from their usual employment. The Director-General of Health states that the epidemic is more general and more severe than usual, at this time of the year. MOTOR TRADES DECISION. SYDNEY, Alay 31. It is claimed, that as a result of tho Afotor Trades’ Association decision to apply for a deregistration of the Coach Makers’ Union, a large number of men have returned to work, having assured their employers that they are willing to work forty-eight hours a week. An official statement by the Association claims that by the end of next week the position will he almost normal. The Association has appointed a special committee which meets daily for the purpose of considering the latest development?. Prior to the strike coaeli-makers were receiving seven to ten shillings above the award rate of £5 13s weekly. Afanv employers state, however, that men who went on strike will he reinstated only on the award rate. Officials of the Union have made preparations for an extensive campaign during the week-end to down tools as a. protest against the operation of the forty-eight hours week. Arrangements also are made lor a.majority of strikers to picket large workshops to-morrow morning.