AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 May 1926, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.] SYDNEY. May 22, Sailed at 3.-15, Mauuganui ; at 4,45, Mara ilia. The sailing of tne Makura. is further postponed until noon on Saturday. Archbishop Redwood will he a passenger. He has practically recovered, though he is not in the best of health. EPIC OF THE SEA. SYDNEY, May 21. A wireless from the s.s. Devon tells an epic story of the rescue of the s.s. Eastern .Moon in a. raging gale. The Devon first picked up a wireless message from the disabled steamer on the .seventeenth inst,, and stood by. Both steamers were pitching and rolling heavily. Later, the Eastern Moon asked to he taken in tow, as the tug had not appeared, and then a long battle Iwgau. It was only alter six attempts that a steel hawser was made fast between the two ships, and the safety of. the Histern Moon, was practically assured. The crew of the rescuing ship worked desperately in their errand of rescue. At one time the tow line snapped like a thread : but their gallant efforts were rewarded and the crippled vessel was slowly brought into tlie port of Melbourne.

MR BRUCE’S BILLS MELBOURNE. May 21. In tlie House of Representatives, the Attorney-General introduced a Bill to amend the Commonwealth Conciliation and Arbitration Act. It provides additional powers for the Arbitration Court, and also means for obtaining a general decision on matters affecting the basic wage or the standard hours of industry. The facilities, for recovering penalties inflicted by the Court are also increased under . tiie new Act.. The Attorney-General, on behalf of the Commonwealth, may intervene in any proceeding in which the standard hours or basic wage are in dispute. H-HOUR FIGHT. SYDNEY, May 21. At a mass meeting, the Australasian Engineers’ Union endorsed the policy of the Trades Hall Dispute Com wittee, and decided to stand solidly for the forty-four hours week. DOMESTIC TRAGEDY. SYDNEY, May 21. A domestic tragedy occurred at Alexandria. Mrs Margaret Wellsmorc fatally cut the throats of her two daughters, aged six and four. and then her own. -An elder daughter left the mother and children for an hour. When she returned she found the three bodies lying in the hall, with a razor alongside. Mrs Wellsmore was suffering from a nervous breakdown for some time. This morning she complained of terrible pains in the head. The deed was apparently the outcome of a sudden fit of dementia. THE STRIKE BREAKING. SYDNEY. May 22. Garden (Secretary of the Labour Council) said arrangements sre being made for resuming negotiations for a settlement. It is stated that Union officials have under consideration proposals for unconditionally declaring off the strike of engine drivers and firemen and have asked the leader of .he Federal Labour Party, Air Charlton, to meditate. This has shattered the last hope of the strikers for a compromise. Officials of the Miners’ Federation wiil meet representatives of the engine drivers* in conference to-day. It is considered certain that the miners will insist upon tlie strike being declared off immediately. TUG TURNS UP. SYDNEY, May 21. The tug Lindfield. which was despatched to rescue the Eastern Moon, has arrived at Newcastle. Her silence was due to a damaged wireless plant,