AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 May 1926, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.] SHIPS IDLED AT MELBOURNE . SYDNEY. May 24. It is unofficially stated nl the Trades Hall that the Government has decided to intervene in the coal strike, and will endeavour to arrange n settlement:. MELBOURNE, May 24. As the result of the coal strike, fifteen inter-State colliers and eargi ships, and one passenger steamer, are tied nl). idling 640 seamen. AUSTRALTAN CONFERENCE. MELBOURNE,- May 24. The financial conference between the States and t'.te Commonwealth Las commenced. , Mr S. Bruce, in opening the conference urged his proposals and offered a. satisfactory basis lor a definite and filial determination of the present unsound system of capitation payments, with its accompanying duplication of income taxes. He claimed that under his .scheme, the States would lio freed from reliance on the Commonwealth in finance, thus strengthening the Federal principles. He then outlined lus proposals. Relerring to tho abolition of the Federal Income Tax, he said, that, if its income be--01 me, sufficiently buoyant, it might lie possible for the Federal authorities to drop direct taxation altogether. 44-HOUR WEEK. SYDNEY, May 24. . The forty-four hours’ conference was adjourned to enable the employees to consider proposals Irani the masters that the men should work forty-four hours the next week, and these periods to he worked alternately, payment to lie on tho basis of the time worked. The conference will re-as-semble when the Unions have their replies to the proposals ready. The management of the Broken Hill Proprietary Steelworks and Rylands Wireworks notified the employees that from to-night they would he required to work only forty-four hours weekly, and if they refuse further action will lx* taken. After a conference between the Coal Miners and Striking Engine Drivers’ and Firemen, the Miners’ Union announced that the miners would not work with volunteers carrying out the strikers’ duties.