AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 June 1926, Page 1

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.J

labour affairs,

SYDNEY, June 5

It was announced at a meeting of the Australian Labour Party Executive that the requisite number of Unions Had demanded that a special conference of tlio party should be hold to deal with the agenda paper of the conference which was hold at Easter. iA motion that the conference be held was rejected by fiflceir votes to four. Leaders of the striking oni gine drivers and firemen rejected the proposal of the miners for a compulsory conference. The strike lias now been in progress for a month and the position of the miners is becoming more acute. While they are depending upon Government assistance, the strikers are securing most of (heir financial support from fellow members of their organisations who are now employed in coal mines and who levied from 10s to 35s weekly. The number <>F strikers is about a thousand, but their are twelve thousand engine drivers engaged in other pursuits than mines. The Trade and Labour Council appointed a deputation to wait on Mr Lang when he returns from his holiday and to ask him to intervene in an endeavour to effect la settlement.

N.S.W. MINERALS. SYDNEY, June 5. The annual report of the Depnrtfent of Mines for 1925 shows the output for the year was valued at £10,109,-000 sterling, constituting a record, being £-180,000 in excess of 1921, silver mines contributing chiefly to this result. Their yearly output amounted to £0.312,000, in increase of £030,000 over the previous year. Coal

won amounted to £11,396,000 tons valued at £9,302,000, representing 223,000 tons and £287,000 in value less than 1924. FEDERAL FINANCE. MELBOURNE, June 5. In tlio House of Representatives, speaking on a bill to amend the Surplus Level me Act, Mr Rage said the total taxi.ilion to be surrendered under

the new proposals was £787,320 sterling. Per capita, payments to the States which were also to bo abolished amounted to £7,087,500. The Commonwealth will make adjusting grants

to four States, namely, Queensland £289,000, South Australia £23.000, West Australia. £152,000, Tasmania £136,000. In addition .West Australia is to ho granted special assistance during tlio next five years amounting to £450,000 per annum. Tasmania is to receive assistance of £378,000 per annum for two years. Mr Pago said

there would be a. gain to the taxpayers of the States of £1,527,852. Any sirplus revenue in the hands of the

treasurer at the close of the firm uncial yea will bo paid to the States in the proportion to population. The com-

monwealth can advance moneys free of interest to the States in anticipation of revenue to bo received but must he jj.iid hack before the end of the financial year in which it is made.

THE niBBLE AAYAft IF SYDNEY. June 7

The Federal Executive of the Engim Drivers’ and Firemen’s Association decided to have nothing more to do with The coal tribunal and stated it will shortly take proceedings in the High Court to test the validity of Justice Kibble’s award.