AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 21 June 1926, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

[Australian & N.Z. Cable Association..' LABOUR ATTITUDES. SYDNEY. June 19. Although the State officials ot tin Australian Workers’ Union are unanimous in opposition to the Federal Governments referendum proposals, tin General President of the Union, Senator Barnes, has announced his inton tion of supporting the referendum on the question of regulation of industry and commerce. The Australian Labour Party has suspended the ex-President of the Party. E. C. Magrath, from the position as one of the State representatives on the Federal Executive. Tile charge against him was that he flouted the orders of the State Executive in not unconditionally opposing the referendum proposals at recent meetings of the Federal Executive.

THE FEDERAL. PENNY POSTAGE. MELBOURNE, June 19. In the House of Representatives in reply to a question whether penny postage could not In: inaugurated to coincide with the opening of Canberra the Postmaster-General (M,r Gibson') said the impracticability of this being done would be seen when he mentioned that since be came into office, the new awards bad added a million sterling to the Department’s wages bill. He said if Australia’s telephone charges were the same as made by private companies in the United States, the revenue to the Department would be three million greater than it was now.

SHEARING WAGES. PERTH. June 19. Delivering judgment in a case wherein the Australian Workers Union asked the Federal Arbitration Court to grant increased wages and improved conditions in the pastoral, industry. Justice Powers increased shearing rates from 38s to 40s per hundred, and station bands were awarded £2 14s 8d with keep and £4 2s without. MINISTER DEAD. SYDNEY, June 19. Obituary.— Rev. Harold Wlieen, a prominent Methodist, aged 58. jNCR EASED”*INSTIR ANTES. SYDNEY, June 19According to the statement issued by the Accident Underwriters Association of New South Wales, the rates for insurances under the Workers’ Compensation Act. 1926. which comes mb force on July Ist next will be at least four times greater than the old rate The President of the Chamber of Manufacturers (Mr Newlamls! refervi,„r to the new rates, saul the mcieasf ed costs must be offset by every practicable economy towards this ewL the Chamber was i,.stalling its own X-ray eSiait, massage parlours, elcctnca and hot air treatments, etc. and hope, bv this means to protect itself ti,o malingerer and give every L>nlit> ■ to the honest worker to regam normal health as soon ns possible.