AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 February 1927, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

i I [Australia N.Z. Cable Association.] MINERS’ TROUBLE. I (Received this day at 8 a.n;.) SYDNEY, February 17. Mr Baddelcy, Minister of .Mines, anI nounced a conference of representatives of miners and coal owners has been arranged probably for Friday, to discuss I matters in dispute. Although the Northern Executive advised the miners to return to work to-day, no work was done, as the owners state they have I not yet lieen advised of the result of | Monday’s aggregate meetings. Until so notified that cannot take any action. I MOERAIvI DELI) HP. MELBOURNE, February 17. When the steamer Moeraki was due I to sail for New Zealand this afternoon 1 she vas again held up tor over an hour I owing to tlirce firemen being missing at the time of sailing. Eventually two of these men were found and another fireman had to he picked up. WOOL SALES. MELBOURNE, February 17. At the wool sales comebacks crossbreds were firm at unchanged rates, top making sorts merinos and • lambs wool, realising hotter prices than earlier in the seasons. SERIOUS INCREASE IN CRIME. SYDNEY, February 16. According to the annual report of the Commissioner of Police tabled today in the New-South Wales Assembly, there has been a large increase in serious crime and in crime of all classes, including offences by persons under the age of 21, in New South Wales in 1026. The total increase compared with 1025 was 1-1,298 cases.

LOSS OF SUGAR. BRISBANE, February 16. The revised flood death roll places the total at thirty-six. One authority at Cairns lias estima- [ ted the loss of sugar at approximately £‘600,000. The weather is now fairly fine. All shipping on the coast has been accounted for. Mails and provisions will he conveyed to some of the inland towns by air. MOTOR TRAFFIC. SYDNEY, February 16. The police report that the motor accidents in the State of New South Wales during 192 G totalled 1,339, resulting in 258 'persons being killed, and 4,580 injured. Of these 144 deaths and 3,GGO injuries occurred in the metropolitan area. The revenue collected in the Motor Traffic Act totalled £1,120,000. compared with £806,278 for 1925. The motor traffic licenses issued numbered 458,441, an increase of 84,800. On December 31st, 156,078 motor vehicles were licensed.

WAGES- QUESTION. SYDNEY. Feb. 17. The Northern Collieries’ Association states that when it receives notification from the Miners’ Central Council, of the results of the aggregate meetings, the owners will he called together to deal with it. The employers are seriously concerned over the prospect of a large increase in the Wages Bill, when the Child Endowment Bill becomes law. It may apply to the Arbitration Court for variation of Federal Awards to reduce the wages by 15s weekly. It is held, that without some such relief, many businesses, which are Just holding their own or earning a small return on the capital invested, will he forced to close, resulting in a large in-

crease in unemployed. PROPOSED CRICKET TOUR. MELBOURNE, Feb. 17. In vn report on the English tour Sydney Smith suggests that the Board of Cricket Control should early consider the question of an Australian team touring Canada and the United States. FISHING PARTY DROWNED. BRISBANE, Feh. 17. A report from Innisfail states that a fishing party at Oyster Bay. consisting of John McDonald, Andrew McDonald. Mrs Minn and three others were caught in the recent cyclone and drowned. Reports continue to arrive of appalling destruction in the stricken areas, hut no estimate of the amount of damage is yet possible.