AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 July 1927, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.)

M ETAL TR ADE DISPUTE. SYDNEY. July 11

l-’ollowing the deei.sitia of I lie Engineering Trades Unions lo defy the award of Judge Bccby. including a piecework clause, a grave position Jins arisen in. the metal trades. The employees have decided to submit a new log to the employers-, claiming higher rates of pay and hotter conditions than those already granted. The employers, on the other hand, announce their intention < I standing by tile letter to the old award.

A EIRE. SYDNEY. July 12. A lire in the premises of Mollatt, Virtue and Company. Rainier Street. VVouloomooloo, mused damage amounting lo many thousinds sterling to valuable machinery. M CR DEI! CHARGE. SYDNEY, July 12. Cyril .Matthew Thump-on. was committed tor trial on a charge of murder, ill connection with Ihe death of Thorley {cabled on 20th June) PLAGUE FEAR. BRISBANE. July 12. Sickness which resulted in the death of several eats in the business portion ol 'I ownsvilie has been diagnosed as plague. No human beings have-so far been affected. Further tests arc being made to confirm the diagnose. OBITUARY. PERTH, July 12. Obituary.— 1. (i. Quinlan, a lonner Speaker ol the Legislative Assemble, aged 0(1 METAL TRADES. SI DNEY. July 12. 'l4ie Council of the Metal Trades Employers Association decided to recommend to members the adoption of the daily hiring system, with payment of existing rates for overtime. The secretary of the Association points out under 'this system, tradesmen would receive £3 19s 0d for forty-four hours a week against £3 3s at present, in the meantime the engineering union is endeavouring to obtain the support ol allied unions in the coming fight against piece work.

AUSTRALIA’S POPULATION. SYDNEY. Julv 12

The estimated population of Australia at the end of March lasi, was 0,130,882 of whom 3.138,008 are males and 3.1)01.214 females. The increase for the year was 122.3911, ol which the excess ol births over deaths accounted for 74.830 and nett immigration 47,737. New South Wales leads the Stales population with 2.300,009.

LICENSES REDUCTION. SYDNEY. July 12

The I.lenses Reduction Board announces sixteen hotels on the northern tableland will he deprived ol licenses, 'the Board's principal work is now finished To the end of last year £330.013 sterling was paid in compensation to owners and licensees of deliccnsed holds, and £33.009 to wine bar license holders. Hotel lii elites were reduced from 2339 to 2111 and wine liars from 111 to 372.

FEDERAL FINANCE. SYDNEY. July II

The Commonwealth Treasurer ~a-iinunees iinunees an actumulaled -lupins of £2.900,000 for the past financial year. Of this one million is required for expenditure on naval construction. The revenue for the year was £03.373.00'! and expenditure £30.732.090. Customs revenue anieunted to C 13.332.003 an increase of over lour millions compared with the previous year. In(nine lax brought in eleven millions.

RUSSIAN ALTER WOOL. SYDNEY. Jit 1 v I i

Jules (Irat igar.-ki. vice-president ol the Textile Import Coy., of Russia, has arrived in Sydney, lit' declines to state his mission, hut it is understood it is to buy Australian wool far direct shipment to Russia. Since the recent raid on Arvos Agency in Louden there has been a decided disinclination on the part ol Russian buyers to purchase Australian wool in Loudon, and it was stated Russia would probably purchase direct !rom Australia in the lutiire. I lit l federal Government has no official knowledge of any intention to send a special representative to Australia to purchase wool. The .Minister of Markets declares he sees no reason why Australia should no! sell wool to Russia on the same terms as to the people ol any other country in the world.

PRICE OF COAL. SYDNEY. July 12. Northern Colliery Proprietors have decided on an all round increase of fid per ton in the price of coal from Monday next, when the selling price at Newcastle dyke will ho for large 2 is fid. unscreened 21s, small 20s. NO RUGBY LEAGUE YiSIT. SYDNEY. July 12. Rugby League has decided not to sent a representative team to tour New Zealand this season. It was considered the season is too far advanced to make adequate preparations lor a tour.