AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 July 1927, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.) A EIRE. SYDNEY. July Li. A fire at AYcewa destroyed a bakery, a picture show, and two shops. Nothing was saved from the buildings. . The damage is estimated at £IO,OOO. STRIKERS ATTACK WORKERSBRISBANE, July Li. Two parties of Alaltese who are believed to have been recruited for work at South Johnston? sugar mills were severely manhandled by forty pickets, when a train on which they travelled stopped at C'urrajah. One poi'iceman present was powerless. The Maltese were badly battered and had to receive medical attention. Otherwise tiie situation is quiet and the mill continues to crush.

RURAL BASIC WAGE. SYDNEY. July 14. The Industrial Commission has commenced an inquiry regarding the fixing of the rural basic wage. The main cision to he reached is whether one rural basic wage or a series of wages should he declared. Tt is anticipated the inquiry will last a considerable time.

ENGINEERS’ DECISION. (Received this day at 9.30 a.m.) SYDNEY. July 15, A mass meeting of Amalgamated Enginers endorsed by an overwhelming majority, the decision of the WRtrict Committee that strikes arising out of the refusal of the men to agree to piecework should he made in groups of engineering shops to he chosen by the committee. The decision wil not operate until endorsed by the Federal Council of the Union. Meantime the men are calling a slopwork meeting immediately to decide whether independent action will he taken.