AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 August 1927, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.) DISPUTE SETTLED. (Received this day at 8 a.in.) SYDNEY. Aug. 26. The dispute’in the City Railway was settled at a Conference of tbe Industrial Commissioner and parties to Iho dispute. Tbe men resume work tomorrow. TIMBER INDUSTRY. SYDNEY. Aug. 26. At a meeting of the North Coast Federated Chambers of Commerce it was stated that tbe timber industry on tbe North Coast was in a parlous pi’igbt. Several hardwood mills wore closed because they could not find a market for tbe timber and soft timbers were rotting in the yards tor similar reasons. It was decided to ask tbe .Minister of Customs for an increased tariff and to suggest that not more than three hundred million feet of hardwood be allowed to be imported yearly. HITCH OCCURS. SYDNEY. Aug. 26. A bitch lias occurred in tbe settlement of tbe harbour bridge dispute, tbe men rejecting the lorins and tbe strike continues. Tbe crane drivers at the Moriiva quarries have effected a settlement of their dispute and will resume work on Mniulav.

Tbe terms of settlement of tbe dispute of tbe city railway have to be ratified by tbe men, who this morning mot for tbe purpose. Tbe terms include that tbe man resume work to-day with no discrimination in the re-engagement of men to be employed on his former iohs. The Industrial Commissioner' held that the men, by absenting them-* selves, legally put themselves out of employment. The stumbling block to a settlement may be the question of payment for the days lost. WHEAT SOWINGS. MELBOURNE. Aug. 26. The Government Statistician says the returns show a small increase in the area sown in wheat this season. The total area sown is estimated at 3.182.000 acres, of which 250,000 will he out for hay,