AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 August 1927, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(By Telegraph—Bor Press Association

AUSTRALIAN FINANCE. .MELBOURNE, Aug. 39. According to the Commonwealth statisticians figures, imports into Australia during 1929-27 were valued at £164,745.000 ami exports £143,776,000. Compared with the previous year imports increased by thirteen millions, while exports decreased by four millions. At the end of March last there wore 4,409,027 savings banks accounts with deposits amounting to £196,071,554 sterling, representing an average of £44 9s 3d per account or £3l 18s 8d per head of population.

SHIP’S HOLD-UP. SYDNEY, Aug. 29. The ALahe no stewards and cooks have been notified by New Zealand that they will not bo supported in their .strike. It is 'hoped this ,'will liavo tho effect of inducing the men to rejoin tiic ship to-day. The Union Company management remains firm in its decision not to replace the chief and second stewards to whom the men object. RAILWAY STATION BURNT. (Received this day at 10.25 a.m.) SYDNEY, Aug. 30. The railway station at Wallangarra on the Queensland border was destroyed by fire. The damage is estimated at £IB,OOO.

QUEENSLAND RAILWAY STRIKE BRISBANE, Au-. 30.

A further development occurred in tli 3 railway, trouble when the Government decided that the services of all members of the Australian Railways Union be dispensed with from noon on Saturday next. Members of other unions who defied decisions of their executives and had thrown in their lot with the Australian Railways Union will he similarly treated. The Commissioner of Railways has been instructed by the Government to take steps on the. following Monday to to engage employees who are prepared to carry out instructions. It is believed tho Government are prepared for every contingency in anticipation of a possible stoppage of tho railway services. It has completed plans ior the maintenance of the essential services, carriage of foodstuffs to towns and country centres by road, transportation of supplies of motor fuel throughout the country being also completed. Action will be taken for the protection of railway property. It is stated in' tho event of a cessation of railway traffic, that full police protection will be given members of the public taking delivery of goods consigned to them, and in storage stations. MELBOURNE, Aug. 30. Mrs Wilkinson (cabled on Thursday night) succumbed to her injuries.

POPULATION FIGURES. (Received this dav at 11.0 a.m.l SYDNEY, Aug. 30. The official population of Sydney and suburbs at tho end of last year was 1,070,510, an increase for the year cf 31.121. The population of Australia at tho end of March last was 0,139,882.

LABOR CONFERENCE. MELBOURNE, Aug. 30,

A Conference of the Executives of tho Australian Workers’ Union and Australian Railways’ Union, is discussing a scheme merging tho two Unions, whose memliership is over 200.000; also considering linking up with Australasian Council of Trade Unions.