AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 September 1927, Page 1

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association. BLACK OUTLOOK. BRISBANE, Sept. 5. The Arbitration Court failed to effect a settlement of the South Johnstone dispute and the outlook in Brisbane is gloomier than ever. Both sides of the railway dispute tiro now settling down to a prolonged struggle. The Australian Railway Union are making arrangements for picketing all lailway property and the combined union committee have declared alt railways “black.” ft is stated, however, that at Rockhampton over a

thousand men have decided to resume and at Toowoomba, meeting it was also decided to recommence work under the commissioners terms. Be •tricted services are still being ran but the real struggle will comment.-.! on Monday when it will be seen whether the men really will resume. The .service so far, on the whole, has been surprisingly good, but many people were compelled to use motor omnibuses instead of the usual trains, and others walked. The Premier lias arranged in the event of an extension of the dispute, for the traffic: office to record parti cubit's of owners of alt motor vehicles willing to undertake transport service. and the names of persons competent to drive. In a statement the Premier said the Government were willing to reinstate all employees who would sign tho Government declaration but in the event of unions accepting battle, the Governent would take up the challenge as in honour they could not recede from the stand it had "taken and permit the 1 unctions M the Government to he usurped by the Australian Railway l nions. Q U EEN SLAND STB IKE.

BRISBANE, Sept. o. The parties to tho railway dispute met at the Arbitration Court to-day, oil the application of the Unionists. An adjournment was granted until tomorrow, on the Union promising a definite answer then regarding acceptance of the terms of settlements proposed by the Board of Trade. The outlook is very gloomy, both parties refusing to give way in the slightest, and it is stated that if a settlement is not reached to-morrow, a general transport strike is possible. There was a complete cessation today of the train service in Brisbane, all the stations, except for pickets, who took up duty at midnight, being deserted.

LOBBIES ONLY IN CAPITAL. BRISBANE, Sept. 5. All the traffic in Brisbane to-day was by means of motor omnibuses. The Government had hoped, with the number of applicants for re-employment at its disposal, to introduce a skeleton service to-morrow, but the Railway Commissioner has now announced that no trains will be run, now that the Unions have declared the railways “black.” Apparently the Commissioner is findin it. impossible to put Ins plan into operation. LABOUR SPLIT ETKELY. BRISBANE, Sept. o. Tito railway position is rapidly assuming a political aspect, and it will probably end in a struggle between the industrial and political sections of the Labour Party. While at present the Cabinet is strongly behind tho Premier, he will have to face the Labour Party Caucus before Parliament meets on Tuesday, but while it is anticipated that there will he some defections, it is believed that tho majority of the party will continue to support him. Tho Leader of the Opposition states that it is absolutely essential that the Government should sec that the laws are observed, and that Opposition will do its utmost to support tho Government so long as it maintains its present. attitude.

AN ENQUIRY. SYDNEY. Sept. 5. A Royal Commission which has been appointed by the Government io inquire into the allegations contained in the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper, regarding the Government, as cabled on 16th August, to-dav commo need its sittings-. The- Commission defined the scope of tho inquiry, deciding that its business was to inquire into the conduct of tho Industrial Commissioner only, and not say whether the Lang Government was “red ridden,”- or was “hound hand and foot by tho Trades Hall.”

DA RAVIN’ QUAKE. DARAVIN, Sop. 5. A sharp earthquake shook was exlerienced here early this morning, 'he town was shaken, hut no damage ias done.