AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 September 1927, Page 1

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(By Telegraph—l J er Press Association,

NO SETTLEMENT YET. BRISBANE, Sept. 6. The Arbitration Court again failed to reach finality in the strike.

The representative of the Dispute Committee informed the court that its proposals had been, telegraphed to the men themselves, who had been asked to telegraph their decisions to the court.

Therefore there was an adjournment till to-morrow.

It is not anticipated that the men will accept the terms offered by the Court.

The Combined Union Committee, recognising that a general transport strike, with the antagonism of the whole community against ft, could nave little likelihood of success, has advised all the other Unions not. to become involved in the dispute, but it realises that, if the Government attempts to run a skeleton, service, the members of the Road Transport Workers’ Union will become involved ns they will be called upon to handle “black” passengers.

PR EMI ER’S STATEMENT. BRISBANE, Sept. 6. Wlion the Queensland Parliament met to-day, the Premier, Mr McCormack, moved that the House adjourn until to-morrow. ITo said that the next move in the dispute would he made by Parliament in order to give the members an opportunity of thoroughly understanding the position. Tic

added that when the members entered the House, they took an oath to abide by constitutional government. If a member gave his allegiance to an outside body, and not to Parliament, then the only result would be a. revolu-

tion. The Premier said he was speaking on behalf of the whole Cabinet, who were prepared to stake their whole political existence on this question. The motion was supported by the Leader of the Opposition.

The House is still sitting. MELBOURNE, Sept, 6. Alt official of the Transport Union has received advice from the Queensland branch, stating that unless the Queensland dispute is settled to-day, it is proposed to declare petrol “black” thus involving all the Transport Unions, including the seamen throughout Australia.

INDUSTRIA L COMMISSION. SYDNEY, Sept. 6. At the Royal Commission, which is inquiring as to tlio conduct of tlie Industrial Commissioner (Mr Piddington Tv.C.) following allegations in the Sydney “Herald,” counsel for Mr Allen (Secretary of the Graziers’ Association) said that- his client had written an article which was sent to the press and which definitely charged that Mr Piddington’s judgments during the whole of his appointment were tainted by political bias. It assorted that his living wage declarations were unconstitutional, and slid not conform Wtth tlio provisions of tho Act, under which they were made, and that finally on the eve of election ho allowed his notions and jugdment to bo governed by political considerations and influence. Counsel added that these charges were endorsed by the Council of the Graziers Association of New South Wales.

OIL IN VICTORIA. MELBOURNE, Sept. 6. A report lias been furnished for tlie Minister of Mines hv + li<-> Chief Chemist and Assayer of the Victorian Alines Department, and for the first time the report definitely established evidence of oil discovery in Victoria'. It states that lairing has been carried onby tho Department at Lake Btinga, near the lake’s entrance, and this proves that mineral oil exists there, and that, while tTfe value of the oil is at present very small, from a commercial 'standpoint, tlie fact that it exists is of great scientific importance, and warrants further scout boring in tlie district.