AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 October 1927, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association

CHILDREN BURNED TO DEATH. HOBART. Oct. 20. Fire destroyed a flat building in the city early in the morning. Two children, Harry Linden, aged two. and Athol ft in. aged four, were asleep, and were trapped in a bedroom. They could not the rescued and were burned to death. CONTROL OF SYDNEY. SYDNEY, Oct. 20. The N.S.W. Cabinet at a meeting to-day decided that Parliament should meet on the second and third of November for a short session to enable the passage of a supply bill and also of a measure to transfer Sydney’s civic government to a commission. The latter proposal will moan that the forthcoming civic elections will not be held. HURUNUT’S HOLD UP. SYDNEY. Oct. 20. A new erow was taken from, Sydney to Newcasile for the Hurunui. They refused, however, to man the vessel until the original crew have been released from gaol, so they will be brought back to Sydney. Meanwhile the Hurunui is still held up. METEORIC DISPLAY. BRISBANE. Oct. 21. A remarkable meteoric display was sedn at Rockhampton on Tuesday night, three falling within a few hours. Two burst in mid-air brilliantly lighting up the whole countryside. EMPLOYMENT OF ALIENS. (Received this day at 10.15 a.m.) SYDNEY, Oct. 21.

As a result of the recent controversy regarding employment of aliens on public works while Australians and Britishers were out of work, the .Metropolitan Water Sewerage Board approved ol a clause being inserted in all future contracts for water sewerage construction works, that not more than five per cent of aliens be employed. Sir Thomas Henley, in moving the motion, quoted a number of works where aliens equalled or outnumbered British and Australian workers. He said lie was assured by contractors that they employed ftalians because they were more effective workers. One contractor told him be could get as much work out of six Italians as out of ten Australians. Italians on-these con-

tracts were paid the standard wage and earned as much as 95 10s weekly* for fort.v-four hours. As the standard of living of these aliens was lower than that of Australians, they were able to save money and soon left off pick and shovel work, and engaged in business competition with British anti Australians. Heiil.v said lie did not blame contractors for employing the most efficient labour, but a serious position had to be faced when there wore thousands of Australians and Britishers seeking employment in Sydney, and work was being given the Italians, by means of local organisations for placing aliens throughout Australia. Contractors complained they could not get Australian and British to apply for work on sewerage contracts. Many men sent along by the Labour Bureau either are incompetent or would not do that class of work. DANGER OE PICTURES. SYDNEY, Oct. 21. Before the Films Commission, J. Beckett, former Chief Inspector of Aborigines, pointed out the danger of allowing Australian aboriginals and natives in mandated territories to attend picture shows, where no discrimination was shown in the choice of programmes. They saw the white man and woman sobbing, murdering, warring. lying, getting drunk, and cornting every sin and crime, possibly without being punished. The films rarely showed punishment, though they inferred it and the aborigines wondered why they should not be allowed to do the same as the white man. Ho bad closely studied the natives mind and bad come to the conclusion that films were detrimental to them. Pictures could be made a power for the uplift of the primitive mind. It was not untrained, for it bad been directed by tribal teaching and discipline to observe the operations of nature in various phases. They were usually imitative and their memories were retentive. He bad known many instances where they bad committed offences that bad boon suggested by pictures. They should not be allowed to see any pictures except those selected for them and these should be comics or informative films, without any sox appeal. SMUCGONG CHEN USE. MANY DEAD IN STEAMER.

(Received this dav at 11.0 a.m.l FREMANTLE. Oct. 21

Following the. discovery of Chinese landed from the steamer Arendskerk at Sydney, the Customs officers closely searched her sister ship. Almkerk, on her arrival from Holland. Deep down in the bowels of the ship cooped in a. small ballast tank, wore found fifty-four Chinese nil unconscious. The lid of the tank had been closed on the arrival of the vessel in the port and cargo stacked over it. Customs officers are reticent but one account says that the Chinese had boon in the tank throe days without food or light. Eight arc either dead or in a deathlike coma. Gas masks have been worn by the searchers removing the Chinese. On the bottom of the tank was a foot of water. It was stated that it was the captain's intention to flood the tank for ballast when the cargo was removed from tho hold. ATRFLY PROPOSALS. SYDNEY. Oct, 21. For some time past agitation has been afoot, to prevent Kingston! Smith and his companions attempting a. Pacific flight. At the first meeting Premier Bavin’s request for further financial assistance was declined in view of the risk attending the flight. Mr Bavin said on reports made him regarding this matter he was satisfied the flight, on present lines, could not he proceeded with.

WHEAT POOL. SYDNEY. Oct. 21. ’fhe New South Wales voluntary wheat ]>ool made its third payment of foul-pence per bushel on the 1926-27 crop, making total payments to date Is 10d per bushel less freight. LABOUR TROUBLE. ADELAIDE, Oct. 21.

Trouble between the Railway Department and its employees at Islington extended when the moulders employed by Mason and Cox at Southwalk ceased work. It is stated they were instructed to do so by the Trades Hall Disputes Committee which determined to stop a supply of eastings reaching the Department.

The chief railway commissioner said the trouble arose over the fact that of one or two moulders, the dismissal of whom precipitated the crisis, one insisted that a fellow workman should accompany him to tho office of the. head of the Depnrtmnet when he was summoned before that official in regard to his output of work. It. was a matter to be settled by the man concerned and the head of the Department and was no concern of a third party.