AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 November 1927, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.) FILM COMMISSION. SYDNEY, Nov. 28. Before the Films Commissioner, George Black, a Legislative Councillor, and former Film Censor, took strong exception to the statement made by Professor Wallace, that the palms of censors had been greased. He characterised the statement as a vile insinuation such as would lie expected from vulgar gossip, hanging over a backyard fence. The statement had reflected seriously on the characters of two honest, upright men, and coming from a University Professor, it' was surprising. Mr Black said he could declare positively that not only were censors not bribed, but they had never been approached. U X DEB TAKER S ’ AWA RD. SYDNEY. Nov. 29. Under the preference clauses of the Undertakers’ Union new court award, a friend or relatives of deceased persons will not lie permitted to handle coffins at funerals, nor will drivers of hired vehicles be permitted to perform such duties. All work must he carried out by members of the Undertakers’ Assistants’ Union. HEAVY RAIN. (Received this day at 12.25 p.m.l SYDNEY, Nov. 29. There is further heavy rain central and north coastal areas. Hunter river already has exceeded the flood level and other northern rivers are rising rapidly. Flood warnings have been issued. CIT INESE STOW AW AYS. SYDNEY, Nov. 29. The fifty Chinese stowaways who were discovered in the steamer Almkerk at Frcemantle have arrived in Sydney as passengers, the Chinese Consul-General having entered into a bond fbr £lft,(Klo that they will leave the country within a month.

MB MUTCH AND SOVIET. SYDNEY, Nov. 29.

Speaking at a luncheon in his honour by the Constitutional Club, Mr Mutch said the Labour movement in New South Wales was no longer the movement to which lie ad given a quarter of a century of work and service. It is now based on the Russian model, without any question of doubt. Not only is its general scheme, but also its methods are those adopted by the Soviet. Russia lias directed its representatives in New South Wales and they are doing the work for which they are paid. It is not necessary to-day to be a member of the Labour Party to control the Labour movement. It is found to be sometimes better not to be a member of a firm, when more business can be done by not being a member. He then outlined the methods adopted by the executive of the Australian Labour Party, and said they had been done in accordance with instructions issued by the Third International. The Labour movement today in New South Wales is controlled bv a modified form of the Soviet system. He concluded by stating that he could say definitely that the evidence indicated an attempt had successfully been made to capture the Australian Labour Party Executive in this State and turn it into a miniature Soviet to be extended to every State in the Commonwealth. COMMONWEALTH SHIPS. CANBERRA, Nov. 29.

In the House of Representatives in reply to a question, Mr Bruce stated that a cable message had been received from Lord Tneheape stating that the latter would be prepared to dispose of the Commonwealth line of steamers for the Government if they desired. Lord Klysant had also inquired whether in the event of an offer being made for the line, would the Commonwealth be prepared to indemnify the purchaser against industrial trouble in Australia. The reply in each case was that the line was to be offered by public tender, and that the Government could not consider any other offer. BTG FIRM CLOSING DOWN. SYDNEY, Nov. 29. As a result of the slackness of trade, financial stringency and cheap entry of foreign goods, another large Sydney firm, George A. Bonn and Coy., Ltd., hosiery and linderware manufacturers, propose voluntary liquidation. The Company’s assets total £1,522,408 sterling, and it employs twelve hundred women and eight hundred men. WAGES LOG. SYDNEY, Nov. 29.

The Industrial Union of Australiaat Broken Hill has proposed a new log to be served on the mining companies, in which they claim a thirty hours week for underground and thirty-five hours for surface men, on the basis of a five days week, with a minimum wage of £7 weekly. AV.ATERSIDERS ATTITUDE. MELBOURNE, Nov. 29.

At a meeting of the wntersiders management committee fears were expressed that if shipowners carried out their threat to tie up ships in the event of their demands being disregarded by the wntersiders, despite the committbcr’s resoLitcon rejecting the terms proposed, the dispute "omd reach a stage which was not contemplated by the union when the original overtime strike was given effect to. Later, the Committee announced that although no reply had yet been received from the shipowners. the Union was still prepared to negotiate with the object of endeavouring to arrive at. a settlement in order to obviate the taking of the drastic measures contemplated bv the shipowners. Port Phillip stevedores, who handle nil overseas cargo in Port Melbourne, have decided to support the watersulers strike. , . A representative of the shipowners stated they will refuse to confer with the delegates of the watersiders. 1 the men decide to return on normal conditions on Wednesday the owners will hold to the letter of their ultimation. If the men decide to resume on Wednesday, the owners will not open anv negotiations until the matter comes before the Arbitration Court. The terms of the awards and agicements will have to he honoured until the matter is before the Court.