AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 November 1927, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.)

NEW ZEALAND SWIMMER. (Received this day at 11.0 a.rn.) SYDNEY, Nov. 30.

L. Kronfeld, a New Zealand swimmer. is a passenger on the Maunganui. He will settle in Sydney where he intends to resume swimming.

RILL PASSED. SYDNEY, Nov. 30. The Assembly passed the Family Endowment Amendment Bill. FLOOD DAMAGE. SYDNEY, Nov. 30. Further torrential rain falling on the north coast is greatly increasing too Hood danger. OUTLAWS CAPTURED. SYDNEY, Nov. 30. Wireless advices from Tulagai state nine more outlaws have been captured, otherwise the situation is unchanged. SHIPPING POSITION. SYDNEY, Nov. 30. Although the inter-State shipping is greatly delayed, it is not anticipated that this will affect the departure of the .Maungamii, Mamma and Maknra. It is stated if the shipping at Newcastle is at a standstill for more than a few days, the majority of northern coal mines will lie compelled to close, idling more than twelve thousand miners. FEDERAL ATTITUDE. CANBERRA, Nov. 30. Replying to a request from a deputation of Tasmanian members of the Senate and representatives, that action lie taken immediately to relieve the position in Tasmania caused by the overtime strike, Mr Bruce said the ministry was closely watching Hie dispute. It was hoped that within a few days it would he possible to decide what action the Commonwealth could usefully take to end the dispute.

QUEENS LA N D POT, IT I C'S. BRISBANE. Nov. 30. In the Assembly, the Premier obtained leave to introduce a hill to extend the operation of the super tax and the land tax. PROHIBITING BETTING. MELBOURNE, Nov. 30. The Assembly passed the first rending of tlie hill to prohibit betting at mechanical hare coursing meetings, STRIKE REPORTED POSTPONED. MELBOURNE, Nov. 30. It is unofficially stated that the management committee of the Watersiders’ Federation have decided that tlie strike he postponed until after Christmas. SHIPOWNERS’ STATEMENT. SYDNEY, Nov. 30. A statement issued by the Shipowners’ Association says at eight o’clock to-day employment will ho offered the watersiders in terms of the engagement, those defined by Arbitration Court award and agreements previously accepted by the union. The acceptance of the provisions of the award will not impose any hardship on any worker and will not reduce the high rate of wages paid under the award. Moreover, shipowners will not cancel or withdraw the concessions and agreements mutually made, although these are additional to and not recognised by the award. The only change will he the elimination of arbitrary illegal rules and restrictions, which the Court refused to grant or which were enforced without reference to the Court. MELBOURNE, Nov. 30.

There is every possibility of the overtime strike developing into a serious deadlock and in the event of the absence of outside intervention, an emergency committee /has been appointed by tlie Australian Council of Trades Unions, and has been advised to watch events, hut further intervention by that body is unlikely, although should ships he tied up as threatened by the shipowners, widespread unemployment would result among members ol many other unions, which are linked with the Council. It will then he essential for outside organisations to step in despite assurances given by the Watersiders’ Federation that it is capable of conducting its own disputes without outside interference.

A BOMBSHELL. MELBOURNE, Nov. 30.

Officials of the Comonwealth Line steamers announced that an agreement lias been reached with the A\ atersiders Federation h.v which employment will lie offered to men under the conditions which obtained immediately prior to the overtime strike. The Federation will provide labour for Commonwealth liners and, if necessary, will permit overtime to he worked . The announcement came as a bombshell to the owners, particularly as the Commonwealth Line, being a member of the Oversea. Shipping Representatives’ Association, was a party to the ultimatum served by the owners on the watersiders. The present agreement amounts to a repudiation and that the ultimatum negotiations, were kept a close secret until the agreement was reached.