AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 December 1927, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.) (Received this day at 11.0 a.m.) SYDNEY, Dec. 1. In the Assembly the Government introduced the Industrial Amendment Bill which provides for the appointment of three commissioners, instead of only one as at present, and questions at the sitting are to he decided by a majority vote. Members of the commission are to have the same status as Supreme Court judges. The powers of the commission in relation to the granting of preference are to be restricted. The commission will not he allowed to go beyond the declaration that in giving employment, preference shall he given to unionists, other things being equal. It will not he possible to direct an employee to join a union in order to obtain employment or to lay down that the engagement of labour shall only be made at a union office. Provisions in current awards over-riding these provisions are nullified.

A FORD CABLE. MELBOURNE, Doc. 1. The Melbourne Argus asks that the Ford cable from Detroit, dropped to-day, ho deleted.

FLOODS INCREASING. SYDNEY, Dec. 1

Torrential rain continues on tiie north coast and many residents of low lying district, were compelled to abandon their homes. The floods are daily lie coming more acute.

PRICE 01’ BUTTER. SYDNEY, Doc. 1

The wholesale price of butter is reduced by half a penny per pound to 182 s per cwt.

FLOUR. REDUCED. SYDNEY. Dec. 1

The Flour Mill Owners Association reduced the prices of flour, bran, pollard by 10s a ton.

N.S.AV. POLITICS. SYDNEY, Dec. 1

In the Assembly speaking on the Industrial Arbitration Amendment Bill. Mr Bavin said at the end ol Mr Piddington’s present contract, he will he put on the same footing 'as other members. Tho Commission Bill simply meant transferring from the shoulders of a single individual, the power with which no single individual should Ikj burdened.

The Legislative Council passed a. Bill providing for tho removal of Kay from tho Meat Board.

AN ARREST. SYDNEY, Dec. 1

Detectives a'rrested a man whom they charged with obtaining £2105 sterling by false pretences from Albert Pearson, of Auckland.

FEDERAL ACTION UNLIKELY

CANBERRA, Dec. 1. Intervention by the Federal Ministry is unlikely, Ministers taking the view that the Arbitration Court has power to compel he parties to a dispute to appear before it, and that generally tho authority of the Court is sufficient to enable it to deal with the matter.

COST OF COMMISSIONS. CANBERRA, Dec. I

In the House of Representatives, Mr Bruce in reply to a question stated that during the [last financial year. Boards and Commissions appointed by the Federal Gobernment for various purposes cost nearly half a million sterling.