AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 February 1928, Page 1

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.)

.MINES BENEFIT THE MEN ONLY SYDNEY. Feb. 7.

Mr Sims, Chairman of Directors of the Stockton Bore Hole Coy., referring to the statement of Mr lion re, cabled to-day, said he was astonished beyond words, and added that his company would never countenance- such a thing, and it- had never been before the board of directors. His opinion was that there would ho no disadvantage from such a payment. The colliery "'as kept going entirely for the benefit of the men, and the shareholders had neon paid only two dividends since the inception of the Company in 1009. Mr Willis, a Legislative Councillor, who for fifteen years was associated with the coal miners' organisations, said lie had ne'er known anyone on the owners’ side In make a suggestion "hich could have been as regarded as corrupt.

BRIBERY CHARGES. SYDNEY. Feh. s.

Tim Central Council of the .MinerFederation have summoned Mr lloare to attend and give a lull explanation of bis statements that he received bribes (cabled yesterday). -Members ol the Council will insist on the matter being cleared up, and ask for proof ol the statements. It is also expected that lloare wil IHo asked for the names of other persons who are alleged to have received still larger amounts.

TURNING PROF ESSIONAL. MELBOURNE, Feb. S

Lanili. the well-known champion mini, teur cyclist, lms decided to turn professional. it is understood lie came to this decision as a result o! the \ ictorian Amateur Cyclists’ Fnion not recommending him tor selection to represent Australia at the Olympic games.

BUSES V. TRAMS. SYDNEY. Fob. 3

R tV. omiter, consulting engineer ot the London General Oninilnts Coy., who arrived from Auckland hy the Alarama, says the Imses will eventually supersede trams. All the fixed rail systems in the world are faced with ruination by Inis rompetition. and unless some form of co-operation and co-ordination is reached tramway finances will become chaotic. Mr Gunter frankly admitted the impracticability of scrapping the on. tire tramway service, hut with the inevitability of the buses’ domination of the road, something had to he done. His suggestion to the New Zealand Government, was. he thought, the only one. and that for the present the tramway system must he regarded as the backbone of the transport system, with buses operating as feeders to the general system, and the establishment ol a sinking fund so that evenutally trams could be replaced with standardised buses For this some form ot central control was essential. Dual control was fatal. Another suggestion was a penal fare, where buses were obliged to charge a minimum fare in excess ol the tram fare, a portion of which to he handed over to the trams. It was found this penal fare did not deter buses from operating.

LK VOTE REPRESENTATIVES CONKER. SYDNEY. Fell. S. I) McLean and C. Sneddon representatives of the New Zealand Rugby League conferred witli the delegates ol the Hoard of Control. 'I lie conference dealt with the progress of the game during recent seasons and its development in the Dominion. The visit of the English team this year was the subject of particular discussion.