AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 May 1928, Page 1

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(Australian Press Association.) LIBEL ACTION. SYDNEY, Aiay 9. Mr Ahihonev, the former member of tha Federal House of Representatives, has issued a writ claiming Ul '.ri.lo damages for alleged libel against Smith’s Newspapers Ltd. The alleged libel appeared in the “Daily Guardian” newspaper, in an article concerning the West Sydney seat in the Federal House of Representatives.

IX MOSCOW’S GRIP. SYDNEY, Aiay 10

An official statement by the executive of the Australian Workers’ Union, declares unreservedly that the Australian trade union movement is in the grip of AJ-oscow. The statement recitea the events, political and industrial, for the past nine years supporting this contention.

the COOKS’ DISPUTE. .MELBOURNE, Afay 10.

At a meeting to-day, the .members of lac Commonwealth Steamship- Owners’ Association completed their plans for dealing with, the cooks’ dispute, but the closest secrecy is being observed and no statement has been issued. It is generally believed that the prospects" of a settlement of the dispute are remote, and that an extension of the trouble is inevitable. Tlio Secretary of the Emergency Executive of the Australasian Trades Unions Council stated that it has been decided to summon an inter-Statc conference for Monday next of all the unions that are likely to be directly involved in the dispute. THE SCAB UNION PROJECT. SYDNEY, Afay 10. Following upon the decision of the shipowners to give the cooks till Alonday to man the idle Huddart Parker Coy’s ships, or otherwise they would discontinue employing any members of the Cooks’ Union, and would insist on the right of free selection of any man with good discharges, it is stated that a new Union is .to be forxn-

ed, embracing those. members of the Cooks’ Union and of the Seamen’s Union who are dissatisfied with the present conduct of affairs by militant officials.

MUNICIPAL iRREG U L;\E I TIES. SYDNEY, Aiay 10.

The Royal Commission winch is investigating Sydney civic affairs and the conduct of the officials and aldermen of the late City Council, have decided to lay a charge against Air s. Y. Alaling, .Deputy Oeneral Manager of the City Kleeyrienl Depaitmeut in connection with a payment of £10,600 n to the trust account of j. Buckle, who is a friend of Alalings.

OWNERS NOTIFICATION TO COOKS. MELBOURNE, Afay -11

It is officially announced that, shipowners. decided yesterday that cooks, •inkers and butchers be given till Alonday to engage on terms of the recent award, hut if the- idle ships are not manned, the owners will discontinue employing members of the Union on. the terms and conditions of the suspended award. The owners, in any case, insist upon free selection and a total abandonment of the roster system and upon the' right to engage men with good discharges. NEW CRUISERS. CANBERRA. Afay 11. ATr Bruce announces that Australia’s new cruisers, Australia and Can-berra.-are to have long test voyages, and will be throughly tried out. The itinerary will include New Zealand. It is proposed that the Australia should leave Portsmouth at the end of July, and the Canberra to leave at tlio beginning of December.