AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 May 1928, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(Australian Press Association.) suggested conference. (Received this day at 9.30 n.m). 'MELBOURNE, May 23. Tho Shipowners Association has rceeived a telegram from Mr Tuclehope, Sydney, requesting a conference to discuss a settlement and declaring the Trades Union Council has no authority to act on the cooks behalf. Tho shipowners secretary (Mr Elford) replied:—“We will meet your representatives with or without representatives of other bodies to discuss a settlement. We have already informed you on two occasions the terms on which we are ready to engage your members. These take nothing away from you to which you were previously entitled, hut after ships of all members of my organisation are fully manned, if there is any difficulty in regard to deails we are prepared to give consideiation to any suggestion you may make.” A meeting of the combined Committee of Maritime Unions and Trades Union Council passed a resolution to resist to the utmost any attempt by employers to engage 11011-Union labclur for ships; also to resist the abolition of the roster system, which for years was a condition employment as well as. clause ol the cooks unions rules, and bcfor the owners got their way in tins matter, the Arbitration Court should be consulted.

DRY LAND AGRICULTURE. (Received this day at 11.0; a.m.) FREMANTLE, May. 23. Sir E. J. Russell. Director of the renowned Southampton Experimental Station at Herefordshire, arrived by the Cathay. He said dry land agriculture was the chief concern of those engaged in research wor, which affected all parts of the Empire. Wjieat was one of the best crops for planting on dry land anywhere.

Jewish colonists in Palestine were now making steady progress by scientific methods. It was astonishing how successful they had been with the citrus fruits and bananas on dry, but irrigated land, while they were producing wheat and dairy produce on unirrigated land.

POLICE INSPECTOR. ARRESTED SYDNEY, May 23.

The Inspector of Police from Solomon Islands, on furlough, in Sydney, has been arrested by local detectives and charged with a serious offence, following statements by two youths.

STEAMER TO BE TIED UP. SYDNEY, May 23. Another inter-State passenger vessel the Dimbooln, is to be laid up by the - owners ns a result of the cooks’ strike. The crew will be given twenty-four hours notice on arrival from Mest Australia. MURDER CHARGE, BRISBANE, May 23. The police at Silkwood arrested a wood-cutter on a charge of the murder of a Chinese storekeeper and liis son. He stated he is a New Zealander. His name has not been disclosed.