AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 June 1928, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Australian Press Assn.—United Service

COOKS’ DISPUTE. SYDNEY, May 31. The meeting of Marine Cook's Union has been considering the dispute and Mr Tudehope’s report of the Melbourne negotiations. So far no finality lias boon reached, hut it is understood that the prospects of a settlement were never brighter.

The shipping representatives have refused to comment on the position, beyond stating that the next move must be made by the men.

COOKS DEJECT OWNERS’ TERMS, SYDNEY, June 1.

The cooks’ meeting rejected the shipowners’ terms, and agreed to carry on the strike. Air Tudcliope issued a statement to this effect after the meeting, at the : same time reviewing the negotiations and denying the report that he had spurned the Waterside AVorkers’ Union’s assistance towards a settlement. Mr Tudehope declared it unanimously was agreed that.the shipowners’ terms, particularly in regard to the right of free selection of labour and the abolition of the roster amounted to nothing short of nil abject surrender, which the cooks would not tolerate.

The Labour Council adopted a resolution recommending the, Cooks’ Union to call a mass meeting to be addressed by representatives of all maritime unions and Trades Union Council “in order to settle the strike on a basis satisfactory to members of the Cooks’ Union.”

“My union is convinced the shipowners arc not sincere. Ihe roster system has been in operation for a number of years. AVe were most conciliatory in our offer to them regarding ..io right of selection of their own labour, but my union absolutely refuses to be stampeded by tlie owners, who now insist upon, following tlie condition, that the Union must give an undertaking that all companies will ho allowed free selection of labour for galley, and he able to choose whom they like. Further, the owners’ representatives must he free to engage men either through the Union at call hours, or outside those hours at shipping offices, ships sides or elsewhere.”

FLYING BOATS. SYDNEY, June 1. Four Royal Air Force supermarine flying boats from Southampton, which arc making a world cruise, are due to leave Koepang at 5.45 a.m. and arrive at Broome, AYest Australia, about noon to-day. COTTON FARMS. CANBERRA, June 1. The Federal Ministry has approved of the expenditure of £3,500,000 on an irregular sub-division into 7,000 farms at Dawson Valley, Queensland, where cotton succeeds. The Queensland Government, which planned the scheme, announces each farm will bo capable of supporting five people.

SHIPPING AIOVJC. MELBOURNE, June 1. The Huddnrt Parker’s line completed arrangements for the chartering of the steamers Lady Isobel and AVilliam McArthur for cargo unrrying between .Melbourne and Sydney.

STRIKE DANGER. SA'DNF.A', .Tune T. In view of the cooks breaking off negotiations, it is now belio'-ed in shipping circles that a crisis in tlie industry is looming, and that tlie other maritime unions, although they at first condemned the cooks, will stand by them in their fight to secure the. terms of the cooks’ demands.

T ASM ANT AN ELECTIONS. HOBART, June 1. The latest election returns indicate that the final result will be: — Nationalists, fifteen. Labour, fifteen. There is some probability of tlie Nationalists securing a majority ot two scats. EMPIRE HXIUBITION.

(Received this day at 9.30 a.m.) CANBERRA, June 2. Strong opposition was evidenced by members in the House of Representatives to the Bill authorising the Commonwealth to appropriate half a million .sterling, as its share of the expenditure towards the Australian British Empire Exhibition in 1930. Federal and State members alike were not enthusiastic for fear of a huge loss. It declared there were far better ways of advertising Australia.

The Prime Minister indicated it would be highly likely that the hill would Iso dropped and the exhibition abandoned.

Federal Treasurer Page estimates the Commonwealth’s revenue for the year will show a serious diminution, and will cause a deficit at least of two and a-lialf millions.