AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 September 1928, Page 1

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Australian Proas Assn.—United Service CAPITAL AND LABOUR, RELATIONS IN UNITED STATES. SYDNEY, Aug. 28. Mr Charles Ludowici, who, was a ; membor of the Australian Industrial Mission to tho United States and Canada, speaking last evening at a meeting of the Lane Give branch of .the Nationalist, Association, snid that the “open shop” lnvd proved of immense advantage to industry in the United States. Not only did the system result in greater production, but the workers as a whole wore better off, and the relations between employers and employees were better than in Australia.

Of the 98 plants visited iby the delegation, said Mr Ludowici, 83 were open shops, six were union shops, three excluded unionists, and in six unions were recognised for some craft only. “Detroit is Detroit because of tlio open shop,” was a slogan exhibited in that city. , Mr Ludowici referred to on© city in ■ which the president of the Labour Brotherhood, said-they Found that by ■employers and employees working together and'keeping in close touch and not allowing outsiders to intrude, they ■ could l always settle their difficulties 'and better their conditions if the state of- trade warranted, any change. In -another factory, the bonus was considered preferable to piece rates, as it offered less incentive to rush and slur. Profit-sharing had also been adopted in many instances.

N.S.W. ijARLIAMJiNT. THE GOVERNOR’S SPEECH. SYDNEY, September 11. The State Parliament- was opened hy Commission, as the Governor is absent from the State., The Governor’s speech, as read, stated that as a result of beneficial rains throughout the State during the past year, the general outlook was very encouraging. During the recess,' advisors had made attempts to place the coal industry on a more satisfactory footing, and ho hoped that these efforts would result in the industry being put on a more stable basis. A Bill .for tho reform of the •Legislative Council would not bo introduced until next year, but in the meantime the Bill-would ho brought down providing that the Constitution should not he altered to permit tlio abolition of tlio Council or to make fundaments! alterations to its constitution without reference to tho people.

BYE-ELECTION. (Received this day at 10. to a.m.l SYDNEY, Sept. 12. A bye-election to fill' tho vacancy caused hy the death of Murray (Labourite) in the State Assembly resulted in a victory for J. Hi Smitli (Labourite) who defeated 'Skelton (Protes-tant-Labour candidate) by 284 votes.

NEW SOUTH WALES PROTEST. SYDNEY, September 12. In tho New South Wales-Assembly, tho attention 'pf tho Premier, Mr Bavin, was drawn to the statement ■published in a Sydney newspaper on tho 7th September, that a man was convicted in 'Wellington of an abominable offence, and they had his sentence suspended so as to allow him to go to Sydney; and also that three similar offences in England had been suspended in order that the convicted men might go to New South Wales. Mi- Bavin replied that he would have immediate inquiries made into the subject, and that he had already taken action in respect to one ease in England. He added that the House could rest assured that he would not accept the position that this State would be a dumping ground for undesirables.