AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 28 February 1929, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

44-HOUR EIGHT,

(Australian Press Association)

SYDNEY, Feb. 26,

The Timber Merchants’ Association is standing firm against the strikers and declares that whatever happens the award must be observed. Even if the employees’ secret ballot approves a continuance of the strike the employers cannot allow the strike ballot decision to over-rule the award. MELBOURNE, Fob. 26.

A mass meeting of carpenters today demanded that Judge Lukin should be taken before the bar of the Federal House to explain his attitude in depriving the workers of the forty-four hours working week. They also threaten to withdraw all carpenters from existing public works.

MURDER. SUSPECT NOT GUILTY LAUNCESTON, Feb. 28.

William Clear charged with attempt, ing to murder Major Evans, Secretary of the Northern Trotting Association, was found not guilty and discharged Clear, who alleged fired the shot at Evans after being disqualified, declared in evidence that the steward who moved for his disqualification offerod him £4O for his horse Cardinal, although the horse was worth £2OO. The same steward had hacked his horse and became annoyed when it lost.

RADIO FROM ARAFURA

SYDNEY, February 28

The agents have received a radio from the Arafura ' that progress has been retarded by south-easterly gales and high seas. The .vessel is in tow of the tug Coriugn and is expected to arrive at Brisbane on Friday.

ELECTRICAL WORKERS STRIKE

(Received this day at 11.25. a.m.)

BROKEN HILL, Fob. 28.

.-\s the result of a strike among members of the Municipal Employees’ Union. electricity works and sanitary services are at a standstill. The strike is a protest against a man' being employed who is not a unionist. Within a few days fresh supplies of meat will not he available.

The general hospital and other buildings were plunged in darkness when the electrioty supply was cut off.

SAVED FROM SUICIDE,

SYDNEY, Feb. 28

Within fifteen minutes last night a fire station officer named Menzies, assisted by a policeman and the South

Head signalman prevented two men from throwing themselves over the gap at Watsons Bay. One man, maddened by drink, was within a few yards of the cliff when Menzies grabbed and managed to hoUMiim till a policeman arrived. The other man told the story of an unhappy life.

TIMBER WORKERS WIVES

TO ENGAGE ON PICKET DUTY

SYDNEY, Feb. 28

The timber workers’ wives have decided to engage in picket duty on the day the secret ballot is being held. The wives’ meeting also decided in favour of a mass demonstration against the Lukin Award next Wednesday. The meeting passed a resolution of sympathy with two Melbourne women, who were fined for assaulting a constable and condemned,. “The injustice they received at the hands of the ibosses of the Courts.”

FLOODS IN QUEENSLAND. BRISBANE, Feb. 28

The Railway Commissioner has been advised that the Herbert bridge is twelve feet under water. The bridge over the Seymour river is submerged to a depth of two feet. On the Bellenden Plains the water is three to four feet over the rails for several miles and telephonic communications are interrupted. It is impossible to run trains from Cairns to Townsville for several days.

DE RIVERA’S ACTION. MADRID Feb. 27

“I am very fond of him hut his. vicious persistence in circulating political ideas tending to demoralise public opinion has compelled me to act,’ announced General Do Rivera, in fining his own nephew £1650.

COMMUNIST CONFERENCE RESOLUTION. MOSCOW, Feb. 27

Admitting that for the moment well-to-do peasants and other non-socialists bold an advantage in the anti-Soviet campaign, the Communist Conference adopted a resolution to crush the Trotsky element. It lias declared war on the Rightists and demanded unconditional adherence to Stalin s policy with the object of intensifying war against capitalism.