AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 13 July 1929, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

COAL TROURLE CONFERENCE

(Australian P;e«s Association)

(Received this day at 8 a.m.) SYDNEY, .Aily 12. The parties to the coal dispute, in an effort lo arrive at a cam promise, before the Coal Commission proceeds further with tueir investigation, met in conference to-day for three hours’ discussion. The coal owner made it clear they were prepared to accept a shilling per tail reduction, provided the men accept a slight reduction in wages. No finality was reached and the Conference adjourned till Tliursr day. Meanwhile proposals arising out of the discussion will he submitted to the Executive’s party or organisation. STONE DUSTING DISPUTE. <Received this day at 9.25 a.m.) SYDNEY, July 13. While a peace conference is being held in Sydney for the northern mines, an independent dispute over stone-dusting threatens to throw S'outhern coalfields idle next week, the management of the mines insisting that the miners carry out stone-dusting, but the miners refuse to do it on the grounds that it is injurious to their health.

PORT OF MELBOURNE. MELBOURNE, July 12. The annual report of the Melbourne Uai';,our Trust Commissioner shows that the gross tonnage of shipping at this, port for the past year totalled .11,737,310, which is a decrease of 71-5,000 tons. The report adds that there is effective berthing of 50,453 feet, with an area of 68 acres of wharf space.

PUBLISHER’S WILL. SYDNEY, July 12. The late John Hayes, the retired publisher, who was lost overboard from the Mamma between Auckland and Sydney last March, left an estate valued at £10,056. Among the bequests under the testator’s will is one to Mrs Rogers, of Auckland. SYDNEY, July 12 • The . Commonwealth Statistician reports that the number of sheep in Australia, is one hundred and six millions, which is the highest total'since the year 1891. Of these, fifty-three millions are depasturing in New South Wales, seventeen millions in Victoria, and eighteen millions in Queensland. •