AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 26 February 1930, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

THIEVES LEAGUE

MELBOURNE DISCOVERY,

(A'Utetralian Press Association) MELBOURNE,' Feb. 25. The arrest of lour men in a littl Fansdale Street house lias led to th discovery of a Thieves League whic exists in Victoria. Members of thi league are bound by an agreemen pledging them to carry out robbierie: as ordered by the organisation, and t< share tlie proceeds equally, and alsc if arrested, not disclose the names of the confederates. A copy of the document was found at the lodgings of one of those arrested, and also a quantity of stolen material.

SHIPS IN THE ISLANDS.

CAPTAINS AS STEWARDS

SYDNEY*; February 25

Seafaring in sin Australian passenger steamer trading to the Pacific Islands has been given a Gilbertian touch by the new- Federal Arbitration Award covering the stewards. This award •i Wishes the payment of'overtime at the minor way ports. Therefore the men decline to wait on the Island visitors to the ships, with the result that the skippers and their officers don the aprons and perform the stewards duties towards the guests calling from the island stations.

TALKIE PROFITS

MELBOURNE;,.. Feb. 25,

The Victorian Premier,,; Mr Hogan, hints that, an investigation) will shortly begin into the profits that are being ootained by the American Talkie Companies from their Australian screenings, and also that it is possible that an amendment will be made to the amusement tax to. give the concessions to the legitimate stage.

LABOR CONFERENCE.

(Received this day at 8 a.m.) MELBOURNE, Feb. 26,

An important Con fere rite of representatives of the Australian Council of Trades Unions has begun. Tfie chief subject discussed tvas the coal'dispute in New South Wales. A bitter statement was made by a sett'ionj'of militants. against the Federal Governments failure, to use Military fbrees against the police atßothbury. H. Gibson (General Secretary of the Mine Engine Drivers’ Assn),was of opinion that the, miners should make the best terms possible with the owmers for a resumption of work, before the miners themselves became demoralised. He .could see only one result of the;vi>j-:esent conflict. in

Davis,. a miners’ president, said a special appeal for funds made recently, resulted iii £47,000 forthcoming mostly from New Zealand and Western Australian, miners. • The cost of the dispute to date to the Miners’ Federation was over three hundred thousand sterling. ss.

NAVAL STATION TO REMAIN. • • - y y&l SYDNEY, February 25. Following on a visit paid by the Prime Minister, Mr J. H. Scullin and the Defence Minister to Jervis Bay the Federal Government is unlikely as it 1 had originally intended to close up this institution, but arrangements will he made to effect considerable economies.

FEDERAL RECALL. CANBERRA. Feb. 26

It is understood the Federal Ministrv has recalled R. A. Haynes (Australian Trade,Commissoner in Canada) who was appointed by the Brqce-Page Ministry for five years, from April last year. Haynes is now on his way hack to Australia. It is believed his successor will be the present Collector of Customs in Queensland, Mr R. B. Curd.

PETROL DUTY. SYDNEY, Februav 26

Tt is now regarded as unlikely any additional duty will be imposed onpetrol this year.

Air J. H. Scullin announced after a Cabinet meeting that no decision was reached regarding the request by the states, for an imposition of an additional duty of two pence half penny a gallon on imported petrol.