AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 21 August 1930, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

MR SCULLIX TAKES A HAND,

(Australian Press Association.) MELBOURNE, August 20. The Federal Prime Minister, Hon. J. M. Scullin, well wrapped up, paie, and looking ill arrived unexpectedly at the Premier’s Conference at Melbourne at 11.25 a.in. to-day. Mr Scullin was accorded a great reception. After the conference Mr Scullin returned to his home at Richmond, a suburb of Melbourne, where ;i meeting of the Federal Cabinet was held in the alter noon. It was decided that a Non-Party Committee should be formed immediately to deal with the economic position and to rehabilitate Australian credit. (The foregoing, a wireless message, was picked up at Wellington last night by Mr 1. M. Levy.)

WOORKERS COMBINE. SYDNEY, August 20. Tlie Executive of the Australian Workers’ Union and the Australian Miners’ Federation, two of the largest Unions in Australia, have agreed to amalgamate. Their combined membership will be 200,000 men. There will be local autonomy in regard to the administration of domestic affairs. The scheme awaits the ratification of the members.

PREMIERS’ CONFERENCE. (Received tV» is day at 12.25. p.m." MELBOURNE, Aug. 21. The Combined Premiers’ and Treasurers’ Conference dealing with the Australian finaneal crisis forced the Federal Ministry to convene a special Cabinet meeting which was held at the Premier’s residence at Richmond today. Mr Scullin is still very unwell, but adhered to his intention to begin his journey to Loudon to-morrow. The Premiers’ Conference is most anxious to- ascertain from him whether he will agree to a group of State Ministers handling the financial situation along non-party lines. It is understood also the labour section of the Conference is desirous that Mr E. Theodore again take up the portfolio of treasurer and acting Prime Minister, since he alone has been thoroughly conversant with the financial position. It was reported that Sir Otto Niemever intended to issue a comprehensive report on the subject af his mission. Late to-night it was announced that the Federal Cabinet agreed to summon Parliament for a special session to review the Budget and severely curtail expenditure.