AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 5 December 1930, Page 6

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

SEAMAN’S DECISION

(Australian Press Association.)

(Received this day at 8 a.m.)

SYDNEY, December 4

The teamen’s Union at Sydney passed a resolution in favour of rationing. For instance where a man had been in employment continuously on any vessel say for six months, he must stand aside for an unemployment member of the union.

A significant fact is that the meeting was attended overwhelming by idle seamen'.

Shipowners regard the resolution as a contravention of the award.

THE COUNCIL QUESTION.

SYDNEY, December 4,

The Legislative Council debate is in progress on the second reading. The Bill this time will completely abolish the Legislative Council. Older, experienced and also legal members declared that while prepared to vote for the Bill they are quite confident the Government will be unable to accomplish its desire, .until a referendum is held anu the voice of the people obtained. Sir Joseph Carruthers said he had 4io .doubt how the people would vote. Those who wish to have the Legislative Council are relying on an appeal to the Supreme Court to restrain the Government from proceeding with the measure without a referendum. .Accordingly an injunction will be shqght. , after the Referendum Repeal Bill passes the Assembly. The legal question is a most important one, which requires to be decided. It is whether a former Parliament can tie the hands of a succeeding Parliament by its act in providing that a referendum must be taken before the Council can be abolished.

Thirty thousand tons of raw Queensland sugar valued at £ISO,COD’ sterling are being slapped this month to the United Kingdom. It will require 8 vessels.

It is reported unofficially that hanking circles at the Federal Labour Caucus, succeeded m persuading the Government to agree to an inflation of the currency of twenty-four millions sterling.

T-u SYDNEY, December 4. The Legislative Council debate was adjourned till Tuesday. SYDNEY, Dec. 5.

- The second reading of the Abolition Bill was agreed to. The debate was adjourned till Tuesday. It is stated in well informed circles that the President of the Council, may eventually refuse to send the Repeal arid Aboli tion Bills.on for the Royal Assent, on’ the ground that he cannot constitutionally do this unless the, Bills are first submitted to a referendum of the people. A protracted legal fight is expected on constitutionality of the Government’s action to abolish the Upper „ House.

1 COMMONWEALTH BANK. HELP FOR WHEAT FARMERSCANBERRA, Dec. 4. , The Commonwealth Bank Board has agreed to make 2s per bushel of an advance on wheat -of’the present seawin’s crop. This is equivalent to Is (id per bushel at country sidings. HUNGER STRIKERS. SYDNEY, Dec. 5. The Communist hunger strikers ai-e now in a had way. Three are in the hospital and one man is very weak in gaol. Medical advices, however, are that forced feeding is not necessary 3'et. NEW HIGH COURT’ JUDGES. I SYDNEY, Dec. 4. ■ The question of appointing Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia owing to Sir I. Isaac’s elevation to the Governor Generalship, is likely to stand over until the return of the Prime Minister, (Mr Scullin). There are three other vacancies in the Federal High Court, also unfilled since the death of Mr Justice Higgins and Mr Justice Powers and the reti rente nt of 'Sir Adrian Knox, the former Chief' Justice.

PRIMARY PRODUCER S. (Received this dnv at 9. a.m.) SYDNEY, Dec. 5. A conference of primary, producing, hanking, mercantile and insurance interests met at Sydney and made an appeal for the man on the land. The 'Chairman (Mr James Kidd) said' cduntry people were bleeding to death. It was stated the debts of wheat farmers to business firms, storekeepers and the Rural Industries Board, amounted to ten and a half millions sterling. A large proportion of the graziers were in a similar plight. The Conference measures to reduce the costs of production and to form a State and Federal Council.