AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 19 February 1931, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

THE .MILITANT SECTION. (Australian Press Association) (Received this day at 8 n.m.) SYDNEY, February 18. The militant section of the Australian Council of Trades Union Congress sitting at Sydney to-day submitted a recommendation for a general strike beginning on February 25, on the grounds cabled yesterday. An attempt was made to pack the meeting. Fights occurred with the doorkeeper and disorderly scenes were enacted at various stages m the proceedings, but no decision was reached. .Mr J. S. Carden was the most prominent advocate for the strike. TIMBER YARD FIRE. BRISBANE. February ID. A fire at Rosenfeld Company’s timber yard at New Farm destroyed the plant and timber valued at £25,000. CRUISER SCUTTLED. SYDNEY, February 19. What was left of the old Australian cruiser Pioneer after stripping at (harden Island was towed to sea yesterday evening and scuttled. The vessel was built 82 years ago and was one of the seven experimental type midway between 5 a torpedo bont and light cruiser, which failed to realise expectations. The Pioneer novertho-_ less did great work in war time including assistance in destruction of the German warship Konigsberg and the capture of several merchantmen. DAME MELBA’S CONDITION. SYDNEY, February 19. According to Mr John Lemimme. Dame Melba’s illness is apparently the result of a germ which the diva is believed to have caught in Cairo a year ago. The German, French and English doctors were unable to diagnose the trouble, but advised a sea trip, lienee the visit to Australia where it was desired to spend Christmas. She was unable to speak to fiiends visiting her yesterday. Her only greeting was a smile. WOOL AT CLEARING PRICES. MELBOURNE, February 19. At the wool sales there was a good clearance. Prices were firm. Japan.ese and continental buyers were active.