AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 8 April 1931, Page 6

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

NEW STATE AGITATION. “NEW ENGLAND” CONVENTION. (Australian Press Association.) SYDNEY, April 7. One hundred and fifty delegates from the northern portion of New South Wales, who assembled at the Maitland Town Hull, adopted a draft constitution for a new Federal Unit, to be called “New England.” The speeches emphasised that the movement wa.s due to niisgoveninicnt and chiefly to New South Wales's repudiation of national obligations. Doctor Earl Pago, Federal ALP., of flip Country Party, who is the outstanding figure of the “New State” movement, declared: “\Yc have to find a better way of governing ourselves because the existing way has brought shame and dishonesty.”

CUSTOMS RETURNS. SYDNEY, April 7. The Customs revenue for nine months ol the financial voar ended March 31st, was €7,711,526 less than the Treasurer’s estimate of £29,775,000. Pile Postal revenue for the same period was £1,1.32, 314 less than the estimated revenue of £11.289.522. Customs revenue was more than 612.000.000 below the total for the corresponding period of last year, while the postal revenue i s £267,966, loss than for a similar period last year. MELBOURNE 8111 POWXLRS. ENGAGE YOIIWTEKR LABOUR. MELBOURNE, April 8. Shipowners of Melbourne, acting upon legal opinion, are- re-engaging volunteer labour Ironi the permanent and casual Wharf Labourers, Union, despite fhe (foveriimvnt\s regulation of enforcing prolorcnoe to members of the Waterside Workers Federation. Mr Brennan, Federal Attorney General, warned shipowners flint the Government’s regulation is still valid notwithstanding the Senate’s rejection. Shipowners, however, have been advised differently and decided to put tile regulation to the test. Litigation is likely.