AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVI, Issue 10058, 28 January 1909, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[Br Klectric Telegraph.—Copyright.] (Per Press Association.) Received January 28, at 9.53 a.m. Sydney, January 28. The Labor Council has resolved on a general reduction of the hoars of labor to 44 on account- of the increase of the productivity of labor; the abolition of overtime for those who have worked eight hours a day; a six-hours day for underground workers ; a minimum living wage of not less than 8s per day ; the prohibition of employment of children under 16 in any industrial occupation; no person under 18 to work overtime. The conference instructed that communication be opened up with the leading industrial centres of Europe and America to bring about co-operative action to prevent la-bor-saving patents becoming the monopoly of capitalists. Tom Mann declined to accept bail on condition that he would not participate in the affairs of Broken Hill. Bcceived January 28. at 10.25 a.m. Sydney. January 28.

The Iverna, which was in collision with the tug Advance, has been arrested on the order of the Vioe-Admiraltv Court in connection with a claim of £II,OOO for the loss of the tug. Melbourne, January 28.

The Commonwealth Defence Department decline to recognise Simpsonhafen as any menace to the Commonwealth for at least many yeans to come. The pliice is not fortified, and does not present any facilities for fortification such as would make it effective as a naval base.

Brisbane, January 27. . The North German Lloyd's cargo steamer Tubingen is one fire in No. 1 holtf, which contains a thousand bales of wool and 100 tons of wheat. The fire is still burning, an<J there is little hope oi saving any of the contents of No. 1. hold.