BRITISH AFFAIRS

Southland Times, Issue 18842, 7 June 1920, Page 5

BRITISH AFFAIRS

THE RAILWAYMEN. AWARD GRANTS INCREASES. ißy Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association). LONDON, June 4. (Received June 6, 5.5 p.m.) The railwayman's award grants increases ranging from 2s to 8s 6d weekly. The Board recognises that much of the work requires high efficiency, but the advance of 20a weekly demanded, it declares, would involve an increase in railway charges of 110 per cent, above pre-war rates. (Reuter’s Telegrams.) LONDON, June 5. (Received June 7, 12.30 a,m.) The report of the National Wages Board on the claims submitted by the railwaymen for an increase of 20s weekly grants advance? varying from 4s to 8s Gd per week for different grades in suburban districts and from 2s to 3s 6d in rural districts. The increases are in addition to the extra 2s under the sliding scale arrangements. The men’s claims in respect of overtime, Sunday and night duty are rejected. The sliding scale gives an automatic increase of Is weekly for every five points that the cost of living advances according to the Board of Trade’s periodical returns.

LEVY ON WAR WEALTH. ABANDONMENT OF PROJECT. ANTICIPATED. LONDON, June 5. (Received June 6, 11.55 p.m.) It is understood that the Government has definitely decided to abandon the idea of a levy on war wealth. It is expected that Mr Chamberlain will announce the decision on Monday. INTER-EMPIRE SHIPPING. COMMITTEE OF ADVICE APPOINTED. (The Times.) LONDON, June 5. (Received June 6, 5.5 p.m.) The Government, in pursuance of Imperial Conference recommendations is appointing an Imperial Shipping Committee to survey the whole question and deal with complaints and suggestions and to devise a scheme for the future direction of efficient communications. The committee includes representatives from the dominions and trade and shipping interests, with a neutral chairman. Sir Robin Goodfellow. THE HOUSING PROBLEM.

INTER-ALLIED CONGRESS. LONDON, June 4. The inter-Allied Housing and Town Planning Congress, at which twenty countries are represented, met at the Central Hall under the presidney of Dr Addison. The object of the Congress is to discuss the postwar housing and town-planning policies of various Governments and the adoption of housing programmes with a view to establishing comprehensive and adequate housing provision within the next twenty years. MINIMUM STANDARD OF COMFORT. LONDON, June 4. (Received June 6, 11.55 p.m.) The Congress adopted a resolution demanding a minimum standard of comfort in the home. With reference to town plans a resolution was adopted advocating a definite limitation to the number of dwellings per acre, not exceeding ten and the decentralisation of industries. OVERSEAS SETTLEMENT. FARMS FOR DISCHARGED OFFICERS. LONDON, June 3. Lord Haig's Officers Association has agreed to take 12,500 shares as a start in Australian farms. It is also convening a meeting of business interests of the city with u view to securing further financial supr>ort. Sir Arthur Stanley, Sir Christopher Turner, and other influential men have joined the London Board. Financial circles in London consider that if Australians are more generous in their support this would ensure further British capital. The Overseas Settlement Committee suggest that the scheme should be extended to ail the Australian States.