AUSTRALIA’S TROUBLES

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 616, 19 March 1929, Page 9

AUSTRALIA’S TROUBLES

COAL POSITION SERIOUS SHIPPING TRADE HIT Reed. 10 a.m. NEWCASTLE, To-day. The coal stoppage is about to deal a further blow to the inter-State shipping trade. There are already a number of colliers laid up, and three more steamers which are engaged in carrying miscellaneous products to Newcastle and coal back to inter-State ports are expected to be placed out of commission. Idleness on the waterfront has resulted in no work for 400 railway employees. The position is growing worse.

CHILD ENDOWMENT FUND EXHAUSTED IN N.S.W. Reed. 10 a.m. SYDNEY, To-day. Unemployment, strikes and the conditions in the coal industry are having such a serious effect upon the Child Endowment Fund that the State Cabinet is perturbed at the position created. The fund from which endowment claims are made has become exhausted, and it is possible that the Government may reimpose a tax on the wages sheets until another scheme is devised to provide payments for endowments.

LABOUR PROCESSION STRIKERS BEAR BANNERS MELBOURNE, Monday. The annual Eight Hours Day procession was held in Melbourne to-day in drizzling rain. The most noteworthy feature was the presence of striking timber-work-ers, whose banners laid stress on their desire for a 44-hours week. Public enthusiasm, however, was luke-

FIGHT AT BRISBANE Reed. 10 a.m. BRISBANE, To-day. Several unprovoked attacks on volunteer wharf labourers aboard a steamer were made by the firemen on another vessel. About a dozen policemen were rushed to the scene, and their presence prevented an ugly situation from developing. The police remained on duty until the ship cast off.