AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3355, 6 December 1919, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

A THREATENED STRIKE.

SYDNEY, Dec. 5

The Labour Council has decided to support the brewers' strike and also the letterpress machinists, who have given 14 days' notice of a strike unless increased wages are granted.

SEAMEN'S AFFAIRS

ADELAIDE, Dec. 5.

Robert Bell, United States' representative of the National Sailors and Firemen's Union of Britain, has arrived en route to visit his home in New Zealand. He stated that seamen's affairs in both the United States and Britain were very unsettled, but should now brighten. Extremists were trying to obtain control, but this would not be allowed. If these men were allowed to effect their desires, the name of the mercantile marine would be stained with dishonour. N.S.W. AND PROHIBITION". . FORECAST OF N,Z. POLL. SYDNEY, Dec. 5. During the discussion on the Liquor Amendment Bill. Hon. Beeby moved an amendment to settle the whole issue at the next general elctions Mr Storey supported this, considering it necessary to get an effective vote, otherwise they would probably get a 40 per cent. vote.

Mr Hall interjected: They will get 70 per cent, in New Zealand. Mr Storey replied: "New Zealand is a little island in the Pacific sibont the size of a pocket handkerchief. No one of any iinportahce'cbines from there." (Laughter.) Hon. Beeby's amendment was defeated.

Received !>.5 a.m. SYDNEY, this day. The Government's Liquor Bill satisfies neither party. Their respective supporters are giving it a stormy passago through the Committee stages of th e Assembly, so far without securing any material 'amendment either way. Cabinet, has promised consideration of a resolution of the Methodist Social Questions Committee, asking for the withdrawal of a Bill involving such important, issues for the present session, with the exception of clauses providing for the continuance 'and six o'clock closing. The Government has decided that the Board of ■ Trade award increasing th e living wage by 17/ per week shall apply to the whole State public service on salaries up to £525 per annum.

Mr Ryan's financial record in Queensland, and th 0 large and increasing number of unemployed there, resulting allegedly from legislation passed during his regime, is being held as the main weapon by the Nationalist Press, and candidates to counter his lavish promises to the electors, particularly soldiers, if Labour is returned to power. Mr Ryan's irruption into Federal politics is deeply resented by the Nationalists, who freely charge his desertion of Queensland politics to having made the Northern States too hot for himself.

Received 10.20 a.m.

SYDNEY, This Day.

The Assembly passed the Liquor Bill with a number of amendments, two of when provide for no limitation of the amount of compensation in the event of prohibition being carried, and the appointment of a Board to determine the amount of compensation to be paid. Good falls of rain have been experienced in the Par West. A meeting of women formed an organisation demanding better conditions for domsetic servants. Thoy claim a 56 hour week and a minimum wage of 20/ a week, good accommodation, and abolition of the term "'domestic servant" in favour of "household assistant.'* PERTH, This Day, The Legislative Council rejected, the Constitution Amendment Bill, which has passed the Lower House, and provided household suffrage as a franchise for the Council and the extension of the life of the. present Parliament. MELBOURNE, This Day. The Assembly carried an amendment in the Licensing Bill allowing hotelkeepers to sell tea, coffee, cocoa, and milk during prohibited hours. A new clause wa s added to the Health Bill empowering the employment of doctors as Government or municipal officers, their duties to embrace attendance on persons entitled to it under any Friendly Society which entered into an agreement with the Minister of Health or municipality. The gasworkers at Melbourne, ftallaratt, Bendigo, and Geelong, have struck, ' demanding increased wages