AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3460, 14 April 1920, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Received 11 am. _ SYDNEY, This Day.

Mr Storey’, referring to criticism of the Laliour Council and Employers’ Federation. said the new Government intended to carry out their policy irrespective of outside critics. It would not accept dictation from the Employers’ Federation nor the Labour Council. The yearling sales realised 102,059 guineas MELBOURNE, This Day. In connection with the building trade employeesg’ demand for a. 40hour week, the Master Builders have decided that unless the men agree "to Work forty-four hours, extending over six days they would not be employed. The Premier has agreed to apply the same principle to all Government W'o=l'k.

NEW CASTLE, This Day. Sailedz Kent, for New Zealand. MELBOURNE, This. Day.

The Commonwealth Bank has completed arrangements for taking over the Quensland State Savings Bank. Anaction has been cominenced in which Alfred Ozanne, formerly member for Corio, in the House of Representatives, claiming £SOOO for alleged libel from the newspaper, “Geelong Advertiser.” Plaintiff stated the action was taken as a result of three articles published in the 1917 Federal election campaign, which he considered causedhis defeat. The defence contended that when The articles were published, Mr Hughes issued a message received from General Birdwood embodying a report by General Mouash on the conductof plaintiff, who was then a sergeant of the A.1.F., which stated he was absent without leave, and was struck off the strength on the eve’ of going to France. General -Monash, in giving evidence said Ozanne spoilt the record of the Third Division, as he was the only man absent without leave out of 20.000. He recommended that Ozanne be courtmartialled, but this was not done. Mr Hughes is. calling a conference ‘of employers and enipioyees to formulate proposals for the amendment of the Arbitration Act to secure indus»trial peace and harmony. A Inter-State freight rates have inIcreased 25 per cent.