AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3612, 27 October 1920, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

A TREMENDOUS CYCLONE, BRISBANE, Oct. 25. A cj r clonic storm caused considerable damage in the city and suburbs on Sunday afternoon. Norman Jacques-, a well-known cricketer and footballer, was killed by lightning. Houses and factories were wrecked. WORLD'S PRESS CONGRESS/ SYDNEY, Oct. 25. It is understood that owing to reports as to the position of affairs in Europe and elsewhere, the proposed world's press congress will not be held in Sydney next March. WATERFRONT LABOUR. SUGGESTION OF TROUBLE. SYDNEY, Oct. 25. The conference between the waterside workers and the overseas shipping companie-s arraifged, as the result of Mr Hughes's intervention, to discuss the proposal for the abolition of the bureau established as the . result of the 1917 strike proved abortive. Sir Owen Cox, acting as spokesman for the shipowner 1 ;, appealed for collaboration instead o*' antagonism Mr Morris, secretary of the Waterside Workers' Union, welcomed tfie appeal for amicable negotiations. He set out the men's objections to the bureau system, and submitted a scheme for a standing joint committee of management, representing sides, to control waterfront labour. He also suggested the establishment of a fund subscribed equally by masters and men, fro mwhich the living wage could be made up to those whose earnings fell below that point. Mr Morris declared that the 'Scheme was not possible so long as the employers upheld the bureau. Sir Owen Cox thereupon declared: If your last word is that we must abolish the bureau and throw the loyalists to the wolves, then our answer plainly and firmly is "No. T If it has got to be a fight, then let us stand up and make it a clean fight. Mr Morris said: If it has got to,be a fight to the end I hope, when all is over, we will, like boxers, shake hands. The conference then* ended. Developments as the result of the failure of td-day's waterside conference are anxiously awaited. The executive of the Transport, Workers' Federation has called a special meeting to discuss the shipowners' ultimatum. : ■ . It is feared that if action is taken the whole waterside and affiliated unions will be involved. The. coal-miners also sympathise with the federation's attitude. ' 1 N.S : .W. FINANCE. .': Received 1.11 a.m. • SYDNEY, This day. Mr Storey will visit London in February to deal with financial matters. '" INCREASED SALARIES. ;: ... SYDNEY, This day. Mr Justice Edmunds has accepted a commission to inquire into the question of increasing the salaries of members of Parliament. THE WOOL TRADE. ADELAIDE, This day. Mr McGregor, a woollen manufaicturer, who has returned from a trip to the Old World, says the wool position in England is- entirely artificial, and wool values will probably drop within twelve months to the pre-war basis. Instead of the eighty millions expected by the CommonAvealth for the 1920-21 clip, it will be lucky if it gets twenty-five millions. Mr McGregor anticipates keen competition, profit cutting, and cheaper clothing. VICTORIAN- LICENSING POLL. MELBOURNE, This day. The liquor poll shows that 144 districts favour continuance, sixty-eight reduction, and two no-Hcense. AUSTRALIAN MEAT. BRISBANE, This day. Mr Theodore states that Australain meat is marketed in inferior condition ,at Smithfield. whilst South American is shown in splendid condition. The latter is sold on arrival, but Australian is left lying in open trucks for sixty hours and is sometimes stored for a period of three years.