AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 February 1918, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

REFUNDS TO RAILWAY STRIKERS. Australian-N.Z. Cable Association. Received Feb. 26, 10.20 p.m. Sydney, Feb. 28. The Assistant Treasurer states that the Government hones to provide £43,000 in order to pay the railwaymen dismissed as the result of the late strike'their refunds of superannuation payments. INQUIRY INTO CARD SYSTEM. Received Feb. 20, 10.20 p.m. Sydney, Feb. 20. Judge Curlew is has opened a Royal commission of inquiry into the card system introduced by the railway commission, which was the ostensible cause of the big strike. The solicitor for the Railways gave evidence that though in operation only a few months, the system had resulted in a large saving of the working expenses. He denied that there was any intention that the system should penalise workmen. The chief commissioner gave evidence that between 5000 and 0000 had gone to the war. Many had not been replaced, yet the same amount, of work, was being done by the more efficient methods. If the men came back they would replace casual labor. Asked: "if there hud been no war, what would you have done with your surplus labor?" lie replied that the non-filling of vacancies caused by resignations and dismissals would have given the same result. , MYSTERIOUS FATAL DISEASE. Received Feb. 2ti, 11.20 p.m. Sydney, Fub. 20. There have been a number of deaths during the past few weeks in the Broken Hill district from a mysterious disease resembling infantile paralysis, and known X. Doctors are puzzled. The disease is becoming more virulent, and is spreading to other districts. DA VIES IN FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES. Received Feb. 26,10.20 p.m. Melbourne, Feb. 26. A statement has been made that Davies was short in his account*-, as secretary to the Iron Moulders' Union, to the extent of £1736. Officials of the union declare that Dayies threatened to do away with himself, his wife and family, if prosecuted. EASTERN CABLE MESSAGES. Received Feb. 27, 1.5 a.m. Sydney, Feb. 26. The Eastern Extension Cable Company lias resumed handling London press message...