AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 December 1918, Page 7

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

AN ALLEGED STRIKE. Sydney, Dec. 21. The Government has notified the Amalgamated Engineers Society that under the new Act, the 14 days' notice of a strike given by the society is illegal, and if the threat is carried out the society will be dealt with under the penal clauses of the Act. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assoc. DEMOBILISATION PLANS. Melbourne, Dec. 21. Mr Watt has announced that Mr Pearce is going to London to take charge of demobilisation.

PARLIAMENT ADJOURNED. Melbourne, Dec. 21. The House of Representatives and the Senate have adjourned. TEE RISE IN PRICES. Melbourne, Dee. 21. The Commonwealth Statistician states that Bince the beginning of the war the price of foodstuffs has increased 32.9 per cent. BIG FIRE IN SYDNEY. Sydney, Dec. 21. A' serious fire is raging in George Stret in the heart of the shopping centre. It appears to involve the Crown Studios, Roberts' Hotel, and a portion of Farmer's Drapery Stores. The' fire gutted the Crown Studios and damaged Fanner's Drapery s Store, Roberts' Hotel and five other shops The damage is roughly estimated at £150,000. Apparently It started in the studios, and, aided by a strong wind, quickly spread At one time it looked as if the whole block would be destroyed. The cause of the outbreak is unknown.

AN AIXCKLANDER INJURED. Received Dec. 22, 5.5 pan. Sydney, Dec- 22. It transpires that Richard Carter, an Auckland engineer, who wa3 staying at Roberts' Hotel, was the first to notice the fire in the hotel, He gave the alarm, and was badly burnt about the arms while escaping. CAPTAIN STORKEY WELCOMED. Received Dec. 22, 5.5 p.m. I"'" Sydney, Dec. 22. Captain Storkey, V.C., has ai'rived, en route to his homo at Napier He «M welcomed by university representatives. THE STRANDW) NEW ZEALANDERS. Sydney, Dec. 22. Mr. Blow has despatched* a further cable io the Acting-Prime, Minister of New Zealand, urging an immediate effort to influence the Union Company to despatch the Moeraki in the interests of the women and children, whose funds are exhausted. Several passengers offered to subscribe towards the difference in the pay, which is causing the delay.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assoc. THE PORT DARWIN TROUBLE. Received Dec. 22, 5.5 p.m. Brisbane. Dec. 22. A mass meeting of industrialists at Port Darwin resolved to continue the agitation against Dr. Gilruth until their grievances were redressed and rights of citizenship granted. It is denied that the recent demonstration was the outcome of the increased price of beer, which was only a minor grievance.