AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 April 1920, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

NEW LABOR COMBINE. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Sydney, April 21, A movement is on foot to bring about a federation of all the maritime unions, including the Merchant Service Guild and Transport Workers' Union, with the object of preventing individual action by any organisation which would involve the other unions in an industrial struggle without first ascertaining the views of all concerned- An inter-State conference will be held at an early date to launch the new organisation.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.

AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE. Melbourne, April 21. Cabinet considered the defence proposals and it is expected Mr. Hughes will announce its policy in a few days. It is expected that while all Lord Jeilicoe's recommendations will not be adopted, pertain suggestions will be given effect to immediately. BROKEN HILL MINERS. Sydney, April 21. The Broken Hill miners rejected the Company's offer for a settlement. i . FRANCE AND THE TARIFF. Melbourne, April 21. It is unofficially stated that the Federal Government is placing France on the intermediate tariff and giving her preference in some other way.

PRINCE OF WALES' VISIT. Sydney, April 21. The City Council voted against the expenditure of £SOOO for the decoration of the city during the Prince of Wales' visit. SERVICE IN THE NAVY. Melbourne, April 21. The Government has decided to extend the period of service for ratings in the Australian Navy to twelve years. NEW STATE PROPOSED. Sydney, April 21. The proposal for the formation of a separate State of Northern New South Wales, including Newcastle, is being received and attracting general interest. The proposed new State has an area of 65,000 square miles and a pomuation of 460,000.

COMMERCE CONFERENCE. Adelaide, April 21. The Commerce Conference passed a motion urging the Federal Government to amend the Arbitration Act, fix the number of hours to be worked weekly, and appoint a Commission to report on the effect of shorter working hours on and the cost of living.

MORE PAY; LESS WORK. Received April 21, 9.40 p.m. Melbourne, April 21. At the Commonwealth Arbitration Court, during the hearing of a claim of the Timber Workers' Union for higher wages and a forty-four hour week, Mr. JusbTce Higgins suggested that representatives of the combined Employers' Federations and Trades Halls throughout Australia should appear before him to consider the ■possibility of substituting a forty-four hour working week as a standard in place of the present 48 hour week.

HOOKWORM CAMPAIGN. Received April 21, 9.50 p.m. Melbourne, April 21. Tho Hookworm campaign is proceeding satisfactorily. Four doctors are investigating in Queensland, and others have been despatched to the mines in Bendigo and Broken Hill. Another proceeds to Papua. The campaign is estimated to occupy five years, and to cost £IOO,OOO.

WELCOME Received April 21, 0.40 p.m. Brisbane, April 21. There were heavy falls of rain of nearly ten niches at several stations, and there are prospects of it extending »outh as far as the drought districts. X.S.W. AGENT-GENERAL, Received April 22, 12.15 am. Sydney, April 21. Cabinet has decided to terminate Mr. Hall's _ appointment as Agent-Oeneral forthwith. Mr. Coglilan will act pending the appointment of a successor. ANZAC DAY. Received April 22, 12.13 a.m. Sydney, April 21. Anzac Day has been proclaimed a public holiday. All shops will close. GOLF HOUSE DESTROYED. Received April 22, 1 a.m. Sydney, April 21. The Royal golf house at Rose Bay was destroyed by fire. The insurances