AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 October 1920, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

GENERAL ITEMS. / / Bj Tejegtaph.—Prei> Ann.—Copytltfit. I Received Oct. 15,1.50 a.m. Sydney, Oct. 11 Evidence was given before the Railway Commission that 21,592 employees left work during tlie great strike in 1917, of whom 20,2!)2 were dismissed, but 18,34' l were re-employed, while 19,784 remained loyal to the commissioners and continued work. Sydney, Oct. 14. Late rains have respited in an abundance of feed in the stock districts, with a greatly improved supply in the stockyards. ' Prices for bbth cattle and sheep have slumped considerably, a further downward tendency.-*-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. Sydney, Oct, 14. The shipowners are contemplating the establishment of labor bureau* at Newcastle and Brisbane, with the object of fighting the harassing strikers. It is hoped to enrol the moderate element among the transport workers, to whom preference will be guaranteed.—Aus.-N.Z,, Cable Assn. Sydney, Oct. 14. - Mr. 'l/illis the miners' secretary is visiiing Broken Hill with regard to resumption of work. He stated that the outlook was gloomy, the miners being dissatisfied with the award, especially the surface men, whose case for shorter hours had failed.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable A&sn. Sydney, Oct. 13. A Royal Commission has commenced an inquiry into the control and administration of the New .South Wales railways. They have been asked to make recommendations regarding economical, profitable administration, fares and rates, the industrial conditions of the employees, and their bearing on industrial unrest; also the dismissal of employees as a result of the 1017 strike.. Received Oct. 13, 7.35 p.m. Sydney, Oct. 13.

In connection with the Chief Justice's refusal 'to appoint a judge to deal with the question of members' salaries, Mr. Storey (the Premier) stated in the Assembly that the Chief Justice had no control over other judges. If any judge was elected to Jill the position at the request of the Government, the Chief Justice had no voice in the matter.

Owing to dissatisfaction at the recent award of the masters, the engineers' branch of the Merchant Service Guild has decided to alliliate with the Transport Workers' Federation. The Sydney University Sports Union lias decided to award ten swimming blues annually, one for each State swimming championship. The decision to «6 recognise swimming is without precedent in the British Empire. The famous trotter Ribbonwood is dead. Melbourne, Oct. 13. Mr. W. A. Watt (ex-Federal Treasurer) was demonstratively welcomed by a big gathering. Nomination* for the State elections on the 21st include seven Labor, three Liberal, and one Farmers' Union candidates, who was returned unopposed. Votesplitting between the Liberals and Farmers' candidates threatens to enable Laboriles to win several seats. After spending £(140,000 on the Fluv. ders naval base, approved by Sir Reginald Henderson's scheme of naval defence, the Commonwealth Government finds it unsuitable for submarines and destroyers. Brisbane, Oct. 13. Several seats are still in doubt, though the Government is still credited with forty. The- Country Party has twenty, not twenty-one as previously stated, and the Nationalists twelve. There is a possibility that the Government majority will be reduced by a narrow margin. The Nationalists claim that plural voting is rampant, and in some cases a vote is recorded four times.