AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 May 1921, Page 6

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

QUEENSLAND LEAD SMELTERS. By Telegraph.—-Press Assn —Copyrfcht. Brisbane, May 6. The Minister of Mines announced that it was expected to re-start the lead smelters at Chillamee by the end of the month. THE FIVE DAYS’ WEEK. Newcastle, May 6. The Industrial Council has decided to demand a 44 hours week, to be worked in five days. HOURS OF WORK AND WAGES. Sydney, May 6. The Arbitration Full Court decided that a Judge, in giving an award reducing the hours of work, may in his discretion also reduce wages. HOSPITAL DAY IN SYDNEY. Sydney, May 6. The annual hospital collection was taken up to-day. The amount realised was considerably smaller than last year. A later count greatly improved the Hospital Saturday returns, which now promise to beat previous years. FREIGHTS TO JAPAN. Sydney, May 7. Owing to the Japanese Government withdrawing the subsidy from the Jap-anese-Australian mail service the special freight rates have been abolished. SOLDIERS’ GRATUITIES. Melbourne, May 7. In the House of Representatives, Sir Joseph Cook stated that out of a total of 25 millions’ worth of gratuity bonds issued to soldiers 13 millions had been cashed. TROUBLE IN COAL MINES. Sydney, May 7. Following the decision of the Coal Employers’ Federation to impose penalties on employees responsible for unjustified strikes there have been 13 strikes during the last week in the pits in the Newcastle and 'Maitland districts, the majority for the most trivial reasons UNION OF THE CHURCHES. Brisbane, May 7. As a step towards the union the joint committee of the Presbyterian, Methodist, and Congregational Churches recommended the united training of the ministers of the three churches. WOOL SCHEME ENDORSED. Melbourne, May 7. The Senate endorsed the wool scheme as received from the House of Representatives. FLAG-BURNING INCIDENT. r Sydney, May 6. A crowded meeting at the Town Hall carried a motion protesting against the burning of the Union Jack in the Domain on Sunday. The hall was full two hours before the meeting commenced, and overflow meetings were held in the streets in the vicinity. ST. PATRICK’S DAY CELEBRATIONS. - Sydney, May 6. The Council of the Royal Agricultural Society has decided to debar the St. Patrick’s Day celebration committee from the use of its ground in future, owing to the allegedly disloyal resolution carried and the speeches made at the last celebration.