AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 April 1922, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

CANBERRA STRIKE. By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright. Sydney, April 28. A deputation asked Sir George Fuller to intervene in the Canberra strike. Sir George promised to consult Mr. Hughes on the latter’s arrival in Sydney shortly. He could not believe that Mr. Foster was susceptible to Melbourne influences, though the latter had determined to prevent if possible the establishment of the Federal capital in its own home. Whilst he was unable to decide the merits of the Federal dispute it was his duty to endeavor to prevent unemployment in the State. A message from Queanbeyan states that Mr. Foster has compromised and suggested that the men should return to work at the old rates of pay, but for the new hours. The men refused, and the position is otherwise unchanged.

LIBEL ACTION SETTLED. Sydney, April 27. A settlement has been effected in the claim by Aiderman Bramston for £lO,000 damages for alleged libel against Smith’s Weekly Newspaper. ANOTHER PLAGUE RAT. Sydney, April 27. Another plague rat has been discovered at Alexandria. LITHGOW ARMS FACTORY. Sydney, April 27. A hundred dismissal notices have been issued to employees of the Lithgow arms factory, and more will follow. CITY COUNCIL FUNDS. Sydney, April 28. A' boy in Sydney was recently killed in attempting to stop a runaway horse. Members of the City Council desired to vote £5O to the relatives in recognition of the heroic action. The City solicitor ruled that the council had no power to vote money for such a purpose. If the boy had been killed accidentally a claim for compensation would have Meld. COAL MINES CRISIS. Sydney, April 28. A special meeting of the council of the Coalminers Federation rejected the employers’ proposals and decided to stand behind their own claims already placed before the tribunal. Mr. Willis, secretary, issued a manifesto urging workers not to be stampeded into a general stoppage. The All Australian Trade Union Congress, to be held in Melbourne in June, he said, would probably formulate a definite policy for safeguarding the interests of the workers. He reminded the men that it was remarkable a previous industrial upheaval had occurred during the Nationalist regime, and another was threatening on its return to power. NEW LABOR PARTY.! Sydney. April 28. The Majority Labor Party has drafted a tentative policy, including complete Australian self-government as a British community with one Sovereign and Parliament for the Commonwealth, the abolition of State Parliaments and Governors, all duplicated departments to be amalgamated, the Federal electorates to be grouped according to the population quota, means of communication and community of interests. ON STATE INDUSTRIES. Sydney, April 28. Mr. Henley has announced that the Government has decided to dispose of the State lime and brick works at Botany by tender or sale. The capital cost is £37,251 and the accumulated losses £19,-827.