AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 June 1922, Page 7

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

THE SHEARERS’ STRIKE. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Sydney, May 30. A mass meeting of shearers and shed hands decided not to commence work until the same rates as prevail in Queensland are granted in New South Wales. NEW SOUTH WALES PARLIAMENT. Sydney, May 30. Parliament has been further prorogued until June 20. A MARINE INQUIRY. Brisbane, May 30. Giving evidence at a Marine Board inquiry into the mishap to the steamer Lev-oka, the master of that vessel said he had since heard that the steamer Bomballa struck a similar obstruction about the same spot in 1018. THE CANBERRA DISPUTE. Sydney, May 31. The men’s representative on the tribunal for adjudicating the Canberra dispute has resigned on the grounds that the chairman is about to deliver an award not based on the evidence. The award is expected to-day. REDUCTION IN GAS PRICES. Brisbane, May 31. The Brisbane Gas Company has reduced the price of gas from 7s to 6s 8d per 1000 feet. PROPOSED REFORMS. Sydney, May 31. Mr. J. E. Spence, barrister and accountant have been appointed for a period of one year to reorganise the Government Printing Office. The senior inspector of the Public Service Board,. Mr. W. Brooks, Legislative Councillor and a master printer, who was recently commissioned to inquire into the workings of the department, reported that the business was too costly, owing to the generous concessions to the employees in the shape of sick pay, holidays, a short working week and increased salaries based on length of service instead of efficiency. , Mr. Brutntnell has submitted a minute to Cabibnet recommending a loan of £1,300,000 for new schools. Cabinet has decided that in future free railway carriage for children be restricted to children attending public schools. CHARGE AGAINST DETECTIVE. Melbourne, May 31. Detective Edmond Ethel! appeared in the City Court charged with having taken a bribe, a cheque fol* £9OOO, from i George Stuart, to forgo his duty as a I member of the police force of Victoria. I The case arose from a report from America that a war bond fop £lB,OOO had been stolen and the man suspected was in Australia. The man was reported to the police, and Ethell questioned him with respect to the missing bond. A trap was laid, the arresting detectives stating that they saw something pass between Ethell and the man when they again met. The hearing was adjourned till Thursday. '