AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 June 1922, Page 7

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

SUSPECTED CASE OE PLAGUE. ’ By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Brisbane, June 1. The steamer Southgate, from Calcutta, landed a fireman suspected to be suffering from plague. After fumigattion the vessel will sail for Sydney. PUBLIC SCHOOL CONDEMNED. Sydney; June 1. The Waratah Council condemned the Mayfield Public School as unfit for human occupation and served 30 Jajs’ notice on the Minister of Education to quit. THE PREFERENCE QUESTION. Melbourne. June 1. The Prime JMinister will again approach the Imperial authorities with a view to obtaining Australian meat. It is explained that Britain is not likely to acced*;*being a free trade country, and such action would invite reprisals by other countries. UNIVERSITIES’ CONFERENCE. Melbourne. June 1. The inter-State University Conference passed a resolution in favOtir of a scheme for uniformity of th^.degrees in various States, also to ask Cajnbridge University to give greater recognition to Australian degrees where a student uesirea to ,do additional work in England and to ask London University to recognise the Australian matriculation examinations. It was agreed there should be common university vacations in all States in order to encourage competitive games

REPORTED OIL FIND. Brisbane, June 1. The bore on Dun’s farm at Beaudesert was pumped dry in the presence of the Acting-Premier, Mr. Jones, and then the water making in the well was placed in a bottle and an inch of petroleum rose to the top, giving a strong smell of kerosene. It is regarded as an excellent sample. THE SUGAR INDUSTRY. Sydney, June 1. Mr. Earl Page, commenting on the sugar industry, urged protection for the; cane-growers. He advised them to cooperate in self-defence with the object of acquiring raw sugar mills and arranging with the refining companies for the purchase of raw sugar over a term of years. * WHITE AUSTRALIA. Brisbane, June 1. Mr. Hughes, speaking at Flattog, stated that he was an inveterate believer in a White Australia The farther north he penetrated the more convinced he was that the icountry could proJace a virile white population. He bad no time for the people who wanted r coloured race in the North. If such a ory gained a footing he for one -would never couch a lance for Australia. SHEARERS’ DISPUTE. Sydney, June I. The Graziers’ Conference decided to combat any attempt on the part of the Australian Workers’ Uunion to create a strike in the shearing industry and appointed a committee to consider ways and means if a hold-up is attempted. A denial has been given to the shearers’ statement that some New South Wales sheds have started under T,he Queensland rates which the Australian Workers’ Union is seeking to enforce. It is reported that shearing is in full swing in Westralia under the new Federal award rates.. SEARCH FOR MANUREWA. Melbourne, June 1. The navy- is sending the mine sweeper Geranium to search for the Manurewa. Her special mission will be to search outside the reefs north of Lord Howe Island. COAL MINES TROUBLE. Sydney, June 1. The conference between the coal owners and miners proved abortive, the miners not agreeing to any reduction in wages. The owners will refer the claims of the coal industry to the special tribunal, but miners threaten a serious industrial upheaval if the owners’ claims are granted. The export coal figures for. Newcastle during May show a falling off of 390000 tons exported, two-thirds to other States and New Zealand. The exports to foreign countries are approximately 10 per cent, of the whole. Victoria imported 125,000 tons and New Zealand 55,000 tone. CAUSE OF INDUSTRIAL CHAOS. Sydney, June 1. A New South Wales section of the Commonwealth Single Purpose League for the abolition of the compulsory clauses of .the Federal State Arbitration Acts will be launched. A manfeato issued to the public claims that arbitration has broken down; The overlapping of awards, conflicting decisions, farcical inquiries into the cost of living and open defiance of the court’s decision's have created a maze of industrial chaos. The League does not propose the abolition of the Arbitration Court, which will remain in the event of both parties agreeing to approach it.