AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 August 1922, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

TRANSIT SERVICES. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright, Received Aug. 13, 5.5 p.m. Sydney, August 13. The New South VV'ales railways and, tramways during the past year produced a surplus of £6027.| The railways were worked at a losb of £121,164, while the tramways made a surplus of £127,191. The combined services produced a net return of 5.08 per cent. The report claims that £2,567,000 was saved on the year by increased efficiency and more economical working. L N.S.W. MINERALS. Sydney, August 10. The New South Wales mineral out-M put for 1921 is valued at as compared with £11,411,462 for the previous year, the increase being largely, due to the greater value of the coal' output. FIRE BRIGADES’ WAGES CUT. 1 Sydney, August 10. The Fire Brigades Employees’ Union now faces the position whether they will accept a reduction of wages, the Fire Brigade Board having decided to adhere to the Arbitration Court’s award. THE 48 HOURS BILL. Sydney, August 11. The 4'B Hours Bill was read a third time by 41 votes to 27. THE COAL TRIBUNAL. Sydney, August 11. Owing to the decision of the High Court restraining the Coal Tribunal from hearing the south coast claims pending the hearing of the owners" application to make the rule absolute, th* tribunal adjourned sine die. A COSTLY JOURNEY. Melbourne, August li. In the House of Representatives the' Treasurer explained that ’ Mr. W. M. Hughes’ trip to London for the Imperial Conference in 1921 cost the Commonwealth £9168. NE TEMERE DECREE. Sydney, August IL Following much Press agitation, al movement is on foot, both in New South Wales and Victoria, to bring pressure to bear on the State Governments to take steps to deal with the promulgation of the ne temere decree, so far as it may contravene the civil law, also to bring laundries run in con-, nection with charitable religious instil tutions undetf the provisions of the Factories Act. A DESTRUCTIVE BGRER. . Sydney, August 11. Much alarm is expressed at the threatened danger from the borer, platypus cupulatus. recently discovered in shipments of timber from Borneo. Experts declare that it is a serious menace. No borer is more destructive to both standing tnd sawn timber. Ifi allowed to spread it will do enormous damage and no building will be safe. Thd Government is urged to take immediate precautionary action. UNION RESENT GO-SLOW. Sydney, August 11. The Trolley, Draymen and Motordrivers’ Union lias withdrawn its affiliation to the Labour Council as a protest against the go-slow policy advocated by the council. PUBLIC SERVANTS & ARBITRATIdW. Q .' Sydney, August 10. j ° r^e Puller has announced that' the Government has decided to introduce legislation withdrawing State public servants from access to the Arbitration Court, as a continuance of thtf courts jurisdiction over the public service is inconsistent with economical aad efficient control of the public service. I he existing award will be allowed to ronlmne unti! the expiry of the prciod foi which it was made. QUEENSLAND FINANCE. A Brisbane, August 11. „J Iv sscmM y Mt. Theodore delivered the financial statement and said the estimated deficit for iflei-es was greased from £405,000 to the estimated revenue for the eurrent