AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8477, 3 July 1907, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

ALLEGED WHEAT RING.

Received July 2, 10 a.m. ADELAIDE, July 2,

The Commissioner of Lands, the Hon. L. O'Loughlin, has promised that a Government enquiry shall be held* into an alleged wheat ring, which, it is stated, has kept prices one penny to threepence below New South Wales and Victoria prices.

MELBOURNE-SYDNEY TELEPHONE.

Received July 2, 10 a.m. SYDNEY, July 2. The telephone line between Sydney and Melbourne is complete, and will be opened next week.

CONGESTION AT NEWCASTLE. Received July 2, 10 a.m. SYDNEY, July 2. Shipping manors are firmly resisting the new kaciing regulations at Newcastle. Hh?. harbour is crowded with vessels.

FIRE IN SYDNEY.

Received July 2, 10 a.m. SYDNEY, July 2. A firs at Gordon and Sons' shirtmakers, caused damage estimated at £7,000.

HOTELS CLOSED.

Received July 2, 10 a.m. SYDNEY, July 2,

Five hotels have been closed at Bathurst, owing to non-renewal of their licenses.

TRAGEDY AT HILLSTON.

Received July 2. 10.12 p.m. SYDNEY, July 2. A tragedy occurred, to-day, at H illston. A man named Robert Whatley knocked at the door of a house occupied by a t woman named Hussey, and when the door was opened, he shot the woman in the breast, the bullet emerging at the armpit. Whatley then asked if she was nearly dead, and getting an affirmative reply, blew out. his own brains., The woman is progressing favourably.

COAL LUMPERS' DISPUTE.

Received July 2, 10.12 p.m. SYDNEY, July 2. .. When the Coal Lumpers' Conference resumed, it was decided to conduct the proceedings with open doors. The coal lumpers submitted the following proposals -.—Rates of pay for dav work, Is 6d per hour; overtime, excepting Saturday, 2s 3d per hour; Saturday, 2s per hour; Saturday afternoon to midnight, 3s per hour; abolition of Sunday work; payment for time the men are kept waiting; that two shall not carry more than seven yards; and recognition of the Coal Lumpers' Union. After a lengthy discussion, the lumpers' delegates undertook to protect free labourers from molestation provided they were t engaged in certain recognised channels. During the discussion on the rates of pay, the 1 Union delegates suggested letting the Arbitration award go and fixing ud an award independent of it. "The employers' representatives claimed that the rates demanded were equal to a 40 per cent, increase on the present rates and asked for time to/consult other members of the Association. 7 . The Conference adjourned until toI morrow. ■ ';..."