AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8500, 1 August 1907, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

A JUDGESHIP. Received July 31, 9.30 a.m. MELBOURNE, July 31. Mr W. 11. Mojle has been appointed to the judgeship vacated by the death of Judge Molesworth. SHOP ASSISTANTS' AWARD. Received July 31, 9.30 a.m. SYDNEY, July 31. The shop assistants' award embodies an advance of about 30 per cent, in wages generally, and in so:ne instances frcm 40 to 50 pel' ':ent. The wages of male assistants of nine years experience has been fixed at £2 10s, and of females at not less than 27s 6d; hours, .53 per week. The employers representative in the arbitration dissented from the award relating to remuneration, declaring that tne minimum rates were excessive, especially for females, and if ultimately adopted, and made a common rule, would tend to great loss, and in some cases ruin to business people. Received August 1, 12.18 a.m. SYDNEY, July 31. The shop assistants award is limited to the Metropolitan area. Y.M.C.A. Received July 31, 9.32 a.m. SYDNEY, July 31. The Governor, Sir Harry Rawson, laid the foundation stone of the Young Men's Christian Association's new buildings, which will cost, with fittings, £34,000. THE RESIGNATION OF SIR JOHN FORREST. Received July 31, 9.33 a.m. MELBOURNE, July 31. In the House, Sir John Forrest, referring to his resignation, said it was reasonable that the Labour Party should resent keeping him in office cn a good fat salary after all he had done to defeat them. This was the only honourable course he could take, and even at the loss of office and prestige he was not going to bring discredit upon himself, as he felt he would do if he hung on to place and power. Mr J. C. Watson, leader of the Labour Party, in an interview, said the only matter for surprise was that Sir John Forrest had been so long considering his attitude towards the Labour Party. The resignation cleared the situation. THE SCULLING CHAMPIONSHIP. Received July 31, 9.55 a.m. SYDNEY, July 31. The final deposit had been made in j the Towns-Webb match. The contingent of New Zealanders by the Wimmera journeyed to the river and witnesesed the training. Webb's work consisted of two journeys over the full course. He was paced by Mitchell. Local critics declare that he showed much improvement on the previous runs, the smooth water suiting him better. Some of the ex-champions who were present freely expressed praise regarding his pace and unquestionable staying powers. Towns' backers are pleased with their man's form, and a good race is expected. (The match, which is looked fori ward to with considerable interest, will be rowed on Saturday next.)