VARIOUS CABLES.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10459, 25 October 1911, Page 3

VARIOUS CABLES.

] United frm Association—By Elec- ; . trie Telegraph—Copyright. EXPLOSION IN A MINE. (Reveived October 21, 9 a.m.) NEW YiORK, October 23. At the Harrisburg coal mine, nine men were killed and ten injured by the explosion of a keg of powder and tlie ensuing cave-in of coal. The fact that the men were changing shift when the explosion occurred saved many lives. After-damp accounted for several of the deaths. Fifteen men are imprisoned deep in the workings. PAYMENT OF MEMBERS. (Received October 24, 9.20 a.m.) MELBOURNE, October 24. Addressing the Graduates Association, Lord Deriham, Governor-General ; of the Commonwealth, incidentally referred to Lord Dudley's cabled statement regarding; the payment of members. He said that though the systorn had been in operation for several j years there had been no reflection of | any kind upon the honour and integ- ' rity of Australian members of Parlia- . ment. Mr Fisher declared that he is astonished at Lord Dudley's references. The best answer is that Australia is politically clean. LABOUR UNREST. (Received Tuesday, 9.20 a.m.) SYDNEY, October 24. ' The. labour trouble has . spread, to tho Islands. The steamer Germanic reports that she had difficulty in obtaining men for loading a.tthe Marshall Islands, ow- \ ing to the native wharf labourers de- j manding an increase of froni two to j three marks daily. J An attempt to secure other labour | failed, and the cargo was eventually | shipped with the help of prisoners i and native policemen. i The inter-State companies arei practically treating Sydney as non-exist-ent, so far as freights are concerned, maintaining the passenger service only" The crews are being assisted by clerks and other permanent h&nds in j loading and unloading perishable portions of cargoes. ■Some of the coastal vessels returned without unloading. Large quantities of; dairy produce are included in their cargoes. _ According to the Herald, the, Water side Workers' -Conference at Melbourne on Saturday ordered the strikers to resume, but the Sydney Wharf Labourers' Union ignored the c j der. This, it is alleged, has caused friction amongst the strike leaders. ■ MELBOURNE, October 24. The representatives of the Mount Lyell strikers have approached the directors with a view to holding another conference, after visiting the mines and ascertaining the men's attitude. The inter-State conference of employers adopted a series of resolutions against any further amendment of the Conciliation and Arbitration Act, re senting Federal encroachment, and asking that all industrial -legislation be' controlled liy the various States themselves. LONDON, October 24. The South Wales Miners' Federal tion Executive has submitted a revised 1 demand for a minumum wage, in abnormal places, of eight shillings for miners and five shillings for labourers. (Received October 24, 10.30 a.m.) 1 LONDON, October 23. Three thousand unionists and nonunionists at the Birmingham Small Arms factory have struck for a 2-} per cent, increase. r I The Executive of the Amalganiao >'i Society of Railway Servants will meet at London on the 30th to consider the Royal Commission's report. The Liverpool branch recommends a 24-liours' ultimatum. CHARGE OF MURDER. DR. PEAOOCK'S TRIAL. j (Received October 24, 9.30 a.m.) J /MELBOURNE, October 24. : The trial of Dr. Peacock for the ' .murder of the girl Davies is ingThe evidence for,the defence stated that-Davies was treated for threatened premature 'birth., The girlwag in gr<eat distress owing I to want of funds. Dr. Peacock asked her to remain, but she persisted in leaving. The accused performed no operation. THE WHEAT CROP. PROSPECTS IN NEW SOUTH WALES. (Received October 24, 8.40 a.m.) SYDNEY, October 24. ■The Government Statist forecasts

that the New South Wales wheat crop will yield between twenty-one and twenty-two million bushels, at least two or three million below last year's average. With timely rainfall the estimate will be considerably enhanced, but, on the other hand, continuance of the present dry weather will rtic. risk of a general failure of the crop. BRITISH MINISTRY. (Received October 24, 11.5 a.m.) LONDON, October 23. The following changes have been made in the Ministry:— Earl Carrington becomes Lord Privy of the Seal. • Hon. R. McKenna becomes Home Secretary. Mr Winston Churchill becomes lirsfc Lord of the Admiraly. THE RAILWAY DISPUTE. (Received October 24, 8.5 a.m.) LONDON, October 23. The Sheffield and Bradford amalga- ; mated railway men have passed a resolution repudiating the Royal Commissioners report' on: the August strike. At Doncaster the men resolved to ask the Joint Committee to demand and eight hours' day with a minimum of 30s weekly and unqualified recognition. Failing compliance with their demands within a fortnight there will be a general strike. Mr Carnes says the commission's method of adjusting the railway trouble is an improvement on 1907. < Mr Williams says if the railwaymen I continue working under the present | conditions until next July it would be ! an absolute disgrace, condemning a hundred thousand men to work for less than a pound a week. Mr Applpton appreciated the disappointment of the men, but trusted for the time being they would swallow their resentment aond honourably ! carry out the undertaking, grimly I determined to sweep away the decis- j ion at the proper time.