AUSTRALIAN AFFAIRS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 303, 22 December 1926, Page 7

AUSTRALIAN AFFAIRS.

MR. COYLE'S POSITION. HOSPITAL BOARD SECRETARY. FURTHER PROTESTS RECEIVED (By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.} (Received 11.30 a.m.) SYDNEY, this day. The Newcastle Hospital Board received a protest against the appointment of Mr. Coyle, of Wellington, as secretary of the board from the Hospital Employees' Association of New South Wales. The board decided that Mr. Williams' services should cease on January 24, the date Mr. Coyle arrives, but if Mr. Williams desired he could remain on at his present ealary until the matter is dealt ■with by the board. The question of Mr. Williams being allocated another position will be considered by Mr. Coyle. FURTHER LABOUR TROUBLE. ENGINEERS DISSATISFIED. SYDNEY, December 21. The Australasian Society of Engineers has been advised by the Arbitration Court that judgment in their application for a 44-hour week throughout the Commonwealth will not be delivered until February. Members of the society are very dissatisfied, and are becoming restive, and various branches have carried resolutions instructing the executive to take the necessary action to secure their demands. A mass meeting of all metropolitan branches has been convened for January 11, when definite proposals will be submitted to the members. BUDGET DEBATE. NEWSPAPER TAX. SYDNEY, December 21. In the Assembly to-day there was a further warm debate o n the Budget. The Premier, Mr. J. T. Lang, moved the closure, which was carried by 4o votes to 41. A message covering the Government's intention to impose a tax on newspapers was formally introduced, and the House then proceeded with the consideration of the estimates. DARING JEWEL ROBBERY. MELBOURNE, December 21. An audacious robbery was committed at mid-day at the premises of the Direct Supply Jewellery Company in Collins Street. Two-men climbed over the ruins of a cafe recently burned at the rear of the jewellery premises, entered the basement and rifled the safes, removing £2000 worth of jewellery and gems. The men then escaped.