LABOUR IN AUSTRALIA.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17460, 22 May 1922, Page 7

LABOUR IN AUSTRALIA.

BASIC WAGE IN N.SAV. • AN INTERESTING POSITION. ("Br Cable—Press Association—Copyright.) (Australian and Cable Association.) SYDNEY, May 20. An interesting position has arisen as a result of th© appeal to Full Court challenging the authority of tho Board of Trade to issue more than one basic wage declaration in a year. The prpvious Government sought legal advice on the sain© point when refusing to gazette the previous declaration. It was ascertained then that the only procedure would be to contest the application of the new rate. The Bread CaTters' Union appealed against tho Board's declaration, which was referred to the Full Court by Mr Justice Rolin. If the appeal is upheld, the Government will be obliged to amend the Act widening the powers of the Board, but such an action would bo against Sir George Fuller's preelection promise that there would bp no reduction in wages except tho decreases granted in the ordinary course. The vaiious branches of tho baking trade arc. holding a mass meeting on Sunday, with a view io deciding on tho action to bo taken in the event of wages being decreased.

ENGINEERS' WAGES. SYDNEY, May 20. Tho railways a fid tramways section of the Amalgamated Engineering Union is convening a meeting to consider the High Court's decision that the Railway Commissioners ar© not bound by the Federal award granting the engineers a substantial irlcreaso in wages. STEEL WORKS CLOSE DOWN. SYDNEY", May 20. The last of the mills at tho Broken Hill steel works at Port Waratah will close next wwk. It is authoritatively stated that the company will not entertain thoughts of r*-opening the mills until wages and the price of coal are reduced. "UNEMPLOYMENT IN SYDNEY. SYDNEY, May 20. The Lord Mayor announced that owing to prompt action by the. Government, the problem of the unemployed had been practically solved. The City Council was absorbing a number of men, and tho suburban councils were employing those resident in their own districts. Where practicable, soldiers . were to l>e given preference in employment, then married men, and , single men last.