LABOUR IN NEW SOUTH WALES.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20471, 15 February 1932, Page 9

LABOUR IN NEW SOUTH WALES.

BASIC WAGE REVISION. INCREASES IN THE TAX. '(.'KITED PjIESS ASSOCIATION —Br ELECT?.; C TELEGRAPH—COPYXIGHT.) (Received February 14th, 5.5 p.m.) SYDNEY, February 13. The "Suu" says that the State Labour Caucus is gravely concerned, owing to the condition of its finances, with a project of an increase in the wage tax from one shilling to two shillings in the pouud. As an offset to this, the Government may continue to hold up its application to the Arbitration Court for a revision of the basic wage. "It is understood that Mr J. T. Lang (Premier of New South Wales) takes the view that it is better to ask the basic wageearner to pay another four shillings to the Government than to permit a reduction in wages which will largely benefit the employers," states the "Sun." Those who differ from Mr Lang contend that if the wap;e is reduced in accordance with the fall in the> cost of living a big handicap will be removed from industrv in New South Wales, and that employment will be increased. The Lalx>ur Party is now in conference at Sydney, but Press representatives. except thos© of the Labour organs, are excluded from the sittings.

SOCIALISATION THE ISSUE. (Received February 15th, 12.48 a.in.) SYDNEY, February 14. Tlie State Labour Conference decided to fight the nest election on the issue pf the socialisation of all industrial and other activities. REQUEST TO FEDERAL BANK. WITHHOLDING STATE'S LOAN. MELBOURNE, February 13. In the absence of an assurance by the Premier of New South Wales (Mr J. T. Lang) that his Government would make any contribution to discharge the State's obligations to oversea and Australian bondholders, the Assistant Federal Treasurer (Mr S. M. Bruce) to-day requested the Commonwealth Bank to advance immediately the full amount of the loan money allocated to New South Wales for the unexpired portion of the financial year. If the bank accedes to the request,.the money will be withheld by the Federal Government to offset the proposed early payment of the interest and indebtedness of New South Wales.

COLONEL BRINSMEAD'S RECOVERY. EMBARKATION FOR AUSTRALIA. (Received February 14tli, 5.5 p.m.) SINGAPORE, February 13. Colonel Brinsinead left Bangkok on Saturday by steamer for Australia. He was able to walk up the gangway, and chatted with friends. His recovery is considered marvellous, and It that it will eventually be coinpletsd. Throughout his illness lus mind .has been a blank regarding the accident. He has only recently been told that five persons were killed.

RECOGNITION FOR HINKLER. THE BRITANNIA TROPHY. LONDON, February 12. The Royal Aero Club has awarded tho Britannia Trophy for the bust British flight of the year to Mr Bert Kinkier, who recently made a remarkable flight from New York to London, crossing the South Atlantic Ocean to Africa and continuing his journey across that continent.

A SCHOOL CENTENARY. (Received February 14tli, 5.5 p.m.) SYDNEY, February 14. King's School., Parrapiatta, is celebrating its centenary this week. Six hundred scholars from all parts of the Commonwealth and from overseas yesterday attended a dinner at which the Governor, Sir Philip Gam®,' was the guest of honour. In his speech Sir Philip f emphasised the value of tho public 6chool spirit, which other speakers pointed out, was strongly . inculcated at King's. JAPANESE CADETS AT SYDNEY. (UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION—BI ELICTJtIC TELEGRAPH —COPYRIGHT.) (Received February 141 i, 5.5 p.m.) SYDNEY. February . 13. The Japanese training barquentine, Shintoku Maru, arrived to-day with 65 merchant marine cadets aboard. The cadets are smartly turned out and their training is conducted on English lines. MURDER CHARGE FOLLOWS INQUEST. (Received February 14tli, 5.5 p.m.) PERTH, February 13. At Cue to-day, John Smith, alias Rowles, <was committed for trial on a charge of murdering Leslie Gear go Brown/ alias-Canon. •'' ' ' ' ' [The charge against Eowles follows an inquest concerning human remains, found in a camp-fire near Murchison, Western Australia, which, largely owing to tho evidence of two New Zea.landers who were called as witnesses by the police, were identified last week as being those of Leslie George Brown, alias Carron.]