Page 2 Advertisements Column 8

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1236, 19 September 1911, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN ITEMS. ANOTHER EJECTION. MR. AVOOD AND THE SPEAKER. Although interjections were frequent during the proceedings of t'hc Now South AVulcs Legislative Assembly on September 12, there was only ono real "scene." It occurred shortly beloro 10. o'clock, when the galleries were still full, Mr. AVood, when speaking on tho Government proposal that oanrideration of tho Legislative Council amendments iu fiio Parliamentary Elections (Amendment) Bill should bo 'made an order of the day for next day, asked certain questions of Mr. liccby (tho Minister then in chargo of the. House), and was pulled up by the Speaker. .lie was told that his remarks were out of order, and that he was anticipating what might bo said when the debate oil the Bill commenced. At present lie must confine himself to the question whether consideration of the Bill should not bo made an order of the day. Mr. AVood persisted in referring to tho programme arranged by tho Minister, and continued to seek an answer on certain points regarding the method of dealing with the Bill, saving, "1 want to find out whether it should bo made an order of tho day." Tho Speaker remarked that tho motion before tho House was really a formal ono. Mr. AVood-. It seems to mo that everything is lonnal in this place. The Speaker: ] warn the lion, member that ho is defying tho Chair. Mr. AVood; I am not! Tho Speaker: I warn the hon. member a second time. There is a definite motion bjforo tho House, arid members must confine their remarks to that question. Tbo business must bo taken in its proper course, and the hon. member must obey tho Chair. Mr. AA'ood made another romaTk, tnrning to Mr. AVade, who was sitting besid# him, and was again oalled to order. He declared that his remark was addressed to Mr. AVade. Mr. AVade; Ho was speaking to me. Tho Speaker: The km, member is disputing the Chair. Mr. AA'ood (warmly): I'm not! Tho Speaker: Sergeant, I call upon you to removo tho hon. member for Boga. Tho hon. membor must learn to obey tho Chair. Tho Sergeant walked across the floor of tho House and stood beside Mt. AVood, who shouted, "I'll go out gladly. You will get tired of removing me! I have no hesitation in going out. lam glad to bo put out by a man like you." Then, turning back towards tho Government benches, whence came many interjections, and a continuous dirge-liko whistle, Mr. AVood said, "I am sorry for you all! I am sorry that you would allow me to lie put out! I am sorry for you!" Tho Sergcant-at-Arms then followed him out of tho Chamber. THE THEATRICAL TROUBLE. The recent dissatisfaction among thcatrk cal employees, which bore a threatening appearance about the time of the opening of the Melba grand opera season, has happily been removed. An agreement lias been arrived at. and the Theatrical Employees' Union lias endorsed the action of their officers in coming to terms with tho employers. A conference under Section 10 of tha Federal Arbitration Act was held at tho Darlinghnrst Courthouse, in the chamber of the President of tho Court, Mr. Justice Higgins.' It was summoned by his Honour at the request of the parties, with a view to the settlement of the dispute. Mossr.-. Hugh Ward and George Tallis represented ilio firm of Messrs. J. C. AVilliamson, Ltd., and Messrs. A. Hnckerby (general secretary), R, Thcrne (treasurer), and N. Connolly (viee-prcsidont) represented tho' Australian Theatrical Employees' Federation. After consultation, a satisfactory tho dispute was arrived at, and tho agreement will I>b submitted to the branches nlfccted. At tho conclusion of the conference his Honour congratulated the parties on tho satisfactory settlement of the matters in dispute in this important undertaking. A mass meeting of the Theatrical Employees' Union was held tho following aftornoon. After discussion, tho action of tho federation was endorsed by a largo majority, and tho officials were thanked for their services, as the agreement was considered to be satisfactory. It was stated that Mr. Justieo Biggins congratulated tho employers' representatives on their liberal spirit, and commendcd tho union officials for tho able and tempernto manner In which they had conducted; their case. It is anticipated that other firms will now fall into line with the AVilliamsoa and Clarke and Meynell combination, and that the whole industry will shortly be covered by the agreement. The federation intends to cite to tho Federal Arbitration Court any firms who aro not propaved to sign the agreement CHURCH EXTENSION. Tho Anglican Archbishop of Melbourno has been advised by his council that, iu order to carry out his proposed scheme of church extension in tho diocese, and to provido for tho curacies included in that scheme, it will bo necessary to secure at least from 15 to 20 additional clergymen, and that ns suitable men do not appear to be available in tho diocese, or even in tho Commonwealth, tho services of clergy trained in tho Home Church will have to bo obtained. It may bo necessary for someone who knows tho conditions of Australia, nnd also the party colour and personal character of incumbents to visit England next: year, in order to make a suitable selection of members of tho clergy for the work to be undertaken. Tho "Archbishop's scheme of extension provides for the opening up of 10 or 12 new parishes, and tho placing of about six curates in the larger districts in the diocese; and it is calculated that not more than five locally-trained men will bo obtainable for tho vacancies. THE "BLUE TERROR." A circular issued by tho central office iu regard to travelling expenses to and from work of postal employees has caused perturbation in tho New South AVoles postal service. ■ There is very strong leeling over tho matter, and the Electric Telegraph Construction Branch Union is taking action. Tho 'secretary of the Construction Branch Union has received a reply from tho Postmaster-General in connection with the representations of the union with reference to Section 40, Regulation 10, of tho Public Service Act, known as the "bluo terror." A conference has been decided upon, and representatives of tho union will confer with Mr. Hushes, tho Attor-ney-General. ilr. D. C. M'Lachlan, the Federal Public Service Commissioner, explained .tho origin of the term "bluo terror." Ho said that Section 40 of tho Public Scrvico Act provides that before an ollicer charged with a breach of regulations is dealt with by a public service Ijoard he has to be suspended. Tho officers objected to the suspension system, and,, at their request, a regulation was introduced, providing that, if the officer so desired, ho could be- dealt _\vith summarily by his chief officer. AA'hen oin officer is reported for an alleged breach of regulations, a blue paper is forwarded to him, asking him whether ho wishes to be dealt with by a public service board or by his chief ollicer. If he chooses tho latter course, it is not necessary for him to bo suspended. The blue paper served on tho officer concerned is the ori"in of the term "blue terror." Mr. M'Laclilnn points ont that the present system was introduced at the request of the'officers themselves, and that, they have, therefore, very li.ttlo ground for complaint. FORTY-TAVO DAYS' FAST. Some weeks ago a well-known Ballarat resident decided to abstain from food for a term, and to take only hot water during that time. 'In the first week he lost Gib. in weight. In the next week .the lo;* was •tib.. but after that it fell to about 21b. weekly, and continued at that rate for the vest of his fast, which ho imdcd aliw being -12 days without food. Every day ho drank copiously of hot water. After he hud been about Uirc; week's without solid nourishment he expnwjd his intention' of not eating until ho felt a desire fof food. Recently he lx>eame lningry, and ho then mdjed his voluntary fast, enjoying a moderate meal. Prior to his abstention he had had to lie very careful as to diet, but now ho takes food, which previously did not agree with him. The fast was for health's sake, raid tho gentleman states that he is now ill excellent health-