A SOVIET FLAVOUR

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 291, 4 September 1931, Page 9

A SOVIET FLAVOUR

New Lang Bill Condemned

EFFECT ON INDUSTRY Would Prevent a Revival “REEKS WITH INJUSTICE” By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. (Rec. September 3, 9.15 p.m.) Sydney, September 3. The Select Committee of the Legislative Council, which has inquired into the Amending Arbitration Bill now before Parliament, reports that the Bill is a most one-sided piece of legislation. “It is saturated with Soviet principles, reeking with flagrant injustices, and therefore would have a most disastrous effect. on all industries,” the report states. The committee recommends the exclusion of all rural workers and domestic servants from the Bill; also other amendments In the direction of enabling industry to function as normally as possible. The report adds that it would be absolutely futile to expect a revival of Industry under the provisions of this Bill. LEADERS’ PESSIMISM Finances of the Country LIMIT TO ECONOMY PLAN Sydney, September 3. The "Sydney Morning Herald” says that the Melbourne Premiers’ Conference considered the financial position of the Federal and State Governments with respect to the economy plan In an atmosphere of uncertainty and pessimism. It was realised that the aggregate of Government deficits for this financial year would be so much in excess of the £15,000,000 which the banks agreed to meet > that the economy plan on Its present basis would be a failure. It is understood that the aggregate additional deficits for the financial year are approximately £30,000,000. From the general trend of the discussion It seemed that the Premiers felt that banks would have real difficulty in finding the additional credit, and resort would have to be made to a further effort to restrict expenditure and increase revenue. The great difficulty of Imposing additional taxation is recognised, but the Premiers were Inclined to take the view that if further sacrifices were needed there should be no hesitation in applying for it SHELVING OF AWARDS Move in Victoria EMPLOYERS TO CONFER Melbourne, September 3. Employers’ organisations are meeting in conference next week and formulating a request to all Governments for a temporary suspension of State Industrial awards or such awards as are hampering trade and commerce. Representatives of chambers of commerce and manufacturers argue that many businesses and industrial concerns are In such a parlous state that they must have immediate respite from industrial restrictions. The alternative would be-coll apse and much additional unemployment.' SAVINGS BANK RATES ’interest on New Business Sydney, September 3. The Commissioners of the <Government Savings Bank have decided that interest rates for the “new business” division of the Savings Bank shall be.3l per cent, on amounts to £5OO, and 3 per cent, from £5OO to £lOOO. Friendly societies’ accounts are to be allowed 34 ■ per cent, on all balances up to amounts approved. Deposits on Monday or Tuesday next will carry interest for the full month. There will be no fee for keeping accounts of the Rural Bank "new business” division up to the end of December, 1931. DUMPING BY STATES Bill in New South Wales Mr. J. M. Baddeley, Minister of Labour, asked for leave to introduce into the New South Wales Legislative Assembly a Bill calculated to prevent the manufacturers in other Australian States from dumping boots, clothing and bedding into New South Wales. He explained that it was not the quality of the goods which could be objected to, but tbeir cheapness, due to the fact that labour conditions in the other States were less favourable to the workers than in New South Wales. The .Bill provides that the name of the manufacturer and the place of origin must be stamped on the goods mentioned. Leave was granted. [By Radio, per Mr. I. M. Levy.]