AUSTRALIAN AFFAIRS

Evening Star, Issue 17792, 14 October 1921, Page 6

AUSTRALIAN AFFAIRS

Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Press Association, FORTY-FOUR-HOUR WEEK. SYDNEY, October 13. (Received October 14, at 12.10yi.rn.) A special court, under tho Eight-hour Amendment Act, decides from December 1 that all railway and tramway employees engaged on construction work involving capital expenditure as distinguished from expenditure which is a direct charge on revenue shall work forty-four hours weekly. The Railway Commissioner, in giving evidence, said lio estimated that a forty-four-hour week for the whole service would cost an additional £811,618 annually. (Received October 14, at 10.40 a.m.l Mr Justice Dccby, in the special court, declined to extend tho feriy-four-honr principle tn tho railway service, on account of the increase in cost involved, which would lead inevitably to increased fares and freights. MAORI JEWELLERY CASE. SYDNEY, October 13. (Received October 14, at 12.10 a.m.) Roderie Munrcme and Robert Munrn wore committed to tho eiistouy of Detective Thom, of Wellington, for return to New Zealand. THE NAVAL PROGRAMME. MELBOURNE, October 13. In tho House of Representatives _ the Minister of tho Navy presented tho Navy Estimates. Ho said that when they were drawn up the recommendations of the Imperial Gmfcrmcc regarding tho naval defence of the Empire, and tho decisions of tho Federal Government thereon were not available; consequently the estimates were, framed with tho view to maintaining the Nayy as far (is possible in a state of efficiency. They provided for (lie reduction of the fleet to fourteen ships, consisting of two light cruisers, one training cruiser, two sloops, four destroyers, a submarine bonnet ship, three .submarines, and one yacht. Tho personnel was 501 officers and 4.188 men. 'lhe. Australia would ho retained with a special crew for training purposes. QUEENSLAND’S LOAN. BRISBANE, October 13. In the Assembly tho Premier, explaining the American loan, said the Government was disinclined to break away from tho traditional lines of borrowing overseas. lint as London financiers, influenced apparently by political considerations, had made up their minds to keep Queensland off tho London market, and there was insufficient loci! money offering, the. Government had decided to accept, the American offer made through the Covmonwealth Rank, and under the advice of Ho governor of (hat hank, 'flic estimated cost of the loan would work out at less than 6 per cent. Arrangements had been made for the loan to ho invested in London and drawn upon ns required.

WOMEN IX CHURCH WORK. SYDXEY, October 10. Tire An,slican Synod _ 'is proceeding cantionslv over the question nf the wider employment of women in church work. Having previously passed the bishops’ recommendation that they bo admitted to the church councils, it was decided that the question of the position of women in the councils and the administration of the Church be postponed for consideration by the provincial diocesan synods. SYDNEY’S WOMEN. SMOKING AXD ITRIXKIXG PREVALENT. SYDXEY, October lb. At a conference of churchwomen some startling allegations were made regarding the alarming prevalence of smoking and drinking among young girls in Sydney. The ‘Daily Telegraph,’ commenting, says that smoking and drinking are certainly alarmingly prevalent among many women in Sydney, but it is years since these women were young. THY WODTHIXOTOX CASE, XEW TRIAL ORDERED. MELBOUPiXE, October lb. _ The Full Court ordered a r.cw trial in the case of J. M. Worthington, Sergcant-at-Arms in the State Parliament, who was found guilty of corruption and was recommended for mercy. His arrest tallowed the investigation of n number of safe robberies, including £2,'!'a) worth of war bonds.

QUEENSLAND POLITICS. BRISBANE, October 13 A .sensitb.i was caused in tho Legislative Council, the Minister of 3linos chart;inn- Mr Fowles with attempting to bribe him. The matter will bo reported to the House. THE NORTHERN TERRITORY. MELBOURNE, Or to her 14. (Received October 14, at 12.10 a.m.l In tho Senate tho Hon. K. 1). Millen stated that (ho ordinances for safeguarding the industries of tho Northern Terntorv against adverse actions hy organisations or associations had been approved, ami would shortly operate. (‘ Stead's Review’ for October 1, in discussing tho question, says; “Tho portion in the Northern Terri Wry has frankly become intolerable. Oidinanocs have_ been framed suspending tho system of trial by jury, and providing for the deportation of ‘defaulting taxpayers. This is tho result of tho visit of Mr Poynton, Federal Minister for Homo and Territories. The Territoiy enjoys no representation in Parliament, and, therefore, according to political theory, its people should he. discontented. There seems, however, to ba no doubt of the tyrannical rule of a section of Labor extremists, who have closed up the meat works, driven out rnem bors o*' Iho civil government, and, according to Mr I’oynton, inaugurated a regime of persecution.’’]

THE LABOR CONFERENCE. BRISBANE, October 14. (Received October 14, at 10.40 a.m.) The Interstate Labor Congress added an old clause to (ho objective—the cultivation' of Australian sentiment, a white Australia, and the development of a selfreliant community. A clause advocating the nationalisation of banking and tho promotion of the mnnicipalisation of activities was carried, also a clause advocating placing representatives of tiro employees and representatives of the community on boards to manage each industry, and tile establishment of Labor education institutions, at which workers would be trained in tho management of industries. SOUTH AUSTRALIAN BUDGET. ADELAIDE, October 14. (Received October 14, at 10.40 a.m.) Tho Treasurer (Mr Ritchie), in delivering his Budget, explained that tho revenue for 1920-21 totalled £7,151,000, showing a deficit of £392,000. Tho accumulated deficit amounted to £1,440,000. Tho revenue for 1921-22 was estimated at £7,796,000, the estimated surplus being £5,000. THE PRICE OF MILK. ADELAIDE, October 14. (Received October 14, at 10.40 a.m.) Tho Profiteering Court reduced the price of milk from 9d to per quart. LEAGUE OF NATIONS. WOMEN DESIRE REPRESENTATION. SYDNEY, October 14. (Received October 14, at 9.50 a.m.) The Women’s Citizens’ Association of New South Woles has decided to urge that a representative of the women of Australia shall 'be appointed to tbe League gf Nations.