AUSTRALIAN AFFAIRS

Evening Star, Issue 17957, 2 May 1922, Page 4

AUSTRALIAN AFFAIRS

Press Association—Bv Telegraph—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Press Association. LABOR DAY. BRISBANE, May 1. Labor Day was celebrated as a close holiday, with tho usual unionists’ procession. LAND SETTLEMENT SCHEME. SYDNEY, May 2. (Received May 2, at 11.50 a.m.) The Commonwealth Government has signified its approval of the State Government’s land scheme for the settlement of tho Murray Valley, the northern tablelands, Bur;injuck, and tho North Coast. COLLIERS’ CONDITIONS.. SYDNEY, May 2. (Received May 2, at 11.25 a.rn.) A number of the northern lodges have considered the coal mine owners’ terms. The result has not been divulged. AIR CATTS’S EXPULSION. SYDNEY, May 2. (Received May 2, at 11.30 a.m.) Tho Federal Labor Party’s Executive endorsed the action of the. New South Wales Executive in expelling Mr J. 11. Catts. It states that anything amiss in the. movement should bo remedied from within. THE MANUREWA. SYDNEY, May 1. Tho pilot at Camden Haven reports that lie sighted the Mannrowa on the afternoon of April 9. The agents slate that (ho vessel may be expected to reach, tiro Clarence River at any hour, as there has been no bad weather since April 1. ROSS MURDER- TRIAL. SHOT FIRED AT WETNESS. ' .MELBOURNE, May 2. (Received May 2, at 11.50 a.m.) Olive .Maddox, a Crown witness in tho Ross murder trial, reported to the police that a. man fired a shot at her on Saturday night iu a street in Fit/.rov. The police are unable to trace the man. THE COMMONWEALTH LINERS. SYDNEY, May 2. (Received May 2, at 11.40 a.m.) The Esperancc Bay and the Jervis Bay, the remaining Comm on wealth pi earners, which are due in Sydney on July 3 and 31 respectively, arc now nearing completion. [Tho tonnage of the Esperanco Bay is 13,851, and that of the Jervis Bay 15,837. The latter was launched on January 17. This will complete Hie Commonwealth Government Line’s new “Bay” list of passenger and cargo steamers.] THE CANBERRA STRIKE. SYDNEY, .May 2. (Received 1 May 2, at 11.30 a.m.) Mr Hughes has agreed to the request of a deputation that the strikers at Canberra shall return to work on the conditions which ruled’ prior to tho Easter rates, and that the hours be referred, to a tribunal for decision, which ~will bo accepted’ by both parties.

NEW SOUTH WALES POLITICS,

SYDNEY, May 2,

(Received May 2, at 11.5 a.m,

Alter an acrimonious discussion tho Coalition decided to support the Cabinet’s Salaries Bill, though it is feared that several members will vote with Labor if tho hitter proposes a further reduction in .Ministers’ salaries. \

Mr Doolcv lias issued a statement from his home justifying the increases on tho ground that country members when tra-vei-ling are put to an expense of £2 per day, which leaves little for the maintenance of a member's family, after a certain amount extra has been earmarked' for election expenses. Ho contends that 'the reduction will play into the bands of the wealthy classes who can afford public life. (Received May 2, at 12.15 p.m.)

The ‘Herald’ .says; “The members' salaries controversy involves the possibility of the Government’.-; defeat should- the Progressives move an amendment for the further reduction of .Ministers’ salaries, as they would carry the Labor vote. The Progressives urged the Government to allow the question to be an open one and to leave the decision to the House. Sir George Fuller refused to agree to this, but in consequence of (be strength of the opposition which has been disclosed, it is believed that lie will compromise. Cabinet will meet to-day to make a definite decision.” The ‘Herald’ adds: “Ministers by haggling and lighting against a reduction of their own salaries have done themselves and the party considerableharm, which could have been avoided if they had confided their intentions to their followers.”