AUSTRALIAN AFFAIRS

Evening Star, Issue 18044, 11 August 1922, Page 4

AUSTRALIAN AFFAIRS

Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. CHURCH AND STATE. .SYDNEY, August 11. (Received August 11, at 8.50 a.m.) Following much Press agitation, a movement is afloat in both New South Wales and Victoria to bring pressure to bear on the State Governments to take steps to deal with the promulgation of the Ne Temerc decree so far as. it may contravene tho civil haw; also to bring laundries which are run ill connection with charitable and religious institutions under the provisions of the Factories Act. BORNEO TIMBER. SYDNEY, August 11. (Received August 11, at 8.50 a.m.) Much alarm is expressed at the threatened danger from the borer Platpus cupkilus, which was recently discovered shipments of timber from Borneo. Experts declare that it is a serious menace, as no borer is more destructive to both standing and sawn timber. If it is allowed to spread it will do enormous damage, and no building will ho safe. The Government is urged to take immediate precautionary action. [Though timber in Borneo might be infested” with., beetle, it does not follow that the insect would live under tho climatic conditions in New Zealand. The representative of a Dunedin lirm informs ns that the shipments of Borneo timber that ho.vp reached Dunedin have been quite clean.] GO-SLOW POLICY. LABOR COUNCIL’S METHODS OPPOSED. - SYDNEY, August 11. (Received August 11, at 8.50 a.m.) The Trolly, Draymen, and Motor Driver®’ Union has withdrawn its affiliation with the Labor Council as a protest against the go-slow policy advocated by tho council.

TASMANIA*’ GOVERNMENT RESIGNS. HOBART, August 10. The Government has resigned, and Hie Assembly has adjourned till August 22. EIRE BRIGADE EMPLOYEES. SYDNEY, August 10. The Eire Brigades’, Employees' Union has now to decide whether or not it will accept a reduction in wages, (ho Eire Brigades’ Board having decided to adhere to the Arbitration Court's award. PUBLIC SERVICE AND ARBITRATION COURT. SYDNEY, August 10. Sir George Fuller announced that the Government has decided to introduce legislation withdrawing State public servants from access to the Arbitration Court, as a continuance of the court's jurisdiction over the Public Service is considered inconsistent with the economical and efficient control of the Public Service. The existing awards will be allowed to continue until the expiry of the period for which they were made.

MINERALS IN NEW SOUTH WALES. SYDNEY, Aiigust 10. The New South Wales mineral output for 1921 is valued at £14,108,648, compared with £11,411,462 for the previous year. The increase is largely due to the greater value of the coal output. SOUTH AUSTRALIA’S PREMIER. COMPULSORY ARBITRATION CONDEMNED. MELBOURNE, August 11. (Received August 11. at 11.25 a.m.) Sir Henry Harwell, wh.o'is visiting Melbourne, stated that his Ministry would soon ho introducing two Bills—one to repeal the industrial arbitration law, and the. second to establish a system of wages tribunals similar to those which existed prior to compulsory arbitration. Hr Henry Harwell added that his Ministry h,ad found compulsory arbitration sadly wanting. Instead of being helpful to industry, it was positively hurtful.