AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Feilding Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 4576, 29 April 1922, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

MEMBERS' SALARIES BILL. j Bv Electric Teie«rapn.—Copyright (Aust N.Z. Cahle Sydney, April 28. The Members' Salaries Bill is not vet out of the wood. Sir George Fuller's intention was to force it through at one sitting, but he found that the feeling against rushing was too strong, and he had to consent to holding it over till next week, when various proposed amendments will be discussed. The debate disclosed a good deal of caballing amongst various sections over the Bill, and much diversity of opinion as to the scope of the reductions, some favouring as much as £SOO. One of the main weapons vised against the Government was that the reduction in Ministerial salaries was disproportionate to that of members. The defence was that at the time that salaries were raised, members got an increase of 75 per cent, and Ministers only a 4.0 per cent. advance, and Ministers are making the reductions retrospective for themselves.

MISSING BARQUE MANUREWA. Sydney, April 28. There are no tidings of the barque Manurewa, although wireless messages have been sent broadcast, asking shipping to keep a strict lookout. The agents decline to discuss the despatch of a search steamer, stating it is a question for the owners to decide. HOBSON'S BAY GETS A FULL * CREW. Sydney,. April 28. The chief officer of the Hobson's Bay has signed on with a full crew of seamen, oxcept two. The engagement of the engine-room complement is also proceeding satisfactorily. The skipper is quite confident that the steamer will sail to time.

RAIN STOPS TENNIS. Sydney?" April 28. Heavy rain caused a postponement of the tennis tourney till Saturday. The New Zealanders play in the championships on Monday. M. VERBRUGGHEN'S CONTRACT, v Sydney. April 28. Further advices from the United States report that M. Verbrugghen has been offered the conductorship of the Minneapolis Orchestra for ten. weeks at £2OO weekly. The board representing the guarantors and subscribers has decided that as the engagement would run into the 1922 season, M. Verbrugghen be called on to readjust the terms of the contract with the New South AVales Government. LABOUR POLICY. Sydney, April 27. The Labour Party has drafted a tentative policy including complete Australian self-government as a British community with ono sovereign parliament .for the Commonwealth; the abolition of State Parliaments and Governors; all duplicated departments to bo amalgamated; Federal electorates to be grouped according to a population quota, means of communication and community of interests.