AUSTRALIA

Greymouth Evening Star, 30 April 1925, Page 5

AUSTRALIA

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association., VICTORIA'S POPULATION. MELBOURNE, April 30. The returns of the Government Statistician show the population of. Vic-, toria at flux end of 1924 was 1.614,582, whereof 869,280 are in the Metropolitan area, 40,600 in Ballarat, 37,740 in Geelong, and 33,640' in Bendigo. . WALSH ISLAND DISPUTE. SYDNEY, April 30. Twenty-four hours’ notice has been given to all employees at Walsh Island by tho management, that this morning, compressed air and hydraulic newer ard crane power would be available. and the employees would •be expected to use this power. No work requiring power would be allowed to be operated' by hand. The men would either have to use the power provided, or go home. Subsequently a meeting of engineers decided to refuse to work any machine!?, greased or driven by men, who are not members of the Federated Engine Drivers’ and Firemen’s Association. Moulders decided not to work if any other than engine drivers were placed in positions previously occupied by engine'drivers. i MORE PROTECTION. MELBOURNE, April 29. Guy Smith, associate president of the Chamber of Manufacturers, referring to the fear that the Federal Government will not give effect to the recommendations of the Tariff Board, and grant increased protection to certain industries, and that the woollen industry was in a deplorable state, and unless something was done for the engineering trade,' some firms would have to close. Tn addition to these, the match industry, paper and cardboard industries, and rubb'er trade were anxiously awaiting a revision of the tariff. The toy industry,' which- promis’d great things, is nearing the death knell. The surplus stocks of Britain and Germany had been dumped info Australia. To-day Germany practically controls the toy trade, the Commonwealth output having fallen by 65 per cent.