AUSTRALIA

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 November 1931, Page 2

AUSTRALIA

[BY CABUC —PBESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.] CARPENTERS IN RUSSIA. SYDNEY, November 13. The Carpenters’ Union here and in Queensland is discussing a proposal to supply unlimited efficient labour for Russia, to help with the development of the Soviet Five Year Plan, and an offer has been made in a letter, recently despatched, setting out the terms under which carpenters and joiners are prepared to migrate.

N.S.W. ELECTIONS SYDNEY, November 14. Mr. Bavin has protested against the Government ordinance issued in New South Wales, requiring municipal electoral officers to group the names of candidates on voting papers in such a way as to bring State political issues into the municipal field. Formerly the names were printed in alphabetical order, irrespective of Party. WESTRALIAN COAL MINES PERTH, November 14. Owing to the alleged go-slow practices, since the new award operated, the Amalgamated Collieries Limited owners of five Collie mines, dismissed a numbeu. of men, and closed one pit. The unions are now proceeding against the Company, alleging a lockout. The Railway Department is obtaining coal from Newcastle, at a price 2/9 above the Collie rates. SHIPPING COMPETITION. SYDNEY, November 13. The Federal Assistant Minister of Transport, Mr Cunningham, received a deputation of tho employees of various shipping industries, who complained that heavily-subsidised American shipping interests were capturing the Pacific trade from Australia, and New Zealand and British shipowners. Reference was made to serious inroads made by the Matson liners. The deputation urged that Australia and New Zealand should introduce retaliatory legislation. Mr. Cunningham replied that the Federal Government took a serious view of this matter, which was now being thoroughly investigated. SHIPPING DISPUTE. SYDNEY, November 13. The Maunganui sailed at 5 p.m. for Wellington. The Koranui’s crew remained loyal, and the vessel sailed for Newcastle, where it is believed an attempt will be made to prevent the maritime unions from working cargo or coal. SYDNEY, November 14. The Seamen’s Union decided to allow members to engage at the ship’s side, instead of at a "central pick-up place. The militants however, secured a decision penalising the crew of the Manunda, by ordering them to stand down for six months, for taking the ship to. sea in defiance of the rank and file and the strike committee.