AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 23 July 1924, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

CLAIMS BY MINERS. BY CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT SYDNEY, July 22. The Miners' Federation has written to the Colliery Owners’ Association in all the States asking for a conference to discuss the miners’ claims for a minimum wage of £5 10s for all shift men, whether employed on the surface or underground, and a working day of seven hours from bank to bank. WRIT FOR LIBEL. MELBOURNE, July 22. Mr Pratten * (Minister for Customs) has issued a writ claiming £IO,OOO damages for alleged libel 'from the Labour daily newspaper in Sydney. EXTENSIVE RAINS. SYDNEY, July 22. Extensive rain has fallen’ in the eastern half and in portions of the west of the State. COST OF LIVING. SYDNEY, July 22, The Board of Trade has concluded its enquiry into the cost of living, and has reserved jts decision in regard to the new basic wage. STREET BEGGING. Received Juy 23, 0.40 a,in. SYDNEY, July 23. As'a result of a request from the Returned Soldiers’ and Sailors’ League, Cabinet has decided to abolish begging in the streets by bands. PRISON STATISTICS. SYDNEY, July 23. The annual report of the Comptroller of Prisons, tabled in the Assembly, states that the number of prisoners received into gaols on convictions from the higher courts had increased from 582 in J 919 to 907 duripg 1923, and the daily average number of prisoners in 1923 was 1466. VICTORIAN POLITICS. MELBOURNE, July 23. Mr Peacock announced in the Assembly that he had been elected leader of the Opposition bv the Nationalist Party. RESUMING WORK. . MELBOURNE, July 23. Following on a conference it was decided that 600 labourers on strike at the Electricity Commissioners’ works at Yallourn resume work. SENATOR ELECTED. MELBOURNE, July 23. Mr J. F. Hannan has been elected to a vacancy in the Senate. SHIPPING. . FREMANTLE, July 23. Arrived—Orsova, from London.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. Received July 23, 9.45 a m 4 . NEWCASTLE, July 22. Arrived—Waitomo, from New Zealand.