AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 22 July 1926, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

1 Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.]

GRAFT CHARGE. SYDNEY, June 21

The purchase of a number of foreign motor cars for use hv the City Council officials in preference to British ears recently led to several heated debates in th Ciiy Council, which culminated in a violent scene, in which Alderman Courtenay stated he had been informed by several Labour aidermen that, foreign ears were introduced into the City Council service because of a monetary consideration. Tliis statement evoked bitter recrimination.

The Lord Mayor, on a point of order asked Mr Courtenay to leave the Chamber, threatening otherwise to bring in the police. A violent scuffle then ensued in the passage way. and the meting adjourned.

Later the Lord Mayor slated that he asked the Town Clerk to make a full investigation of the contract. Tlio Premier, Air Lang, also stated that any request by the City Council for a Royal Commission would receive the Cabinet’s full consideration. .

STEAMERS SOLD. SYDNEY, July 21

The steamers Wniniarino and Joan Craig have been sold to a British company in China. They have sailed for Manila under new names, the Kingsing and the .Heuli respectively.

A TJSTR ALr A N REFER END A. SYDNEY, July 21

An AlLAuxtralian I.a hour Party Congress has been called by Mr AA’illis for the 7th of August in order to endeavour to secure a united -opposition of the Party to Air Bruce's industrial referenda proposals. Mr Charlton (Federal Leader) has been asked to attend. If he does so lie will bo asked to explain the attitude ho has adopted so far as regards the proposals. The New South AA’ales Executive of tlio Australian Labour Party has issued a manifesto urging the workers to vote against Air Bruce’s proposals, and in it describes the proposals as the most dastardly attempt ever made upon the libetrv of the Australian trade unions. ADELAIDE, July 21. In reply to a question in the South Australian Assembly, the Premier, Mr Gunn, stated he was going wholeheartedly to support Mr Charlton end the hitter’s attitude towards the referenda proposals. COLLIERY ENGINE MEN’S CASE. SYDNEY, July 21. General dissatisfaction is expressed in Trades Union circles with Ml Hi hides’ decision on the colliery engine men’s ease. A number of unions concerned favour ail endeavour to have Mr Hibbles removed from the Coal Tribunal by political action.