AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 November 1927, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(By Telegraph—Pet Press Association

QUESTION OF PIECE-WORK. SYDNEY, Nov. 19

William Myliill, secretary of the Meta! Trade Employers’ Association, giving evidence helorc the Child Endowment Commission declared there would he no necessity for the introduction of the system if the workers would agree to the adoption of piece work or pnyihent by results, to which Union leaders claimed they were opposed. Payment hy results would increase the standard of living of workers, and decrease the general c-oSt of living hy increasing productivity. |,'roni his experience in seven countries ho had no hesitation in saying that once workers tasted the fruits of payment by results they would never give it up. lie said it would be difficult to conceive a man not earning more than the basic wage on piece work. Witness contended that employees were apt to look to the Government for too much. There were many opportunities in industry for a worker to hcttei his position, hut if he knew the Government would look after his dependents if he were not earning sufficient there was a tendency for ambition to he stifled.

HOTELS AND ANZAC DAY. SYDNEY, Nov. 20. As the result of an appeal to the High Court it was decided that an hotel may he open all day in New South Wales on An/.ac Day, and that while the Governor may order the closing of hotels for a whole day he cannot order the closing for a part of a day.

SENTENCED TO DEATH. ADELAIDE, Nov. 20. William Haines, found guilty of the murder of Schmidt at Bridgewater (cabled on 13th Oct.) was sentenced to death.

ANOTHER DEATH FROM GREYCLTFFE. SYDNEY Nov. 21. Mrs Half Robinson, injured in the Tnhiti-G reycliffe collision has died in the hospital, bringing the deaths to forty-five.

M\NY MOTOR ACCIDENTS SYDNEY, Nov. !

There were a large number of motor accidents during the week-end. A together nineteen people wore injured, the majority seriously, and a man and a hoy killed.

CRIMES OF VIOLENCE. SYDNEY, Nov. 21

There were a number of crimes of violence, one of which was fatal. A man, Samuel McNally was found dead in a street at Newtown, with head injuries. Later two men were arrested and charged with murder. Two other assaults are expected to end 'fatally. SERIOUS FIRES. HOBART, Nov. 21. A fire on the premises of Charles Davis Limited, hardware merchants in Elizabeth Street, caused extensive damage. The fire raged for several hours before the firemen were able to get it under control. MELBOURNE, Nov. 21. A fire destroyed portion of Corohrooke butter factory near Corobrooke. 'the damage is £30.000. The factory was six miles from the township and not being connected with the water supply, rendered the firemen practically helpless. Insurance amounted to onlv twelve thousand sterling. ' WATERSIDERS TO STRIKE. MELBOURNE, Nov. 21.

The Management Comm it to of the Waterside Workers’ Federation decided to begin another overtime strike on the wharves at all ports in Australia. The decision, which was the result of a Conference between the Federation and Oversea Representatives Assn, to discuss new claims of watorsiders. will apply to oversea ships only, and will take effect from to-day, men refusing to work after five o’clock this afternoon. All oversea ships will lie affected, including those under foreign register, and considerable delay in the shipment of cargoes will result. No decision lias so far been reached by the Federation in regard to Inter-State shipping, hut should tl\ose vessels also he included it will he necessary for the Federation to obtain support of the Seamen’s Union and other organisations on the waterfront. As wool shipping is now at its height, shii ••

will ho greatly affected. UNEMPLOYED TN SYDNEY. SYDNEY. Nov. 21. A general commercial depression, which recently led to the closing of a number of mines and oilier concerns, or otherwise materially shortening the number of employees is seriously augmenting tile> unemployed trouble in Sydney and elsewhere. The unemployed ranks are certain to ho increased with the Christmas season and had times are. regarded assuredly ahead. .In addition to those thrown idle by the closing of works and icduction of hands at various concerns

there are about 12.090 casual unemployed registered at the seat of the Labour Bureau. The Government is taking stops' to provide relief as fains possible and already has arranged to carry out relief works of a repiodnetivo character involving an expenditure of £23,00,0. MOTOR CYCLE JUMPS FENCE. BRISBANE, Nov. 21. While racing at tho Speedway, two motor cycles touched, and both riders were thrown clear uninjured, but ono machine raced on riderless and jumped a fence into the crowd of spectators, seven of whom were iniured. ono seriously. BOATING ACCIDENT. HOBART, Nov. 21. The police discovered a sailing boat, half submerged, in Barnes Bay Bruno Island. There is no .trace of the crew _lvo Spro.de, Robert Wittison, Henry Booth, and Jack Wittison who were on a fishing expedition. It is feared that they are drowned.