AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVIII, Issue 18408, 14 May 1920, Page 6

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

By Telegraph— Prone Association—Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.

SYDNEY. May 13. The seamen are again threatening to strike, stating that the agreement mada 'as the result of the last strike has not been adhered to by the owners. The master builders have decided to appeal to the Government to uphold the law in connection with the strike against Saturday work. A ballot among iron trades unions resulted in a majority in. favour of al forty-four hours week. A meeting of the Chamber of Commerce passed a resolution that in view of the wheat shortage, tho oxport of wheat should be stopped until the next crop was assured- _ j 'fee State Cabinet has decided to guarantee growers 7s 6d per bushel for the next wheat harvest. A satisfactory experimental flight has been made by an aeroplane using alcohol fuel.

(Received May 13, 9.50 p.m.) SYDNEY, May 13. The Methodist General Conference decided, in view of the increased cost of living, to increase supernumerary ministers’ and . ministers’ widows’ annuities by 25 per cent and the furniture grant by 50 per o»nt. MELBOURNE, May 13. The annual report of the Chamber of Manufacturers states that an organised effort is being made by the Trades Hall Council to smash the forty-eight hours week. The chamber decided to strenuously oppose any change in the existing conditions respecting the hours of work.

Giving evidence before a select committee of the House of Representatives on sea carriage, the secretary of the Commonwealth Steamship. Owners’ Association stated that the increased cosl of coal and wages since the Commonwealth requisitioned interstate ships in 1918, amounted to £1,000,000 annually. In the House of Representatives, Sir Joseph Cook stated that the expenditure on repatriation tins year would amount to £19,250,000, increasing next year to £22,000,000. Fresh loan moneys amounting to £30,000,000 would have to be raised, and the outlook was about as serious as it could he, but the financial position was sound.

In the Senate the Hon E. D- Milieu announced that tne Government would consider -whether to seek similar representation to that obtained by Canada at Washington.

LONDON, May 12 There was a large attendance of meiu* hers of the Empire Parliamentary Association at a luncheon to Mr Watt. The Government v r as represented by Lord Milner, Mr W. Long, Mr E. S. Shortt, Earl Peel, Colonel L. C. M. S. Amery, Mr Pike Pease and Sir L. Worthington Evans. Lord Milner, prosiding, proposed the health of the guest, and said that momentous events had happened since Mr Watt last visited England, when Mr Hughes was giving this country his invaluable help. Mr Watt directed the Australian effort from the otlier end. How splendid that effort was, and how much Mr Watt’s tenacious energy contributed to its success, was a matter of history. There were many reasons why Mr Watt was here now- The opportune close of the war and the Peace Conference saw the British Empire delegation dispersed. It might ho possible at an early date to have that body reassemble, but reassemble it must, in order to maintain the co-oper"'ion which was even more necessary :, i peace if Britain were to maintain her place in the world. Meanwhile they must do their best to keep tho various units in touch. More could he achieved in a few hours'round the table than in weeks by correspondence at long range. Thus it was with the liveliest satisfaction that he welcomed ■, Mr Watt’s arrival.