AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17696, 3 February 1921, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

THE THIRTY-HOUR WEEK.

ENDORSED BY WORKERS' UNION. Australian and N.Z. Cabla Association. CBecd- 13.S ».nU SYDNEY. Feb. 2. The conference of the Australian Workers' Union decided that in future its members shall not work more than 30 hours a week, and that there shall be no Saturday wort.

BASIC WAGE REFUSED. MR. HUGHES' THREE REASONS. MELBOURNE. Feb. 2. The Federal Prime Minister, Mr. W. M. Hughes, told a deputation that asked for the adoption of the recommendation of the Federal Basic Wage Commission, that the Cabinet had no intention of giving effect to the recommendation. In the first place the Commonwealth had no power to fix a basic wage for Australia, and could not legislate in that direction; secondly, the wealth produced would not enable the payment of the rates; thirdly, the Government disagreed with the contention that the rates applicable to married men with a family should apply to single men.

MISHAP TO LOBO POBSTEB. HOBART. Feb. 3. The Governor-General, Lord Forster, when competing in a yacht race at the Hobart Regatta, slipped and wrenched bia knee. He will be compelled to cancel his visit to Lannceston.

BRISBANE TRAMWAY COMPANY. BRISBANE. Feb. 2. Mr. E. G. Theodore. Premier of Queensland, states that the" Brisbane Tramway Company's claim for compensation is excessive, and no business can he done on that basis. He is unable to say what the next step will be. It is understood that the chant involves £3,000,000.