AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18612, 21 July 1922, Page 6

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

COMMUNITY SINGING. Pjm* A*sod*tioii—By Telegraph—Copyright SYDNEY, July 20. Community ringing has started in two city chinches. Though it is not being attended with the success which was attained in New Zealand and elsewhere, its popularity is growing. PARLIAMENTARY LIQUOR BAR. SYDNEY, July 20. In the Assembly, replying to a question regarding the Parliamentary liquor bar, the Speaker said the amount of liquor consumed there was very small indeed. Two hundred and fifty persons had the privilege of the nse of r the refreshment room, and the amount spent weekly was less than 2s per man over'the whole Parliamentary period. WIRELESS AGREEMENT. MELBOURNE, July 20. In the House of Representatives, Mr Hughes explained the Government’s attitude towards the wireless agreement. He replied to Dr Earle Page’s criticism by quoting the latter’s speech last session, when the Country leader eulogised the project. Mr Watt suggested that the dispute could be adjusted bv negotiation, which is interpreted as a warning to the Government to avoid the danger of defeat on the floor of the House. STATE EMPLOYEES’ SALARIES. BRISBANE, July 20. The full Bench of the Arbitration Court reduced the salaries of State employees by £lO per annum. It was pointed out that wages were-reduced last March by 5.9 per cent., whilst the cost of living, according to Mr Knibbs (Commonwealth Statistician) dropped by 11.8 per cent. REDUCING PRODUCTION. UNION SECRETARIES’ SCHEME CONDEMNED, SYDNEY, July 20. Sir George Fuller condemned the union secretaries’ scheme for reducing production as one of the most outrageous over conceived by extremists. He said it was an.attempt to create discord And class hatred, and was a step towards the revolutionary objective. The Government would expect full support from all parties in suppressing such an attempt. It now transpires that the scheme emanated only from unions affiliated to the Labour Council. Several of the- nonaffiliated unions repudiated the scheme yesterday, whilst a special meeting of union secretaries directed Mr Garden to issue a statement absolving them from any complicity in the scheme. A CAREER OF CRIME. SYDNEY, July 20. (Received July 20, at 11.15 p.m.) The youths Powell and Spithill were committed for trial on charges of assault, attempting to rob, and conspiring to assault and rob. A youth who was alleged to be an accomplice, made a statement •which "implicated the two accused in a aeries of robberies at Hornsby. He said lie had embarked on a career of crime •with them, but later joined the Salvation Army and gave up crime. His reason for giving evidence was that since he had joined the Army he had declared himself ior-the truth, [The police arrested two youths, Frederick Powell and Stanley Spithill, on a charge of assault in company with intent to rob. The offence, it was stated, was committed in May _ last. Bail was refused, the police alleging that both accused were in some •way connected with the murder of Mr F C. Kemmie. The hammer, with which Kemmia was killed, has been identified as having been stolen from a laundry at Hornsby some time ago.] THE LARGS BAY. CREW OBTAINED WITHOUT DIFFICULTY. SYDNEY, July 20. ■ (Received July 20, 11.15 p.m.) The Largs Bay was rushed by unionists vhen a call was made for a crew, which Vyas secured without difficulty. Tho vessel will sail on Saturday, IRRITATION STRIKES. THE SCHEME REPUDIATED. “ SYDNEY, July 20. (Received July 20, at 11.15 p.m.) A meeting of union secretaries repudiated Mr Garden’s proposed scheme of irritation strikes and “go-slow” generally.