AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22099, 1 November 1933, Page 7

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

SEVERE BLOW TO CESSNOCK. MINERS RECEIVE NOTICE. SYDNEY, October 31. The mining town of Cessnock received a severe blow when 500 employees of the Aberdare Extended Colliery, one of the oldest in the Cessnock district, received notice of dismissal? THE NEW BASIC WAGE. - A MINISTER’S OPINION. ■ SYDNEY, October 31. Speaking at Randwick, the Minister of Labour and Industry (Mr Dunningham) said that he did not consider that £3 6s 6d was an adequate wage for a man with a wife and family. “The State Government has not yet reached the fortunate position when we can consider raising our own salaries,” he continued. “I hope when we do reach that position that we will be a little more considerate.”' THE TAKEAWINGEE CASE. ACCUSED SENTENCED. MELBOURNE; October 31. • A sentenqf of five years’ imprisonment with hard labour was imposed on Leo Starr for the manslaughter of his aunt, Katherine Starr. Mr Justice Wasley, in passing the sen|ence, said he deliberately withheld his verdict for a week so that he would hot be unduly influenced by the revolting circumstances of the case. Leo Starr, aged 18, a farm employee, was arrested at Wangaratta on August 2 and charged with the murder of his aunt, Katherine Starr, aged 72, who lived alone at Tarrawingee. Her head was featured in a terrible manner. MELBOURNE’S NEW PAPER. MELBOURNE, October 31. The new evening newspaper; (the Star) was issued yesterday. Approximately 250,000 copies were distributed. THREAT BY FARMERS. ' ; v.;;-'. A HOLD-UP OF WHEAT. CANBERRA, October 31.'• Direct action in the form of a hold-up of wheat throughout Australia is threatened in a unanimous resolution carried by the conference of the Australian Wheatgrowers’ Federation, representing 40,000 growers. The federation demands immediate action by the Federal Government to afford relief to growers. “ The Commonwealth Government, adopting the International Wheat Agreement, got us into, this mess. Now it must get us out of it,” said one delegate. _ - , THE GOVERNMENT’S ATTITUDE. ■ • N . CANBERRA, October 31. (Received Oct. 31, at 11.30 p.m.)

Threats by a section of Australian wheatgrowera to hold up wheat supplies unless the Government comes to their aid will not influence the Government policy, according to a statement made by the Prime Minister, (Mr J. A. Lyons) in the House of Representatives to-day. Mr Lyons added: “The'Government will deal with the position on the facts, irrespective of threats.” Mr Stewart, Minister of Commerce, later announced that the Government’s attitude would be determined when a proper estimate of the wheatgrowers’ requirements was ascertained. The Gov-' ernment at present had no intention of varying its policy to guarantee growers 3s a bushel at country sidings. Any assistance beyond that was a matter for further consideration. A conference of wheat representatives is at present being held at Canberra. ' THE POPULATION. CANBERRA, October 31.. (Received Oct. 31, at 11.15 p.m.) * Australia’s population, according to the final census count, announced to-day, is 6,630,600, of which males total 3,367,815 and females 3,262,785. The populations of the various States are: — New South Wales 2,601,104 Victoria 1,820,360 Queensland .. . • • • 947,789 South Australia .. .. 580,987 Western Australia .. 436,948 Tasmania .. .... •• 227,605 Federal Capital Territory 8,947 Northern Territory- .. 4,860