AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22830, 14 March 1936, Page 13

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

HEAT WAVE IN VICTORIA BUSH FIRES DESTROY HOUSES MELBOURNE, March 13. For the fifth successive day the temperature in Melbourne exceeded 90deg. Bush fires continue to rage in the Dandenong Ranges. Ten more homes have been destroyed. MINE TO BE REOPENED SYDNEY, March 12. The Broken Hill Proprietary Company has announced that the Proprietary mine, which has' been closed since June, 1930, will be reopened next Monday. About 300 men will be employed. GRANTS TO WHEATGROWERS CANBERRA, March 12. The Federal Minister of Commerce (Mr H. V. Thorby) announced to-night that the Government was providing assistance to wheatgrowers in the form of grants amounting to £1,878,906. UNION DEREGISTERED SYDNEY, March 13. (Received March 13, at 11 p.m.) The Industrial Commission to-day cancelled the registration of the New South Wales division of the Federated Ironworkers' Association of Australia, arising out of the strike at Port Kembla Iron and Steel Works. The commission, however, directed that 14 days grace should be allowed the union to reflect upon its attitude of defiance of the court. The commission,, in the course of its judgment, and reviewing the history of the Port Kembla dispute, pointed out that as the men's award contained no provision for prohibiting or restricting overtime, but, on the contrary, contemplated overtime with extra payment, as well as protective provisions for the employees, it was obvious that the proper course for the union to have taken on behalf of its members was to have sought a variation of its award with regard to the subject matter of the dispute, which concerned the working of overtime at the 36-inch rolling mill. A mass meeting of unionists will be held to-night to consider the commission's deregistration order. CHARGES AGAINST POLICE SYDNEY, March 13. (Received March 13, at 11 p.m.) When the Royal Commissioner (Mr Justice Markell) opened the inquiry into the charges against police concerning betting raids and prosecutions there was no appearance of the members of Parliament who made the charges. Mr Justice Markell said that as the charges were of the gravest character and the greatest public interest, he undertook to send personal notification to each parliamentarian of the next sitting of the commission and, in additon, would suggest to the Government the desirability of providing legal assistance for them. The commission adjourned until Monday. THE MASCOT OUTRAGE SYDNEY, March 13. » (Received March 14, at 1 a.m.) Norman Stanley Smith, aged 25, was to-day, at the Criminal Court, sentenced to 12 years' imprisonment for maliciously "wounding v Joseph Wignall at Mascot on December 31, when the latter was twice shot in the head during a struggle with Smith, who was infatuated with Wignall's daughter. COST OF OVERSEAS DELEGATIONS CANBERRA, March 13. (Received March 14, at 0.30 a.m.) The cost of overseas trips by Government delegations since December, 1931, was £45,108, the Prime Minister informed a questioner in the House of Representatives to-day. Mr Latham's goodwill mission to Japan in 1934 cost £5038, the Ottawa Conference in 1932 cost £6326, and the Disarmament Conference in the same year £0532. MANDATED LANDS CANBERRA, March 13. (Received March 14, at I a.m.) "It is unthinkable that Australia should even consider handing over any territory," said the Leader of the Government in the Senate, Sir George Pearce, to-day in the course of a statement on mandated lands. Referring specifically to New Guinea, Sir George Pearce said that, by virtue of its geographical position, its natural harbours, and its facilities for naval and military aircraft, it was of considerable stragetic value to Australia so long as the existing form of control and administration obtained. BRITISH AIR MAIL LATE SYDNEY, March 13. (Received March 14, at 0.30 a.m.) The incoming British air mail is 24 hours late, and will not arrive in Sydney until to-morrow. Consequently it missed the Monowai for New Zealand to-day.