AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Southland Times, Issue 19516, 16 May 1922, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

(By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) SYDNEY, May 15. (Received May 15, 7.15 p.m.) The Hon. T. J. Ley, Minister of Justice, dealing with the growth of Communism in the Labour movement, instanced several recent atempts to promote sectional strikes , with a view to involving other unions. ■ Only when they found the weight of public 1 opinion against them were the attempts i abandoned, but they were still being engineered in ©Cher directions. He emphasised the serious possibility of widespread trouble, and urged the workers to assert themselves and not allow themselves to be Led like sheep to the slaughter by imported extremists. who could not exist except by causing strife jflid disunion. On the other hand the Government is being criticised both by members inside its own party and by outsiders for its delay in dealing with the increasing unemployed difficulty. The new baste wage adds complications, as, if the Government gazettes it it will mean that the satenies of public servants will be reduced 7/- a week. Opponents, particularly the Labourites, are utilising these factors to support the contention that the Government’s policy aims at a general reduction of wages and lengthening of hours of labour. This is strenuously refuted by members of the Cabinet, who point out that the Government has nothing whatever to do with reduction of wages, which is the function of the courts. The escape of two French prisoners from the El Kantara while coaling at Newcastle is mysterious. They disappeared during the night, though they were apparently securely confined 4 with a guard over them. The steamer departed for New Caledonia. Subsequently the two escapees were captured on board a ship which was scheduled to leave Newcastle for Durban to-day. Mr Sheaf, Australian Trade Commissioner in the East, outlined a comprehensive scheme providing for Australia securing trade with the East. The scheme provides for the furnishing of Australian exporters with lists of goods most in demand, and countries from which they are now supplied. On the propaganda side it provides for the establishment of showrooms in all the main strategic centres of trade. The Cockle Creek roasters and smelters have closed down owing to lack of ore, mainly due to the decreased output of the central mines at Broken Hill (Received May 15, 9.5 p.m.) A cyclonic disturbance is seriously hampering shipping. A number if vessels are eagerly making for the nearest ports. The cyclone is passing north, and normal conditions are expected on Tuesday. « HOBART, May 15. A fire destroyed Crisp and Gunn’s timber yard. The damage amounts to £25,000.