AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 125, 19 July 1911, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

THE LITHGOW STRIKE. Sydney, July 13. Owing to the colliery strike, practically the whole of the Lithgow ironworks are idle, excepting a lew small plants including blast furnaces, which require little coal for working. Apart from the miners 500 men are out of work. ABOLITION OF QUEUES. Sydney, July 18. The City Council decided to abolish queues, except at places where the doors arc open two hours before the commencement of an entertainment, and fixed admission charged. An alderman stated that the system amounted to blackmail. THIRSTY WESTRALIA NS. Perth, July 18. A report by the Health Department shows that the cost of alcoholic beverages last year was £8 los Od per head, an increase of los 4ld on tiie previous year. PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY. (Received 19, 8.40 a.m.) Sydney, July 19. The Presbytery discussed a scheme for the union of the Protestant churches. The discussion disclosed a considerable diversity of opinion on the scheme; the policy on the other hand, and the basis of the doctrine, was generally acceptable to the Assembly.

LOCAL OPTION. Sydney, J uly 19. A motion for leave to introduce a Bill to enable local option polls to be taken on a day other than election day was talked out. WAGES BOARD. Sydney, July 19. The Master Builders’ Association adopted a resolution strongly approving of the Wages Board system, declaring that it promoted good feeling anl achieved unexpectedly good insults. EXPERIMENTAL WIRELESS STATION. Melbourne, July 19. Father Shaw and party have gone to King Island, Bass Straits, to erect an experimental wireless station. PRICE OF WHEAT. Sydney, July 19. The price of wheat dropped halfpenny. ANOTHER GAS STRIKE. Sydney, July 19. Another gas strike is threatened owing to the decision of the chairman of the Gas Employees’ Union that certain claims submitted by the union arc not within the jurisdiction of the Board. The union asked the gas companies to confer, and the request was declined. The union threatens to strike unless a conference is granted. Lagged school boys. Sydney, July 19. Sir John Kirk, director of the Raggod School Union, is on route to Australia with the object of placing a large number of boys in employment. MAWSON’S EXPEDITION. Fremantle, July 19. The Morca has arrived from London. Dr. Mawson, who is a passenger, states that English scientific societies are very keen on Ids Antarctic expedition. He says the sura of £20,000 has been collected,, but £40,000 is wanted. Ho is somewhat disappointed at Australia’s response up to the present.