COMMONWEALTH CABLES.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 27, 2 February 1914, Page 6

COMMONWEALTH CABLES.

[By Electric Copyright I United Pbess Association.) (Received 9:30 a.m.) Sydney, February 2.

A new system of letter-telegrams has been introduced by tlje Postal Department with a minimum charge of one shilling for forty words, and halfpenny lor an additional word sent during the night. x At the office of destination the message is delivered as an ordinary letter.

Sir Maurice Fitzmaurice, after examining Cockburn Sound, harbor equipments at Fremantle and Swan River between Fremantle and Perth, says a complete report upon the naval bases cannot be submitted untiL further data is obtained. Melbourne, February 2.

Mr Xorthcote, chairman of the Commonwealth Steamship Federation, replying to Mr Hughes' criticism ol his reason for refusing the demands for higher pay, said that ' if Mr Hughes' argument were sound, it must apply not only to the shipowner but to every employer of labor throughout Australia. The pastoralist= must, irrespective of reason, provide a living wage for all those required at any time by him. If he should have an extraordinary season, the master builder must; do the same to meet the emergencies of a brisk building trade, and the bootmaker, agricultural iinplementrinaker, and every manufacturer must do likewise. Certainly the new doctrine was onr which the shipowner with a knowledge of what it means to them in the Cjrst instance, and.to the public of Australia finally, are not prepared to accept. Every penny per hour increase granted to the wharf laborers means to the Inter-State companies alone not less than £60,000 per annum. ... ,;. '■ -: £- v , ' ■"■■ -'*-■*■ Melbourne, February 1. A fire damaged the clothing factory of the Maurice Artaud Company to "the extent of £15,000. At Newcastle the demand for coal during the past few weeks has been exceptionally strong, especially for New Zealand. The holiday and insufficient appliances in handling coal is causing congestion. Some of the vessels were delayed for six days. (Received 9.-15 a.m.) Melbourne, February 2. The output of eoai ' 'for * iYictorb during 1913 totalled 593.912 tons, being an increase of 4770 over J9lL' The fctate produced.4Bo,2B3,.tons.