Commonwealth Cables

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 85, 15 August 1923, Page 6

Commonwealth Cables

Press Association—Copyright. (Received ,11.25 a.m.) Sydney, August 15. In the Assembly the report of Railway Commissioners was tabled. It states that the railways for the year show a surplus of £98,590. The censure debate was continued. Tito Fanners' Conference passed a resolution in favour of the formation of new States, and defeating the motion for the formation of a compulsory wheat pool. A. motion urging the Government to review the tariff in orler to provide free entry for, British-made wire netting and agricultural machinery, and to reduce the tariff, on foreign articles, was; carried.

The annual conference of the Employers'- Federation of Australia has opened, representatives all ths, States except Tasmania, present. Mr Fairburn, in his presidential address, said that since last meeting many difficult problems confronting the- employers 'ttfere still unsettled. Strikes and job-control were still as prevalent as ever, but a hopeful sign was that the moderate employees seemed at last to be tiring of being led by extremists. He favoured a conference between employers and employees to settle industrial disputes. After condemning a resolution by the Premiers' Conference favouring an amendment to the Constitution extending the Commonwealth's industrial power to industrial conditions generally, he added that a.t present, instead of becoming a race of workers we were becoming a race of bush lawyers, and proceeded to advocate an Unemployment Insurance Act on the lines of the British Act as a.remedy for. unemployment. Mr Fairbairn concluded by condemning preference voting, which he stated was all in favour of Labor, and if used at:the next elections would result in Labor Ministers again being in power.

Melbourne, August 15. The House of Representatives read a first time an amending postal bill, providing for a general reduction in postal rates, including the introduction of \\ postage on letters. During the debate on the amending War Service Homes- Bill Mr Stewart said a. former Minister in charge of that Department left it in a state of chaos. He added that the loss to June, 1522,-amounted to, £1,628,896. The total amount expended was £17,22-0,907,, and the amount owing to the Commission £13,0i0,00t). .. The Ministry received its first setback, being defeated, in committee oh the, Advances to Settlers Hill, providing for the supply of wire netting to settlers throughout the Commonwealth, the voting being 23 to 23! ;.; Brisbane, August 15. r In the Assembly, during the debate on a Bill atitlio.isii-o- redemption- or conversion of vJovernment loans, and the issue and creation of Government stock, or inscribed stockfor such purposes, the Treasurer stated that the loans falling dueshortly totalled twenty-five millions.