SHADOW OF STRIKES

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 142, 6 September 1927, Page 13

SHADOW OF STRIKES

I THE sr.vs SYDKEY J.ETTER

HENRY LAWSON MOCKED WRITER WHO STROVE FOR FREEDOM The SUN'S Sydney Cot respondent SYDNEY, September 2. To-day the shadow of industrial un- : rest hangs over this land, with strikes ;in full swing or just settled or breakI ing out, as ugly sidelights on the life |of Australia. And to-day is the anniversary of the death of the one writer above all other Australian writers, who strove by his pen to remove the disabilities of the people and make Australia truly free. When Henry Lawson wrote such lines as, "The poor of the city have friends in woe no matter how much they lack, but only God and the swagmen know how the poor men fare outback,” he little dreamed how soon the pendulum would have swung the otherway and the people for whom his heart bled would become the arbiters of the fate of: Australia. With the great Queensland trouble growing blacker every day, all seriousminded people are beginning to wonder where it will all end. The little group of loyal admirers at Law'son’s graveside to-day will have long, long thoughts. The Big Bridge Held Up A strike which has been well in the limelight along the waterside was that of the boilermakers on the Sydney Harbour Bridge who struck for 3Us a week "height money.” But the rivetters are busy again to-day and the cranes are swinging girders into position as usual. The men have agreed to resume pending a settlement of their claims, which doubtless means they will get most of What they asked for. The high elevation at which they will work on the great arch, especially in winter, was expected to be worth some extra pay to the workmen. It was not expected, however, that they would ask for it before the structure was pushed out beyond the shore-lines; and for the trouble to come to a head on the eve of an election seems an unkind action toward Mr. Lang, the Premier, who has just about promised the workers everything they are ever likely to demand. Another Lone Sailer Another lonely sailing vessel, the fourth to win her way from the Pacific Coast to Australia in the past six weeks, was towed into port yesterday. This time she was a schooner, the Fort Laramie, fore and aft rigged on all of her six masts, and with, one squaresail on the fore. It is a tribute to the womanhood of America that on every one of the ships referred to, the captain’s wife has accompanied him. Mrs. Elneff, of the Fort Laramie, has sailed with her husband for seven years in various ships to various lands, all in the Pacific, and she can take a philosophic view of even the ceaseless head winds which beset the Fort Laramie from the Tongas to Sydney till the voyage from Aberdeen, Washington, stretched out to 98 days. A radio set, with which she picked up Sydney stations 1,500 miles away, helped to make the dreary voyage brighter for all hands, and in the tropics there was good fishing. Wool And the Future The wool sales started in Sydney this week, and the prices are making everyone feel better, for with the Russians buying heavily and more demand from the United States than prevailed last year, the outlook is better than many expected, since the dry weather has held sway over New South Wales so many months and Queensland so many years. If rain comes soon in good falls, Australia will smile again from end to end, and the tin hares courses will flourish. If the drought continues its effect will be seen in next year’s wool, while the wheat crops will be light. The one bright spot is the rabbit fur trade, which is growing prodigously, and is unaffected by drought. The Russian buyers of wool are operating througn agents since the British Government forbade them to buy wool in England. But they are getting Australian wool just the same. Sydney City Council The determined assaults of the "Evening News” on the methods of the City Council are having an effect, in regard to the politics of Labour candidates for Parliament, and Nationalists, too. In fact, it almost seems that the "News” has put up such a fine hare that the hunters on both sides are rallying to the chase. Planks are apparently scarce with which to build platforms for either side, and any suggestions are gratefully accepted. Possibly never in history has a Labour Party gone to the polls in such an unfavourable atmosphere politically. Every crime in the Labour decalogue is being shown up by both sides, in the way of exposures by the Nationalists and strikes by the Labourites, and it will be a miracle if there is a Labour majority. The miracle, however, is possible, since the other side has so little to offer as a counter attraction. No doubt the City Council will have to watch its step in any case. New Customs Regulations On January 1, new Customs regulations regarding passengers’ baggage will come into effect. At present passengers are expected to honestly declare any contraband or dutiable goods they may have in their boxes. If they are caught smuggling, the goods are confiscated and a fine imposed. In future, each passenger will be compelled to sign a declaration setting out what dutiable goods he or she has. If, after making this declaration, anything liable to duty is found, the passenger will be guilty of an indictable offence, to wit, making a false declaration. In this way it is hoped to check the smuggling which has been going on in a mild way, of furs and other apparel, as well as jewellery, drugs and other goods. This regulation will place Australian practice in line with that of the United States. WILL LAWSON.