AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 December 1923, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

BIG JEWEL ROBBERY. By Telegraph—Press Assn.—CopyrightMelbourne, Dec. 21. Antonio Zetto, charged with the robbery of jewels at Rose Bay (Sydney), Was remanded till December 28. Two thousands pounds worth of jewellery has so far been recovered. MORE RAIN REPORTED. Sydney, Dec. 21. Rain is reported in the northern parts of the State and the north coast districts. COKE WORKERS TO STRIKE. Sydney, Dec. 21. Owing to the employers refusing to reduce the working week from 48 to 40 hours, the coke workers throughout the State intimated they would cease work on the 31st. LETTERGRAM SERVICE. Melbourne, Dec. 21. The Postmaster-General has decided to extend the lettergram service, which is at present confined to strictly social messagec, to commercial messages. EMPLOYEES’ REQUESTS. Sydney, Dec. 22. Representatives of the coke owners explain that the employee.?’ request amounts to a reduction of five hours weekly, as the 48-hour week did not inI elude meal hours, but the 43-hour week | includes a half hour daily for mealeOwing to the employers refusing to reduce the working week from 48 to 46 hour*-, the coke workers-throughout the State intimated they would cease work on the 31st. ATTACKED BY CANNIBALS. Thursday Island. Dec. 22. George Penrose and two natives were murdered by members of an unknown tribe at the Diggel River, Dutch New Guinea. Penrose was asleep in camp when he was attacked. Two natives were eaten and seven others were wounded, but escaped. SCHOONER BURNT. Sydney, Dec. 22. The Braeeide, a sister ship to the j Burnside, both wooden schooners built during the war by the Commonwealth I < Government, was taken outside the i heads and burnt. The Burnside wa? : never launched; she was reduced to ' ashes at her moorings last September. WOMEN’S WAGES. Melbourne, Dec. 22. The Public Service Arbitration Board refused to increase the wages of women to the level of men notwithstanding that they may be doing similar work, contending that men are entitled to higher rates as a consequence of .the fact that they are maintaining families. MONOPOLIES BILL ! Sydney, Dee. 22. In the Legislative Council, replying to strong opposition to the ‘Monopolies Bill, which aims at checking alleged profiteering and which its opponents variously describe as fantastic, dangerous, or iniquitous, Sir Joseph Carruthers claimed that various combines were at work, instancing building material and wire netting, resulting in the Government and people having to pay prohibitive prices. The Bill passed the final stages by 27 votes to 20. Melbourne, Dee. 21. Antonio Zetto, charged with the robbery of jewels at Rose Bay (Sydney), was remanded till December 28. Two thousand pounds’ worth of jewellery has so far been recovered. The Postmaster-General has decided to extend the lettergram service, which is at present confined to strictly social messages, to commercial messages. Sydney, Dec. 21. Rain is reported in the northern parts of the State and the north coast districts.