THE COMMONWEALTH

Timaru Herald, Volume CVII, Issue 16717, 20 December 1918, Page 7

THE COMMONWEALTH

STATE SHIPS PROFITABLE. SUBSTANTIAL PROFIT SHOWN. Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn. MELBOURNE Dec. 19. In the House of Representatives, the Hon. A. Poynton stated that the Federal ships allowed a profit on the first year ol' £986.392. THE COMMONWEALTH CAPITAL. Mr Bruce Smith K.C. (Parkes, New Soutli Wales), announced his intention to more next session that the seat of Government should be moved to Sydney for twenty years and at the end of twenty years to Melbourne. THE GRAFT CASES. Mr J. A. Jensen, in a speech lasting throe hours, traversed the Commission's report on the purchase of the Shaw wireless station. He declared that the findings were unfair, misleading and unsupported by evidence. Ho added that he was now considering on which side of the House he would sit. RELAXING THE CENSORSHIP. In the Senate, Mr G. F. Pearee stated that the censorship would be released to the same extent as in Britain and America. ANOTHER GILRUTH QUARREL. received 11.30 a.m., Dec. 19th. In the House Mr Glynn, replying to questions, stated that a serious disturbance occurred at- Port Darwin on Wednesday. A crowd gathered at Mr Gilruth's office and demanded an account of his work during the last five years, and presented certain resolutions. Mr Gilruth addressed the mob, and declined to accede to the resolutions. A melee followed in which Mr Gilnitli was knocked down. Stops were taken to maintain order. THE MOERAKI HELD UP. SYDNEY. Dec. 19. It is stated that the delay in securing a crew for iho Moeraki has boon caused by firemen demanding £1 per day. ENGINEERS' WAGES." » The Amalgamated Society of Engineers is claiming 20 per cent, in crease of wages and a 4-1 hours week. INTENSIVE BUSH FIRES. Great bush fires, causing extensive damage, are raging in ttio Munguiidi district. TRANSPORT WORKERS' FEDERATION. Rece.'ved 7.30 p.m., Dec. 19th. A Tiansport Woikers' Federation has been formed, embracing unions with a membership, of fo.rly-two thousand.