AUSTRALIAN PROBLEMS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 147, 24 June 1931, Page 8

AUSTRALIAN PROBLEMS

WATERSIDERS’ LICENSES. STRANGE MINISTERIAL ACTION. MELBOURNE, June 23. An extraordinary position has arisen on the waterfront. After receiving a deputation from the Federal Management Committee of the Waterside Workers’ Federation, the Assistant Minister of Transport (Mr Culley) instructed the departmental officers to suspend the issue of the licenses to waterside workers. As it was announced that licenses which expired at the end of June could be presented from yesterday onwards for renewal for a further 12 months, this order has caused great perplexity among shipowners and watersiders. Some of the workers had renewed their licenses early yesterday morning, but it is believed that these will remain valid, as the number of renewals made is less than 10 per cent, of the number of men normally employed on the water front, all of whom must possess licenses. An amazing situation has been created, and unless some further move is made by the Federal Ministry these men will only be entitled to work on the waterfront after June 30. N.S.W. SAVINGS BANK. THE CONFERENCE FAILS. MR LANG’S ATTITUDE. MELBOURNE, June 23. The conference concerning the Government Savings Bank and New South Wales interest payments failed to reach a decision, and Mr Lang would not commit himself on loan or interest questions pending a settlement of the Savings Bank position. Negotiations are proceeding between the Commonwealth Bank Board and the Commissioner of the Government .Savings Bank.