'j j.i Vj AUK. WEDNESDAY. FEBRUARY 25. 1931. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.
SLANDER ACTION. WHARF LABOR. THE TARIFF. A TAXATION APPEAL, DIVIDEND DUTIES ACT. Vest Australian the meeting of the Parliamentary Labor ai i'Hiliautcnt House to undcitaUc ih? Uiik of ptoietinj caiiibt the ejection of the men wim had so nriopjiitly sought to lueak the regulations, and to how little claim they hud for Government toilsidcration by refusing to A HIT-AND-RUN DRJVER.
P.M. Favcrcd Imprisonment. Overruled by Two Woman Justices. SUSTENANCE QUESTION. LABOR PROPOSALS.
Allowance to be Increased. WORK THROUGH MUNICIPAL COUNCILS. Bubatantirlly increased sustenance allowances to the unemployed and the provi WHEAT HARVEST. THE OFFICIAL ESTIMATE. YIELD OF 205,000,000 BUSHELS.
In the quartcrl) summary of Australian statist i'-'B ior December, 1U31, issued yesterday, tho Commonwealth Statistician said the estimated urea under nil crops in Australia for 102U-30 was acres, as comKircd with acros for KttS-29. The acreage sown to wheat in lOVO-0 bIiows slirlit increase, the yield Iveing 120,423,773 bushels, compared with buikels in 1M3-20. Tiie respective avercgo yields per acre were 8.4S bushels and 10.70 bushels. Preliminary figures for the 1930-31 season indicated an area of 18,107,000 acres sown to wheat, with a pvobable yield of 203,000,000 bushels. Tho estimated quantity of buttcv prodticed ill tbo year lUiKKJO 207,000.000 compared with 200,000,000 lb.
in the previous year. The value of the total mineral production for 1020 was 18,000,000, and for the preceding year 10,300,003. The production of wool during tho 1028-20 season was 003,132,035 tiie record production to date, and the estimate for 1020-30 is OlO.OTW.OOO. Customs and excise revenue for the six mouths i nded 31st December, amounting to was J.i,(-lij.l lew than the figure for the corro'pjiutin- period of the previous year. For the quarter ended 3If-t December, 1030, ilto vnluo ol imports finer.
miKi'sc uiuj i r.mounicd to ilK.O..&Sl (iJeeember qua tor, 1H2U. l-J. itilc tli oxixirts of incrchaudh'c was and oi bnliiuu and specie, 040,327 The Commonwealth public debt at slu*t Det-cmbcr, mil), was ui wbicn 5j1.707.i4.') was redeemable Tin: consolidated ltveime of the sevoiitl States for 1020-30 amounted to (1 17 per head while tha cxpendiuirc irom revenue was 123,033.3.1 (10 14 per head i. The exniMiditure from the loan funds of the several States during 1920-30 wns f3 108 per headj, while the aggregate loan exnendituro of all at 30th June. 1030.
wns ihe liabilities of cheque paying banks at 31st December, 1030, Were while their onsets amounted to 407.000,000. At 30th September, 1030, 5,137,178 Savings flank accounts wcro open, in which the deposits amounted to 210,000.000, representing averaged of 40 174 per account and 32 1074 per inhabitant. Statistics of unemployment compiled from returns from 39J unions, with a member ship of 447,822, showed that for the quarter ended 31st December, 1030, 104,931 (23.4 per cent.) were unemployed. The percent nee of unemnlovment nmonc mem bers of unions reporting for the previous quarter was 20.3. Figures for the quai ter ended 30th September, 1930, show that 33 new imlustnnl disputes were recorded, involving 11.203 workers.
Tiie working days lost in all dispute duriug tho quartor numbered ana the loss in wage amounted to 12J.4jo. WHISKY PRICES. DISUNITY IN THE HOTEL TRADE. Some Light on the Position. Mr, T.
It. Campbell, managing director of the Lnited Distillers l'ty. when questioned yesterday as to tho cause of the present agitation and disunity in the hotel trade with jogard to the retail prices to be charged for whisky, said he understood there was a certain amount of conflict of opinion in the trade in relation tu this matter. This he much regretted, especially us it had apparently arisen from the offer recently made by distillers and wholesale merchants to so reduce prices to the retail trade as to enable them to make much needed reductions in the retail prices charged to the public. "In these days." said Air.
Camnbcll. "anyone who lias anything to sell must urniK iiih iji utc 10 cue tevoi wnicn wuu-in the capacity of the consuming public pnv, or cine go otic oi misniess. I'oltowiua unon action taken bv the Go vernment of Victoria in December last to sanction reduction in the stucnu*th of whiwky, Mr. Camnbcll continued, distillers and the wholesale trade of Victoria un animously agreed to offer such reductions in the wholesale urine of whisky, both imported ami Australian, as would enable the 'retail trade to soil tlmso whiskies to the nnhlio at nriees in keeninu with cur tailed spending power namely, Od. for impoitcu aim oil.
ior Australian whiFky, with binall additional charge if aerated waters were asked for. The public in Sydney had had the benefit of these prices since the beginning of the year. Why, ho asked, should Melbourne pay higher retail prices when wholesale prices arc tho same in both States it is n. notable tact, he continued, "that leading city hotelkecpeiK of ilcl-boiiruc favor this scale of clmrirf. In- deed, they have put it intp force for the past three weeks, and if the results be any guido the unucos.sion has been appreciated by their customers, and at the same time has been profitable for themselves.
Unfortunately, however, fur some reason wnicn is bct known to themselves, a section of the hotel keeper in the metropolitan nreo is adhering to a higher scale of charges, which seems to have been dictated to them bv their official organisation. Why should this be no ciuicly the trade in whisky is a pro-fitalde part of the hot el keeper's business It should therefore be to his benefit to secure the increased turnover which he is entitled to exnect if he in aIiIa in pass on to the public tho maximum concession in price which is afforded to him by tho wholesale trade. If these high charges be persisted in, Melbourne Will bo At fliKiulvnntnrm compared with tho siBter r-pital. Why tins should De so in city that has always led the way in lower prices and economicr a mystery, and the blame for it cannot be laid nt tbo ilnnr nf tlio the wholesale trade, whose aim is to pro- viuo tno public with'thcir favorite branch of whisky of quality and proved reputation at prices which are within the reach of the man in the street. in no uiiiicmt eireuntetanees that ob-tain at present, the lnt wont mW Ml is with the public, and it should insist on getting the brands it prefers at the POULTRY PLAGUE.
Traders Urge Modified Embargo. Minister Refuses Concessions. IteproHcntativoi of the poultry trade waited on the Aictant Minister of Agri-culturj yesterday to urge a modiiicatiou of tho restrictions imposed on poultry in Victoria, as a result of the outbreak of the Xewenstlo disease. The Director ot Agriculturo (Dr. Cameron) and tho Chid Veterinary Iith-pcclor (Mr.
Kendall! wero also present. Mr. 11. Uray, M.L..A., introduced tin; deputation, which abked if the (Jovcru-ment win prepared to grout llum some, alleviation of the embargo now in force. They hoped the (Jotvrnment would continue the restrictions as far ns the ulfecleo arena wcro converued, but contended that the embargo on farms known by tiie olli-(crt ot tho department to bo healthy aim tree Irom the disease should bo lilted, so that thev would be givtn abuhit'i freedom of trade.
They wuie opposed to the feeding nt ref*cku from hospitals, hotels. Ac. to fowls, owing tu tiie grave danger ol infection oi sense, and hoped for soiiiu Icuialatiou in tliis respect. Mr. Pollard, in reply, mi id tho (iovern-mcnt was fully awaro of tho position ot the imhnrtry.
flo was constantly in touch with th experts in charge, and everything possiblo was being done to 1 ghten the burden placed on thotu. But at the prevent time, considering nil tho circ*mstances, nu further cuiiucssiou was deeiuci ndvipablc. Ha had called for a coiupri heusive report of tho whole history ot ths plaoue, and had aMo conferred with Dr. AlbUtnn, nf the Melbourne University. After this report wns lurimlnd h- would then be in a better position to exploit iuw avenues, whereby further relict could stTordcd tlm industry.
II w4 prcpartd to' nirun for a eonfercueo hi-twci'it thi departmental officers in charga of tha difoase. and not mure than throe members of tha poultry trade, to discus further wavs and moans of meeting Urn present trouble. TKE PUBLIC DEFRAUDED. Health Minister's Views. letter na iwclvcd by Fitroy coim-nil on niuht from tho Public Health dcpai tmont tuuftaliiiK Hint notion tnken to ensute eolicet wcib'ht being jjiveli to inirelmsers of fooil.
Cr. Beckett of Health), in misine tho council to tnlio action, said treat tcniplations fsisteil iluriufe tho tiniea of depiessiou to defraud customers. Some municipal oilicer, were backward iu aetiou prominent thopkeepere, who found their trade going to pieces a the result cf others iniderci tting. nnd then dcfrandni: customers by eiviiiK ligbt weight. There uer more prosecutions in l'reston thau in nny other iminkipolity.
All purchasers of food and other household tods should bo protected. cuniplaiutB bad bcou rcceiveil from purchasers of small quantities of firewood. Wood ihoidd bo sold by itt proper weight, and complaints of fluirtuce should be tested by their in- "When Yankee notions oi wcibIiii nn-ehiues eau.e on scene, r. lieckett added, 'it wns tho ipmlinoas ol the hand that deceived the eye. Scales were in proper order, but purchasers, in many in-stances.
not got the proper weight. Cr. Chandler snid tho Weijlits and ilea-mica Union was iloinu very uod work, and ho lid not thiuk sneli a Jjrcat amount of swii dliun was "inc, on. r. Jenkins said lie knew Cr.
Beckett vcre on linOH. An soon an a ptiri'lurar left a fliop he had no re-iIi-sm. Ho liopcd tlis lorn I inspector would lio Insliiicted to sco that purchasers rc- O. Bfirr said'pr'ent difScully arose oyer tile imvciiaso lire" oou, as uitnb mirfit happen r.flcr the load left the 'J'he council agreed to suagcstion by Cr. a'Deekett that ihe locnl inspector woiii in conjiiuetion with the Wek'hln and Measures Union in preventing customers Irom hcinii defrauded.
BRIGHTON COUNCIL. "Ugly Innuendoes." Criticism of Mayor Resented At Brighton council meeting on Monday night Cr. Tracer quoted a letter published in the local paper under the head ing, "To Whke washing," dealing with the discussion which took place at the previous meeting in connection with allega tions mndc against officials of the outdoor staff. At the cud of the letter, which adversely criticised the remarks of the mayor, appeared the words, Is tne mayor aware of the many rumors regarding high ollicials Is there any truth in them The letter was signed by Thomas Mcl'her- foii, and if he wns identical with a gentleman who once sat in the council, his no tion in attacking officers who had no chnncc of replying was most uncharitable nnd unworthy of nny reputable citizen. He moved, that the writer of tho letter be requested to inform the council what charges, any, he could matte against any of the council's otliccts.
Cr. Hedaimle seconded the motion. The Mayor (Cr. Horton) said he had rend the letter, hut the criticism of himself did not worry him. When a man went further, however, and began to handle the treacherous topic of a rumor he should ask himself whether it wns uorthy of him.
Personally he did not think any good would result from tnking too much notice ot tho letter, especially when the writer was afraid to come forward and state what the charges were. He regarded it as so much humbug. Cr. Satchwell: There is nothing to prevent anv man writinc to the Dross. Cr.
Pullman thought the motion should be withdrawn. The mayor had effectively answered the letter from the choir. Cr. Kennedy said he was prepared to move a vote ot confluence in the stnn. C.v- Trpitov: nm not nrenared to ol Iniv kiipIi accusation to n.tss without due inouiry.
The matter should be bronnht to a head, When such ugly innuendoes are afloat the council slioulrt throw down tlm n.iuntlet to these neonle. Ci. Satcliwell: Let us have a royal com niiFSinn. fV Trpnrnv! I'm not to be bluffed by talk of commissiona. If any councillor has a complaint to make let him matte it.
Tho nuitinn wns carried. In a personal explanation, Cr. Grant snid a case ho had mentioned referred to an assistant town clerk, and not nn act ing town clerk. Tho only acting town clerk they had had was Mr. Ferguson, vrhn had performed his duties in an exem plary manner.
A BEACH CARNIVAL. Raided by Police. Stallholder Fined 20. 1'ItAXKSTOJC. Tuesday.
At Frankslon police court to-day, before Mr. T. B. Wade, P.M., and Mr. C.
Grant. J.P., Keciuald Ferguson, of Dell-road, ranks- ton, was fined 20, with 4 costs, on 8 chm-ee of unlawfully UBing a stall situated in the carnival grounds on the foreshore at Frankston for the purposo of betting on 0th January. Constable Fawkncr said that in com pany with other police, he visited tho Frnnkston beach carnival nt the amusem*nt park on the Frankston foreshore on 0th Januaiy, and took part in various games ot chance that were oeing con-iIikIimI. Drfpiulnnt was game known ns "squntto," in which prices were displayed and odds were called. Mr.
Prcmlergast, who appeared for the defence, said that defendant was morally innocent. Ferguson given his service,) voluntarily, and the profits of the carnival were uwd entirely to relieve district unemployment by providing public woiks on the local foreshore. No one made any profit out of the carnival, which was conducted by district returncu assisted by voluntary workers. A stav of one month wns crantcd bv tho bench, tho magistrate remarking that he had no option hut to lino ucteiKiant tho minimum penalty. Several district returned soldiers were fined for offences under the Gaming Act in connection with the carnival.
The offenders, who pleaded guilty, had given (heir services freo to help tho carnival, lames Smith, llartnim Walter Higgins, Keith licit len and Norman Howo were each fined 1. Tho bench ordered that tho instruments seized by the polico at me carnival ne cnnnaeaien. SAFETY WITH BOILERS. Standards Association's Code The Standards Association of Australia has completed coda of uniform safety rules for tha control of steam boilers and pressure vcskcIs. The cod is divided into four parts.
Part general conditions, covers general standard rules, materials of construction, plnnt installation, anpnrlcnancofl nnd nc-ccsMirios, fittings, pipes and piping, and tcaline. Part contains si tec in I rules dealing with power locomotive noiieifl (ur railway purpoticH, enst iron boilers, automatic, semi-automatic and miscellaneous boilers nnd uufircd pressure vessels. Part HI. deals with matters pertaining to siijioi vision and Inspection, and Part 1 with operation. Appendices cover the rnting of boilers, ami welding, an applied to boiler and uilllrcd pressure vessels.
The nsiiociatioii, iu kneping with its practice, hint made nrrnngemcnts for the revision of the code from timo to time to keep it abreast of the industries concerned. Meanwhile, however, to givn service to ufcis of the code, and to deal with matters requiring immediate attention nnd interpretation, a t-tiinding inter-metatfnii nnd revision coiunifttro hn been The rmftr has already born adopted tho standard of design fit (jiiernsl.uid, and has been rnctterl hi connection with the 1031 amendments of that State's Inspw. I ion of Machinery Art, It is being utilised by New South Wales Government department and others. Copies of the code are available nt the offices of the Standards' Association of Australia at, 10 per copy. DOCTOR SUES PRIEST.
NO EVIDENCE CALLED FOR DEFENCE. SVDXKV. Tuesday the Supreme Court to-day tho hearing was resumed of the case in which Dr. Hewwurd Irfighton est even, of Bultadclah, is Biniig He v. rather John Patrick Kelly U.
recover jL'JOOO damases for olleged JiM and lander. 'Tiie matters complained of wero chiefly contained in Utters aid to have been written by lather Kelty to one oi his female parishioners warning her against Dr. Kestevcn. Defendant hied pleas of not guilty and a denial of tho allocations. Continuing hi3 cross-examination of Dr.
Kjestcvcn. Mr. Curtis, Iv.C, for tbo defence, asked if it were not true that when plaintiff discovered that the girl Gladys Richardson had ucceived him regarding her condition, be exclaimed that murder hud been committed Dr. Kestevcn said did say that, but he meant that the blame for it rated upon tho girl hen-elf. He (plaintiff) was innocent of nny design in the mat lei, and vos the unsuspecting instrument v.hi.h brought it about.
Mr. Curtis asked plaintiff if ha had front! to tUc. Nis-hnn ol the diocese for the puriKJiC of getting rather Kelly removed. IMaiiitiii said he did alter tho receipt of the letters by Mrs. Iliikcy.
John liarry, a farmer, snid ho was at mass when at her Kelly mane remai ns 'about Dr. Kofiteven. Outsido the church ho toht Father Kelly that ho should apologise for what ho had paid, and leather Kellv renlied that he would not apologise, as ho was in the right. lio itlt'o said thnt ho knew as much about such matters as tho doctor did, as it was part ol bis education. Dr.
Kestevcn, recalled, said that since his quarrel with Father Kelly ho hod lost .10 or 53 of his Jioinan Catholic paticuis. There was a falling olf in his income, which was 703 lor ltrau, and JlWM lor tho previous year If attributed the fall-ina olf to tho influence of Father Kelly. His practice hud depreciated to such an extent that he was now uuablc to dispose of it. Kthclinc Maud Hickcy, wife of James JlicRey, ot Lrawtord, near tiiinaueiaii, said she received two letters from Father Kelly. The first was dated 3rd Decem ber, 1U20.
Suuseqncntly she had an inter view with Father Kelly at the nrcsbytcry and he spoke to her about her having given the Jotters to JJr. ivcstevcn. rle said the letters were only bluff. She said she was sorry, but she thought she did richt. Mr.
Curtis said he had no evidence to call. Counsel's addresses wero then entered upon. MURDER AND SUICIDE. What Was the Motive A Coroner Nonplussed. SYDXKY, Tuesday.
The coroner at Ptrramatta to-day inquired into the circ*mstances surrounding the deaths of George Kdwin Mitchell, 25 years, and his wife, Kathleen oculist Mitchell, 22 years. Mitchell died on 2nd February from bullet wound in his brain, and his wiffi died shortly afterwards from a similar cause. Kv Hence was niven that follow ina petty argument in the home. Mitchell picked up a revolver and shot his wife ami men snot mmfeii. The coroner said he was nonplussed why Mitchell should have acted ns he did.
He and his wife got on well together, and seemed to have no bickerings. lie thought there most be something behind it nil. He found that Mrs. Mitchell died from bullet wounds inflicted by her husband, who (tied from a bullet wound self-inflicted. DUTY ON SHEEP SKINS.
Graziers Ask for Rescission, Sheep breeders, stock agents, master butchers and brokers held a meeting during the luncheon interval nt tho Newmar ket sale yards yesterday to discuss thn position arising from the export duty of O'-id. per lb. on sheep skins. Mi. G.
D. Kellv. president of tho Vic torian Graziers' Association, said that ns a lesiilt of the duty sales of sheep skins and of all live sheen had been seriously affected. Stations, stores and dumps were congested, and many sheep raisers were burning their skins or lotting them roti while a large section of men had been thrown out ot employment, no movcu That tliis assembly ot sheep brrmlow, graziers, slock meal cxporterj, master bulc-lure, wllitift Lmkors and slipeH o'tors rtrongly iimuorts tho uiofpst nude liy the HraMcrt' Aw nation apiiiul the unjuxt mid harmful c.rt dniv on srfi-)i fkiiiF, and nenivcit 10 mitm imi inct thnt owiitc to Rich duty tho country is wif- fi-rinfr heavy thnaiKli depreciation of tliwp and flieep 'skn iradi' it hang up. great otiiKP-itinn of goxls has takwi I'lnee, nuinlwrt ot m-'ti have hern thrown oat il cmilnymcnt, and gpReral rhao has rceulted without one sinc) efmpenfiti'Te iNWRt to tin mmmitniryi ana tia Hits rrwutition ne torwaruea to uie rrimn iini tor with an urgent aprl thnt tlit duty lw rrscindf-d as soon as un.fihle.
and 'hat In the meantime lie (live nn assurance that will allow truue to oe rciumfd. Mr. W. A. AitHss.
secondins the mo tion, said there never was a time when (here was Icra lustifieation for the duty. Senator Guthrie said that the measure imposing the duty had never come before the Senate. He intended when the Senate met on 11th March to move thnt the duty bo disallowed. Fellmongering was carried out by different countries in different ways, and Mazanct (France) which was Australia's largest customer for Fkins, hail taken annually somn 4.0C0.000 worth from the Commonwealth. The motion was carried.
SKVMOUR. Tuesday. The local agri cultural society carried a resolution pro testing against continuance ot tne duty on sheep skins, and urging the Kedcral member for the district, Mr. Hill, to join in representations to the Ministry on the subject. T.
Tehnn said skin, stores and farms were eomresled with skins that were unsalable, and stock owners wore involved in serious losses. THE MARKET FATALITY. Detectives Want Witnesses. Detective Davit and McPhce, who arc investigating the death of Frederick Templar, HO of VictoriaSslreet, FCotflt Mrlbotirnr. who sustained fatal in juries tn a striuigle with pickpocket at tllO Yll'UHin Oil iiiBk-i nn.
nnsioiH to hear from a man and womnn wUn witopsspil tho iieiilent. Thev would like to get into touch with (ho proprietor of the lodging house in Victoria-street where deceased boarded, THE CITIZENS' LEAGUE. Extending to the Country. Of their own volition, men and women in many country towns are taking steps to form branches of the Australian Citi zens' lienguc. At the head quarters of the league, Collins-street, many re-tpiests nre being received for advice nnd information, nnd in every imdanc the writer refers to the enthusiastic accent rr-w of tho Idea by the people in kis district.
While the conttnl Mcrntivc has twen enndoring how to organise- the movement in other places, it has been organ iiint itself with gmit vigor. Most of llioffe- who enrol at the depots in the eity exprca their feelings In bitter, caustic comment on the party political system. The number of enrolments yesterday was 4.B. UNIQUE TOO H. CEREMONY.
German Cadets Tako Part. PKRTH, Tuesday. A happening which in probably nniqtic in occurtd at Ibinbury, when officer anil cadets Trom Ihe (lermau training ship Magtlaleue In-no vcrc present ns the guest of the local Toe II group nt ft guest night nd rc dedicatio nceremoiiy. Pailre King Ihe State pad-o of Too If, trmeil the fellowship and brotherhood principles of Toe It, nnd snid It waj significant of tha changed fttitmh? when vouiift Germans) and young I'ritifdicrs Uood together to nmembcr thofo saci.fico din the hate nnd bittornvM of war. RU33ER INDUSTRY.
MORE ABOUT "GENTLE-MAN'S AGREEMENT." PRICE-FIXING INTRIGUE. Further evidence concerning price- fixing methods as applied to tho solid-tyre section of the rubber industry, ns reported in "Tho Ago? yesterdny, was given before the Tariff Board yesterday, when the in-uuiry was continued in regard to an appli cation for a duty of per or '2A per cent. Uiitish. nnd 10 per or 40 per centt. general, ns applied to item 333 (II) in the tariff.
Mr. K. F. Andrew, general manoger for Anstrnlnsia of the Hergougnnn Tyre Company, the executive nflice of which is in Kxhibition-strcct, Melbourne, opposed the application. Referring to tho "gentleman's agree ment' criticised by Mr.
It. b. James, manoger of the Itubber Company of Australia, in his evidence rcimrted in Age'' on Tuesday. Mr. Andrew declared that Mr.
had deliberately attempted to hoodwink his competitors. "Wo emphatically refute his statement thnt we have adopted any unfair declared Mr. Kxplnining the "gentleman's ngrccmeiUj" Mr. Andrew said that at a contereiico Sydney in October, 1020. the prices of imported tyros, were lixetl at 25 per cent.
above tlio tyio prices. Air. dnms was not uresent at thai mooting but ho did attend a Mibsequent 'meeting tin Melbuurno when the "gentleman's agreement" was explained to him. Mr. damcH whelchoai tedly suppoited, endorsed and agreed to adopt the "gentleman's agreement." All conpctilors gave him conic.1 of the then curr-nt mice lists, nnd ho in turn figiecd to favor each with a copy ci nu', imi no mil nor no mar.
Lhonrli nt hun-semif'tit intctiims Mr. Janice was repeatedly nsked take his juice list, which he always to no, dui tin luifl not. ilonp thnt vet. Mr. Andrew emphatically declared that Mr.
Jnmri had broken from the agree ment, and that Ins complaints were noso-lutelv un iti'tifiablc. There had been general belief thnt Mr. James had not played fair. Mr. Andrew contended that the present tariff of 40 per cent, ad valorem on foreign tyres was more than ample protection if modern plnnt and manufacturing methods were employed locally.
Although Mr. James was present throughout, yet he offered no comment on i no evidence. STATE POLITICS. Ministerial Visit to Shep-parton. Praise for Hog an Government SHEPPARTOX, Minis ter of Agriculture (Mr.
Slater) and the Assistant Minister (Mr. Pollard) arrived here by car. to-night, and were tendered a civic welcome by the borough council Cr. A. W.
Fairlcy, who represented the mayor, proposed tho toast of the visitors, and expi cased appreciation of what the Ilogon (iovernmcnt had done in its effort) to produce nnanciai Biaonuy. Mr. Slater said that tremendous prob lems of finance, unemployment and in dustrial stabilisation faced the Government. Hogan was the embodiment of honesty and energy, and in the attempt to nerve the neonle of Victoria he had endured a strain which must shorten his life. Mr.
Pollard endorsed what Mr. Slater had said, Messrs. Fonrehier, M.L.A., and Kilpat-riek, M.I-.C, also spoke. Mr. Knirlcy, in concluding tho proceedings, said the fruit industry of the district had benefited wonderfully by the Government's action.
Owing to the help received tho cannery would be able to process all thin season's peaches, which would greatly assist the people to overcome their manual uimcuiiics. IMPORTED TIMBER. A Sydney Complaint. SYPNKY, Tuesday. In the Legislative Assembly to-day Mr.
Scully (Labor) drew the attention of the Minister of Works (Mr. Davidson) to tho large amount of imported timlwr used in the construction of public buildings in New South Wales, and noked the Government to assist Australians and Australian industry by coin-polling builders to use Australian timbers. Mr. Davidson said he was having inquiries made tn see whether Australian timber could not be used in place of imported orogon. FLOOD IN ROPER RIVER.
Water Four Feet Deep in Police Station, DARWIX. Tuesday. The news has just Ieen received that the Itopcr River came down in flood unexpectedly on 29th January. The water rose to a height of 4 feet in the Roper River police station, and Constable Abbott hod to remove all the police gear to Telegraph Hill, a mile distant. Xn word haH Iweii received from the Roper River station.
Dust Haze Over Darw'n. A haze, probably volcanic dust, has hung over Darwin for some days. The sun can be seen nt midday with the naked eye it is lc.s bright than the full moon. ATTEMPT TO ESCAPE FROM GAOL. Prisoner Fractures Ankle.
BKNDIGO, Tuesday. In making an effort to escape from Dendigo gaol this afternoon Alan Thomas, 25 years, laborer, dropped over the outer brick wall, which is 18 feet and falling heavily to the ground broke his ankle. Thomas, who was unl.il recently employed as a circus hand, wns in custody nwaiting trial on one charge, r.nd in addition was on remand from Klmoro on another charge. On Thursday lant he was brought to Hon digo under police escort, having previously been committed for trial on a charge of larceny from a railway rtation. While he was being taken from Klmore court house to the local railway station he is alleged tn have tnndo an unsuccessful attempt to escape from custody.
In his attempt to osenpo from Bendigo gaol Thomas was challenged by one of the gaol warders, who rnferd the alarm. Later J'homas wfti found lying with a fractured ankle hetwetn the gaol wall and a six-feet picket fence whfch endows tho caol property. He was admitted to ltencligo Hospital. UNLICENSED BUSES. Heavy Fines Imposed GKKLOKG.
Tuesday. William Frederick Ulyth, chief inspector for the Country Honds Board, proceeded against John liuckstein, Phillip McClelland, Henry J. Pratt, Leslie Sberidoti and Thomas A. Glnssborrow at Gcclong police court on Tuesdny nn charges of having operated uioor omnihiiKcs on tho road between Geelong and such buses not having been licensed in accordance with the provhions of tho Motor Omnibus Act. Thomas A.
ngainst whom there was prior conviction, was fined 51X with 13fl costs. The others were eaclr fined 10. with 1.10 costs. REMARKABLE COINCI-DENCE. Doatha of Bachalor Brothers.
XATHALIA, William 0'IIsre dlnl yesterday after nn illnosi of some mnn tin duration, nt the nge nf 03. Ills binther, Mr. John O'Hare, died suddenly three weeks ngn. Both were unmarried. 1 STATEMENT BY SHIP OWNERS.
Waterfront Peace in Jeopardy The following statement on ttie water front petition was issued on behalf of tlie hip owners yesterday inter a special meeting in Melbourne of overseas and representatives: "Short of financial repudiation, it would be difficult to conceive a' more scrioiiK blow at Australia's future welfare than the arbitrary enforcement by Government regulation of preference on the water- front for members of tho Waterside Worker' Federation Fhould the Senate not net swiftly disallow thin new re striction, it will autninnticaiiy remain law. Inevitably nnd speedily there will recur the euinulativc hold-ups nnd disastrous diBortranisations which imnlly reached climax in the continent-wide paralysis of September, 1028. If thp denlorahio series ol incidents on- the Australian watcrlront was nonsihle in' the nnst. when there wnp no legal barrier to the manning of de serted wharfs by citien volunteers nnd by growers faced with ruin, what hope can there be of pc.iro nnd continuity of work on the waterfront when volunteer Inlmr in forbidden by Government regulation nnd ship owners arc compelled to get rid of men who have worked loyally under thclcriiiH of Ihe itwnid Those who have created turmoil nnd strife in thp past, hringintr about ruinous financial loss, will know that they can resort to the old tactics with impunity. In such a crisis- it would bo vnin to expect the comparatively mall number of returned soldiers on the whnr'fs-Mf any of them remained--to end the trouble.
Imagine the present position of the Commonwealth and it primory producers if hail hern constant warfare and disruption on the waterfront in plnce of ni'arly two years nnd half of industrial pence nnd strict observance of tho nwnrd. It in not only a question nf the abandonment of ellicicut volunteer labor and the crippling of overseas nnd inter-State shipping. The solvency of States-and Commonwealth nnd the existence nil their primary producers may be equally bound up the impending decision of the Seiinte," RAILWAYS POSITION. Diccussed by Labor Party. Rationing or Dismissals For three hours and a half last night the Parliamentary Labor party discussed the Railway position, particularly the introduction of economies to effect savings to meet the financial drift.
The Premier explained at somo length the financial position the Stale, and emphasised that it would bo possible to balance the general accounts, but that figures in the Treasury indicated that the Railway deficit would be nlmut This figure would be the State deficit on 30th June, unless -it could bo reduced by economics. It was imperative to the of financial stability, and the absorption of unemployed that the drit fhould be stopped Tho Government had asked Commissioners to avoid as tains possible the dismissal of men, and they had done so. The Government desired to see men.retnined in employment. Most' members of the paity were stag-gyred by the Premier's disclosures, and realised the folly of the attitude of kiiic organisations and the special A. I.
coin-! mittee resolution in opposing rationing ns nn alternative to 'llicy ap-l proved-. -the Government policy of non-j interference with tho railways, but insist-; ing that the department's budget estimate should bo. observed. Some of the members opposed rationing. The meeting adjourned to a date to bo fixed, and this'Avftfl regarded as evidence nf support by the party of the Government's policy, i COMMISSIONERS' OFFER.
-'Rejected by Union. After1 a State council meeting of the Australian Rnilwnys I'niou last night the secretary (Sir. V. W. Soar) announced that the union had decided to reject the Commissioners' offer, mndc to the Railways ClosslfjcWtion Board, to revert to the rates', which, wero in operation on 3rd Oe tobcr (hliit under the Arbitration Court, minus a deduction of 10 per cent.
The lionrd will meet to-day to bear the deei-siomrnf the unions on this suggestion. The Railways I'nion has claimed increases from the board, and has strongly opposed the endeavors of the Commissioners to secure lower wages. Following the refusal of the union to agree to this suggestion, the Hoard will decido this week on the basic wage for the service during 1031. PUBLIC SERVICE ASSOCIATION. Election of Executive.
Ballot Irregularity Alleged. There was an unexpected development yesterday in connection with the ballot for six members of the executive committee of the Victorian branch of the Public Service Association, which closed at the annual meeting on Monday nicbt. There wag extraordinary interest in the nnd there were twenty-four candidates. Yesterday some of the candidates discovered that the ballot box hail been opened by tw. officials, evidentlv in good faith, to facilitate counting, for the purposfl of cheeking whether the voles were cast by financial members ns provided by the rules, nnd which could be ascertained without disturbing the secrecy of the ballot.
The regulations, however, provide thnt the ballot box should be opened and the votes counted in the presence of scrutineers or rcitm (tentative of the candidates. The counting wns to bu conducted to-night. Some candidates protested that the procedure adopted was irregular, and tlu'v arc demanding that the ballot bo de. clarcd null nnd void, 'nnd thnt another fjoll be The nrt.oss.iry objection ias been lodged. A petition is bHng promoted requesting tluit a special meeting of the' association be held.
NIBBLING AT CHILDREN'S PLAYGROUND. Ratepayers' Protest Ignored. A letter; signed by number of ratepayers, protesting against the alienation from tho children's playground in Sycamore-street, Caulfichl, of a cite for acouts' hall, was received by Caulficld council last night. The Mayor (Cr. Ritchie) said the hall would not restrict the playing nreo.
Cr. Patton Raid tho council had received complaints from ratepayers in the vicinity of- mint halls rewarding noise mnde by the scouts nt night. He suggested that tho remits should be offered another site in Princes Park. South Caul-field. would have plenty of room there to drill.
It was not desirable to restrict the activities of scouts. It was devided that no action be token regarding the letter, but Cr. Patton gnre notice of his intention to move that tho scouts be offered site in Princes Park. ALLEGED MISAPPROPRIATION. Bookmaker Committed for Trial.
SVDXKY, Tuesday. At Cessnock court to-day Alexander Giddins, a bookmaker, wns charged With having misappropriated 800, the property of William Gallo way. liufa Naylor, a well-known Sydney nortsmau. said that on 14th February he wlied Giddins to mako soma bets for him through Galloway, Giddina telephoned that witness had lost i'KliO on the day, and that witness had arranged for the sum to bo forwarded to Giddins to pay Gnllownv. who was to nnv it' to tbo bookmakers.
'Ihn arrangement was never carrion out. Cjddins was committed for trial. aecopi, woik wneii it was one red them. The view wbj submitted to tbo mectini! that the men were under a misspprcheii-won, ns they had been informed that it win optiouui tor tbeni to accept work, and had acted in accordance with thifr view. It wos also ilaimed that Mr.
who wns meinber of the sdvismy boni il, had pressed the board to make this provision. Ministers wero not prepared to discuss me point Jicy pointed out that the net was specific in declaring that if a man refused work he should not receive sustenance. Kventunlly, under pressure, the Premier promised that he woiiiii discus me matter witli representatives of the council nt his office thin morning, but it is not nt all likely that the (J vein men will permit the camp to bo used as free and easy for men who have shown themselves to be undeserving oi puuuc sympatuy. ANOTHER SORT OF MAN. A Man Who Is Pleased with His Job.
TO THE EDITOR OP THE AGE. Sir, The following letter from of those who went to the country to accept temporary work rather than wait at Uroadmeadowp, may prove of intercut, ft is dated Kiday last, 20th and is addressed to a relative; ''We arrived safe and sound at Xowa Xowii. and were taken by motor buses a further 40 miles to our destination, through forest and gullies, intensely in- U'rcninji. i nere was good hot tea awaiting ua. I pot a good tent with splendid fly, nnd I nrnso nice and frcub for breakfast after splendid air sleep.
I would like to have a constant job up bore, ns the place is healthy, and we arc camped among beautiful forest scenery. There is a runninir stream of fresh water nt our camn. We shall not bo slartinc work till next week, so this afternoon some of us will be going over to the liuchan Itiver, aijout one mile and a hall, fishing." Vouis, M.L.II Work Accepted. During the past week 201 men have left the camp. 88 having accepted work, five who accepted work have deserted, and 111 have declined to accept work and hove been ejected, ten having left when ordered to do so.
By to-morrow the ISO single men on the waiting list, and who could not previously get into the camp, will be admitted to Broadmeadows, and by the end ot tiie week the camp strength is expected to bo normal, which is (112. Later pome of the men will bo offered work in the country on similar terms to those who have accented, nnd who on the comple tion of their period nt the bush camp win ne permit toil to return to Jiroad-mcadows. A.L.P. Sseks Reduction of Caul-field Rate. At last ni -jilt's meeting of Caulficld council letter was received from the local branch of the A.L.P., suggesting that in view of the 10 per cent, reduction in wages and the depreciation of real estate, rates should be reduced JO per cent.
Several councillor remarked thnt the rate had already boon reduced 12 per Cent. It was decided to reply intimating the reduction already effected. Brighton Council's Efforts. A deputation from the Brighton Unemployed Association waited on the local council on Monday night, and made a number of suggestions- calculated to assist in relieving the present position. It wa mentioned that since 24th November 300 pairs of boots hail been repaired at the tdmn established by tho unemployed at Wilson Hall.
Twelve sides of leather had been used, and the cost worked out nt 20 pair. Suggestions for the better handling of sustenance money and the administration of the relief funds were also made. In sympathetic reply, the mayor (Cr. Horton) Haid the council was alwnvs ready to do what it could for the unemployed in their midst, but the great problem wa? how to provide-more work. Tho council had spent 3ii00 in relief work up to the end of January, and it faced its financial yeor with a debit balance of 2500.
At all times, however, the council wns prepared to meet the unemployed committee and discuss with it any practical pro-punnls to afford relief. A committee was uppointed to confer with representatives appointed by the unemployed association. GRANTED USE OF RICHMOND TOWN HALL. Recently ltichinond unemployed were granted the iipc of the municipal gymnasium in which to hold meetings. Following representation to the public works committee, the uncmploved were planted the use of the town hall for the purpose on one aftcnoou each week.
CONCERT AT CAULFIELD. The fir.it public entertainment in the new CauliHd town hall will be a concert and dance, organised by the Caulfichl Scottish ivu-icty, to be to-morrow night in nid of the mayoral welfare fund and the local Ladies' Benevolent Society. MAIN ROADS AND RAILWAY CROSSINGS. In correspondence to the Minister of Public Works on the question of provid ing more woik for the unemployed, the town clerk of C'ollingwood (Mr. Butcher), at the iiiKtanra of the council, referred to the construction of arterial roads, abolition of railway level crossings and the erection of a new hospital an reproductive works which couM be undertaken.
It wr. requested that the rei of should be distributed Vrnportionately to the number of unemployed in the districts from the Federal Government grant ot 500.000. The Minister, replying to the council, stntcd that much of tho letter dealt with (pTcstious of policy. the funds under tho relief act, tho interpretat'on placed on it provided that the municipalities; must contribute 1 for each 2 given by the Government. 'Hi? reference to a Federal grant of 500.000 probably referred to 130.003 that would come to Victoria.
That was a matter for tho Cabinet to discuss. The matter will bo further considered in committee. POSITION AT KYABRAM. KYA11RAM, Tuesday. The commit tei of tbo unemployment relief movement recently organised in Kyabrnm is alarmed at the increasing unemployment, in spit" of tbo varied efforts which have been made to cope with it.
in eathuateii that there are nearly 200 men out of and though the canncrv In been able to absorb a few, the number left In rtill great consider "ng the population of the town. Work ha been cut down to a minimum on the channels, affecting a considerable number of men. This sea-ron there is little or no work offering in the orchards, tho owners and their families doing as much as possible. 'the tanjiTgold fields. TItAIWIidAH, Tuesday.
Large numbers nt unemployed are pvospt-cting on the Tanjil gold fields. The country is to be thoroughly tested by sink'ng bores as a preliminary step to ft big development scheme, which will give contidersble employment. Good strikes made years ago were abandoned on account of watr trouble, which it js confidently cxpcUcd can now be overcome. THE RIGHT SPIRIT. Perth Boys to "Adopt" School Child.
VKIITU, Tuesday. At a meeting last night attended solely by boys employed by a city catering firm, It was decided, in view of the wcvailing depression nnd its consequent distress and unemployment, tu "adopt'' it school child, whose father is unemployed, and be repomible fur her at tho laio if 10 a week, thereby ensuring that he or she will bo pent to school adequately fed. Should the father Iw sue-ccV'fi'I in obtaining employment another school child will be MILK BELOW CTANDARD, Allan Oslwrne, d-iver of St. Oeorgj's-rnnd. Xorlhcote, was fined 4, with 4 Co t-isw, at Nrirtheute yesterdny for having sold milk below tho standard.
Court Reserves Judgment, The High Court, conainting of Mr. Jus. tico Starke, Mr. Jutstico Kvatt and Mr, Justice McTiernnn, yesterday commenced the" healing of nu appeal from the Full Court of Weft Australia on the question whether a certain sum of mouey Mas profit, or an accretion of capital. The appellant company was Thomas and Co, and respondent was the Commit sioner of Taxation for West Australia.
Mr. Menxics, K.C., and Mr. Frisby Smith, of Adelaide (instructed by Messrs. Madden' Htitter, Klder and 'Grnham, agents for Messrs. Downing nnd Downing, of Perth), appeared for appellant; Mr.
J. Walker, Crown solicitor, of West Aui-trnlia, nppeared for the commissioner. Appellant was assessed at a Bum of -i55'i 1911, by tho commissioner, under the Dividend Duties Act 1002-24, of Wert' Australia. The company was incorporated in South Australia, and it carried on business In West Australia until November, 1027. The company carried on as flour millers and grain merchants, and it had mills nt Cottlcfloo nnd Kcllerberrin, and it was also interested in a farming pro oerty nt Jihbcrding.
In September, 1037, tho eompnuy sold to a new company called W. Thcninn and Co. (W.A.I Ltd, all its land, buildings, plant, machinery, at Northntn, Coltcsloo und Kcllcrbcriin fur 100,000, of which 100,000 was to bo paid in cash, and the balance was to bo paid on the completion of two flour mills. It was term of the agreement that the appellant company should apply' for 100.000 1 shares in the new com pany, and pay for the shares in cali. Tha agreement wns completed.
The company did not mako nny profit a' in West Australia for tho year ending October, 11)23, and it did not make a return under the act. Tho commissioner, however, nsseswd the company for the year 192.H on 113,311 and claimed 4652 1011 duly on the amount. The rum of 0.1,340 was arrived at by tho commissioner on ad just incut of tho sum Of representing the profit of realisation of the company in West Australin. The eompnuy nbjwted to the assessment, on tho ground that the 70,757 was nu accretion of capital, and not profit within the meaning of the Dividend Duties Act. The Full Court of Weft Australia hold tbnt the amount on which the Dividend Duties Act had been was profit on the sale of capital assets.
The grounds of appeal were that the State Full Court was wrong in law in declaring that, in bo fnr as such profit was distributable as dividend, it was a profit within the meaning of the act; that the court was wrmur in declaring that such profit was distributable as dividend, if upon filch distribution the paid-up capital of the company left intact; that the profits which were liable to lw? assessed were the int-mue of a coin nnny made iu carrying nn litiniiif in West AiiKtralia, and thr.t nn portion of the amount on which inity was as-csij bv the commissioner was profit undo by the company in rnrrvini on its husineiis in West Australin; thnt the amount on which duty ws iws was not income, and wns not diribufahb by the rnmpnny ns dividend, nnd that lh amount wa nn accretion of raji'tnl, nn-1 was not nrofit within the ineauinir of the pet. nnd was not liable to Im assessed for duty. The court reserved judgment. NEW DRUGS REGULATION "Impracticable to Carry Out" At last night's meeting of CnulnVM council the new dragnet regulation under tho Pure Foods nnd Drugs Act, which came into force on 15th was discussed. Cr.
MacKinnon, chairman of the health committee, said the health inspector had asked for a direction as to whether he was to take action in regard to brwiches of tho regulation, which was very wide in its scope, nnd provided that tiie Rale of nny bottle of medicine bcariiiR a awl claiming or suggesting that it was a enra for nny of the diseases or ailments men tioned in tho schedule of the; reRulation was illegal. The ailments mentioned included asthma. Uright's disease, infantile parnlvsis, baldness, scrofula, liver nnd nerve disorders, The council was sup -posed to carry out the rigulation ojid prosecute chemists nnd storekeepers wim pi Id such medicines. It was pretty tall order. The Mayor fCr.
Ritchie): It means that every storekeeper in the municipality will have to be prosecuted. Cr. Patton: Wo can tell the Health department that the regulation is too wide. Under it household remedies that have been in usi for generations are prohibited. It looks, like another attack on proprietary medicines.
A shopkeeper could not soil a box of liver pills under the new regulation. The health inspector should use discretion in the A motion bv Cr. MacKinnon, that the council considers that owing to the tar-reaching nature of the regulation it Is impracticable to carry it out, was agreed to. LOW VALUES FOR STOCK. Result of Heavy Marketings.
SYDNEY, Tuesday. The Minister of Health (Mr. McGirr) told Mr. Carter in the Legislative Assembly to-day that the low- price ruling lor live stock to-day was the result of extremely heavy marketings. Approximately CO per cent, had to be exported, nnd as low values were ruling for frozen mutton and lamb the world markets, oil stock values had naturally fallen to export parity.
QUEENSLAND MONOPLANE. Successful Demonstration BRISBANE, Tuesday. The progress of. aviation in Queensland was demonstrated to-day, when locally constructed Wickn cabin sports monoplane, designed nnd built by (). N.
Wikner, was officially christened by tho Governor, after which a demonstration flight wns given. It i claimed that tho machine will not stall at tho slowest possible speed, nnd in nrool of this during tho demonstration Intuit the pilot stalled tho engine and negotiated an acuta turn with the machine showing no tendency whalover to go into spin Tho climbing powers of tho machine were also demonstrated, when it rose 1000 icel within 20 seconds. Tho machine, winch is powered with a Radial Anznni engine took oil' within 100 yards. PETROL FRIGES. Pr-ce-Outting; War in Perth.
rKRTHV Tuesday. A petrol piioo ciit-ting "war" commenced in Perth today. Abj a result of previous "wars," when price cutters defaulted in their oil companies fixed tho price at which tho garages had to poliol. If a service station sold below the fixed price it wan disciplined by having its supplk cut off. To-day Iho oil companies de mauded cash on delivery or cash with order, according to oimimstnnciB.
I mm most of tho metropolitan service stations. Credit is being extended to very few garages. Tho announcement has been made on bchnlf of tho oil companies that service stations can pleaso themselves what pi'ces they chargo lor poind. It looks as it it will bo caie of the survival ot' tus fittest, but nm rim will benefit in lh mcunwhic. CHANGES IN RAILWAY SERVICES.
Tho early morning tall motor trips on tho Mai don lino will bo cancelled as from Monday. 2ml March. Un and after tlmt date tli9 040 a.m. Maldon-Castlemnine rail motor, which now connects with th 7 a.m. llcndiuo-Malbooriio passenger trnm niul tlio a.m.
won daily rail motor wilt be can eel led. 'lb goods train "mi Tuesdays between Wnn-gnratta and Whitfield in each djrcctieii will bo cancelled ns from Tuesday, 3rd Mnreh Tlm goods trallie rwpiii fluent nn this line will bu entered for with ono aoods train hi each diioUidit on Thurs dnya only. In Pnihrnu court yesterday Novl K. roster, 24 years, bookmaker, Klistnbeth-street, Moonee Ponds, wni charged with having diivon in a dangerous manner aim fidled to cton niter un accident. The evidence showed that at 1 n.m.
on 20th January defendant's car collided with a I'hincite market gardener's waggon in St. Kildn-road. The occupant of the wag-con. Yee Hor. wns found unconscious on the road.
After the accident defendaut left the motor track and was travelling along tho centra road when his car mounted a rockery nnd collided with a tram Pole. Hcgnining the road, defendant turned into High-street, ami disappeared. Tho police later located him nt Mooneo Ponds. Ouiblnhla Courtney read a statement which defendant had signed in which he admitted the offence. He nddod that punctured tyro had affected the steering of the car.
Mr. Xoonan, P.M., said he wns inclined to Font once defendant to a term of im ori.oumen'.. which the act now prnvide.l for, but Irs colleagues nn the bench hud decided tint fines should be imposed. On the lirst charge defendant wns lined 10, with 1 a0 cosls, and hia licence wns suspended for six months, and for having refused tn ston and render linnet-rtiicrt iflm iho ni'cMeiit. tlm maximum penalty of -0 for first offeuco was imposed.
The oMit justices on the bench were Mvf. hrmnicis mm aiva. li. m. oivono, STEERING GEAR AT FAULT, Two Men Injured.
BKXDIOO, THci-day. Travelling down a hill approaching Kavenswood this oven- ing, the steering gear of car developed a fault. Tho car crashed into tree. Two of the five occupants wero injured, and were admitted to JJcmugo Hospital. bey were ALFRED CHARLES DENNIS, 20, Footsersy; ihack, fractured rlo tnd Ibra.
Ions, JAMES ALLMAN, 31, of Inclawoodf shock, ra tion, to face and lag. The owner of the car, William Ryan. fnrmer. of Keranc. wns travetlinn to Las- tlemaine when he picked up the other members of the party, who were tramp ing to J.
lie car was until damaged. BTRUOK BY MOTOR OAR. UNKNOWN CYCLIST SERIOUSLY INJURED. As a motor car, driven by Herbert Parish, of Centre-road, Bentleiph, was travel titie nlonpf Point ftcpeau-rond, Brigh ton, at QAH p.m. yesterday, it collided with a push bicycle travelling in the same direction.
Tho w- thrown heavily, and rendered umonscitus. He wns later admitted to the Alfred Hospital sulTering from a fracture of the base of tho ykull. In his possession was a hamlkcrchiel marked H. Jcncs." ELDERLY CHINESE KILLED, KNOCKED DOWN BY TAXI CAB. Crossing KxhiWtion-street, opposite the Comedy Theatre, about 8 p.m.
yesterday an elderly Chinese wos knocked down by a taxi-cnb, driven by D. Byan, Inraday frprt. CaiHon. The Chinese, who Wan later identified as Ah Chee, 02 years, carpenter, of Lons (Inlp.Ktrppt. wit tnttpii to tbo Melbourne Hospital suflerine from a fracture of tho nnsc ol ttie sunn, nroKcn arm anu oroKcu lesr.
JTo died shortly after admission, without regaining consciousness. COLLISION AT BURWOOD. Motor Cyclists Injured, Rutins tandem on a motor cycle across the intersection of Bay view nnd High- street roads, Btirwood, last night, Bruce Angus, 21 years, of Barnes-avenue, Bur wood, and Bruce Wilson. 17 years. Syca more-street, Cninherwcll, collided head on witn motor tar.
Both men were taken to Alfred Hos pital and admitted, Angus sulTeriint from compound fracture of the thih, broken Icr and broken arm, and Wilson from concussion, a broken leg and lacerations. MOTORIST ON WRONG SIDE. Attempt to Bribe Alleged. Leonard Newton, of Victoria-parade, East Melbourne, wns charged at North Melbourne court with having driven a motor car on the wrong side of the road bpeneer-street. Constable F.
C. Prott snid thnt at 10.40 p.m. on 10th January defendant "cut the corner wimh tuinius out or ttawjic-fitrcet. When defendant was asked for an explanation he said. "I do not know whethei I have nny excuse.
Can't 1 squnre you fellows olf Defendant, who did nit appear, was lined DROVE UNREGISTERED CAR. Heavy Penalty at Caulficld. At Caulficld court yesterday, John Arthur Brady, Cilen nuntly-rond, Caul-field, pleaded guilty to a charge of having driven nn unregistered motor car on 14th Jnnuai'v. Mr. Bolton.
J.P. (chairman) snid that the Dentil renamed the otlenco as a fieri-ous one. A tine of 10 was imposed. Noisy Motor Cycle. For having driven motor cycle which emitted an offensive noiao on Queen's- narnde.
Clifton 'Hill, on '23r( Alexander Ahorn, of Orrong-road, Hescr voir, was fined X2 at Aortlicotc court yesterday. Unregistered Motor Car. Milton Jnmea Kdgewoith, of Timor-street, Wamiambool, was fined .1 at Northeoto court yesterday for having uriven nn unrcgistereu motor car nn iliglr street, Xorthcote, on 18th January. Passed Stationary Trams. Inspector Hallion, of Brunswick coun cil, prosecuted motor drivers at Brunswick court for not stoppinif on Sydney vond when trams slopped to pick up or drop passengers, John uonrke, of (Jreff-ory grove, Preston K.tst, end ltonald Bur-(jess, of li ich rd reft.
Coburi. were each nncii a3, with -Mtf costs, and (Jeorgn Lowe, of Mitchetl-ntreot, Brunswick, was I1IICC1 Xd, witu "iiU costs, TRUCK DRIVERS FINED. At DaTideiinmr police court heavy it ties wore nuiicled on Fcveral motor truck drtvora. Honry Wilson, charged with drivimr a vehicle cxeeedintr tin op tons wei(bt ut a Rruatcr spetil tlmn fifteen in lien nu hour, Wm lined "3, and id cofts. For r-Imilar offences Herbert VViidKeway waa lined 413, nnd 2U casta, Willinm Allan tfl, nnd ifu costs, ana uoucit uicKsoii 3, end 30 costs.
CYCLE OCCUPANTS INJURED. THAIIAUION. motor enr driven by Mr. Pang, of BeudiKo. and containing six passengers, when round- iiitt turn in the toad at Trnralgnti, collidetl with a cycle find Mite oar, carrying ur, n.
ureon, oi r.itrtei nwu-K, ntui A. Ucrrard, of Hhepparton. (lerrard hud his col! urbane broken, nnd Breen siii-tninnl an iniurv to tbo ktim. Tlui wum taken to a private hospital. CRS BADLY DAMAGED.
MT. OAMinim, driven by F. Collins, milkman, nnd Mrs. A. Dit kson collided In Commercial-utreot.
Fob lowing the Impart Dickson's enr mounted tho footpath and crashed into i fence on W. Hnnpford's property. The drivsrs had llicltv OHCnnm. Itotb onrm tvni-A lin.llv damaged. sion of work in lieq of susteuancc through municipal councils were the main recom mendations of a special committee made to the meeting of the Mate Labor party yesterday.
These proposals were adopted by tho party after a discussion lastiti; over four hours. The Government will now submit them for the consideration of the Unemployed Relief Advisory Hoard, which will meet next week. The committee, however, emphasised thai where possible work instead of sustenance should be provided, but it contended that where sustenance had to be given the prevent allowances were inadequate. With this view most of the party concurred, but it was strongly urged thnt tho act provided certain limitations, nnd in nny ens cine amount ot money provided by Parliament was not suiiicient to 'meet tlu niiindu even on the present buuis of puy-meut. Some members' expressed tho view that the Legislative Council would not provide more money.
This drew the retort from other members that if necessary tiie Government should either go to the country on the irisuc or should, vacate ollice and allow the present Opposition to tako up the task and 'hov what it cuuld do in tho way ot mooting the trouble. The committee submitted comparisons of kiib ton mice payments in other States. In Victoria a single man's ullowance is 40 week, married man and who 81), with 1 for each child up to four, or maximum of 12U a week. Tho maximum in New South Wales was stated to bo 253 for i man, his wife and six children. The South Australian scheme m-ovidcs for an allowance of 0 week lor single men, 13 for a man and his wile, witu 2U lor eacli dnlU with no limit, bo that a man, wife and six children would receive 25 a week.
The party decided to adopt the South Australian baeia of allowances, end this will now be submitted to the advisory board. In announcing the decisions of the meet inn. the Premier said that mi the suggestion the party decided that municipalities should be invited to co-operate with a view to providing work in lieu of sustenance. ihe suggestion of the committee was that mnrncd men miirht be taken off the Kiisteuaiice list, and councils subsidised from the sustenance fund to provide a certain period of work each week, tl.f council to find a sum equal to about ft) per cent, ot the usury, fo tbnt additional assistance might be given. The periods would probably vary accord-inn to the NiiMtennueo that wniibl arily be paid to the unemployed perdu u.
THE RELIEF FUNDS. Large Sum Unexpended. Ilcfcniiiir to the position of the unem ployment relief fund, the Premier suid that the total amount estimated to be received under the three State Unemployment ltclicf nets was 1,603,009, of whteh 752,089 had been actually spent up to the 1 Till January on works nnd suxteu-ance, leaving a balance of 850,011 unexpended at that date. The balance had lecu allotted for works and simtcnauto over tho period ei ding 00th duno next. i-nier icturns hiowcu that on tho 7tli inttt.
tbo amount which had been netimllv expended on works nnd sustenance wan leaving a balance of 778.001 unexpended on that date, but which had been allotted for works and sustenance. POSITION AT THE CAMP. The Men Who Would Not Work. EJECTMENT EFFECTED. An Easy Tas3 with Some Humorous Scenes.
The question (if riddinn the iiroml- tncadows camp of the men who sought arrogantly, in defiance of regulations, to use the camp as a free loduina house and dcclinu ull oilers of work was settled yesterday somewhat more easily than had been expected. Ihere was practically un unconditional capitulation. Paying a surprise visit to the camp early yesterday morning, a party of UU police, in charge of Superintendent Salts ami lnspoctfir Jones, ejected 101 of the workless mcu who had refufed to ucccpt jobs in the country when this work was offered them some few days ago. The ani-val of the police was luhy expected by tho men in the camp, an it wue not seriously supposed that the Government could tolerate tiie retention of men who claimed sustenance but defiantly refused to accept Ull 1MB Ol lVOl'K. Hut it was not known when the poiieo would arrive.
Forewarned is lorearmed. So on Monday niidit the camp superintendent quietly iutonued the men they were to go in the morning. A man was posted nt the main cutruueu the camp, and lne uri'iiiujc-meut was mode that a ulast from a whittle would signalikc the coining of the police. Shortly ullcr 5 a.m. the sentinel saw the men apptuaihins.
il" 'V" wiiiFue ue mew it with Ins might but alas all in vain, for the men wiiom tn police had coiim to twpei horn the camp, bciup; trco fro.n all fretful care, were ilceping soundly so soundly before they could bo iMvakencil the police were upon them. They hail lout tllO onnoi-ilinitv nf mm. inc n-li-ti sidcrod would be a diuniiiud etcane across tlio holds, Upon arrival at the camp Superintendent Salts met the camp superintendent, Mr. J. J.
Scanlun, and obtained lift ot the names of the men who had refused WO lb mill tho btcniinn nf tUt. l.ni they occupied. Tho police visited tho various huts, nnd the men were hist rue ted to answer their names as they were lv.nd out. Alter being- supplied with a speeuii in-aaKinsc. utoy wcro oidorcil to Ivan- oninp, which they did whhntit any 'untoward incident oecnrrintf, 'J'lie moii filed one oi tno ciinip ciiriyu: iiieir biviikr with them.
hey set out across country for tho ncaretl relief nt Cobury. Ihe police visit wag not without its humorous side. due mnn cim.r.,1 across country by Mounted Constable Kd-Bar. In his pursuit of tho man the trooper was obbyed to jump his horse over several ne icnces. i no lugitive, who sought refuge in a fiirm hoUrt.
Wns l-otiirnmt Hw, camp nnd alter culioctiiiK his buioimini, bo followed his companions. Another man who had been ordered from the camp was out purveying tho moru-iiic and verv Heantiiv ntin-mt. i. saw the mounted men npprcauhing. An oflieinl eye-witness the last con of iiini was a sunt tail disappearing in the A fanner found him hiding up a trei about a mile from the camp lie wns taken back to his but, and alter drciti-( no was expelled.
Sanior Octet live Dunn and Detective tiooilen made a ieeint vidt to tbo camp to eject a well-known Communist, who they alleged went to Ihvad meadows to spread dtssciifion among t.ie uncmploved. (ho police further report thnt nn elderly man, who showed readiness to accept job that Mas offered him, was. brutally Assaulted by some of the camp inmates. Tho police urjio that authnrMies should exercise vigilance to prevent Communists being included in the dralt of ft) unemployed men who will reach the camp ti-dn), and aunt Iter similat dii.fl to be isont co-morrow. TRADES HALL PROTEST AGAINST EJECTMENT.
Deputation to Labor Party. The president of the Trades Hall Council (Mr, Don Cameron), the secretory (Mr, Duggan), and nssiitant secret a Mr. Monk), who is also iccrctftry of. the Trades Hall unemployment committee, yesterday made it their business to attend.