THE COMMONWEALTH.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17120, 15 April 1921, Page 7

THE COMMONWEALTH.

• ■» ■■- ■,»'- - —■ COCKATOO DOCKYARD(By CaM»—Pre«a AeweUHon--Copyrifht.) (AttetraHm tnd N.Z. C&bla Aasooiatioß.) MELBOURNE, April 14. In tho House of Representatives, Mr Hughes announced that the report of w departmental enquiry into the administration at Cockatoo Wand reflected on the officials and workers. The Government had decided to apSoint a Boyal Commission to mako a borough enquiry. He subsequently announced that the commission would comprise seven members of Parliament representing all parties, WEST AtTfITBAWAH POLITICS. PERTH, April 14. In the reconstructed Cabinet the portfolio of Attorney-General has not been filled. The Hon. T. p. Draper, K.C., who waa defeated at the elections, has accepted a Supreme Court judgeship. PACIFIC CABLE PROFITS. SYDNEY, April 14. The Pacific Cable Board's finances for the year ended March, 1920, showed a profit of £28,000. TELEPHONE SHORTAGE. SYDNEY, April 14. The anuual report of the Postal Department stateß that 11,000 applicants are awaiting telephones. OFTY OP SYDNEY ITNANOBB. SYDNEY, April 14. The City Assessor reported that the total assessed unimproved capital value of- the city wards amounted to over £36,000,000, It expected that a new rate of sd, an increase of Jd, will be struck .this month. The City Council has- decided to raise a loan of £1,000,000 by debentures. SMALLPOX INTHE ORACOHTJS. SYDNEY, April 14. Two more cases of smallpox were discovered among the crew of the Gracchus. [A previous message said: —The steamer Gracchus, after landing a suspicious case at Melbourne, has arrived at Sydney. There are six cases of smallpox in a mild form on the vessel. All on board have been quarantined^ PASSPORT REFUSED. SYHNEY, April 14. _ The Commonwealth authorities again refused to grant a passport to George Georgeson to travel beyond Australia. CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE '.. ■ CONFERENCE. The annual conference of Associated Chambers of Commerce resolved t<* ask •Mr Hughes to enforce Arbitration Court awards or abolish the Court v and allow differences to be settled between the, Other resolutions favoured the fixing of a uniform f.a-q. standard for whoa* and oats, reducing Government interference with enterprise, and taxation thereon, to a minimum.