AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2594, 16 October 1915, Page 6

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

STATE BUDGETS | DEFICITS IN TWO STATES By Teloftrftpli—Press Association—Oopyrifihl Adelaide, Octobcr 15. Til tho Assembly tiio Treasurer (Mr. Crawford Vauglian) delivered tho Budgot. _ Tho revenuo for tlio year was £3,973,310, which, owing to the unprecedented drought, was £153,533 below tlio estimate. Tho year's oxpondittiro was £4,662,395, leaving £■170,448 deficit, after the- deduction of the previous year's credit balanco. The estimated rovoinio for the current year is £4,760,830, and tlio expenditure £4,751,902, showing a surplus of £8928._ _ Outlining tlio new taxation, tho Budget foreshadowed a reducton in tho income tax exemption from £200 to £150 soldier's exemption being £300; an increase in the receipt tax from a penny to twopence, totalisator tax from 2} to 5 per cent'., and an increase in the unimproved land value tax by. a halfpenny ill tho £. COMMONWEALTH HARVEST BUMPER WHEAT CROP ASSURED. By ToJeirraph—Press Association—Copyright (llec. October 15, 9.50 p.m.) Sydney, Octobcr 15. | Tho majority of the districts report excellent prospects for a bumper wheat harvest. Stato officials and business men doubt whether sufficient overseas transportation will bo available to move tlio surplus. ! THE KIDMAN CASE MAJOR PAGE'S EVIDENCE. By 'JAekfrrapli—Press Association—CopyrlEiit (Rec. October 15, 9.50 p.m.) Sydnsy, October 15. In the Kidman case, Major Page in his evidence stated that Kidman, admitted thVit one tender in another name was his. Kidman explained that this was done in a hurry and regretted it. In regard to tho tenders in tho names of How and Simcs, which ho opened, witness liarl not tho slightest suspicion that they were not genuine. In reply to questions, Majot Pago denied receiving any money or consideration from Kidman. | VICTORIAN DEFICIT, Melbourne, October 15. Sir A. Peacock, Premier, doliyered tho Budget. There is no new taxation. The revenue amounted to £10,248,761, oxceeding the estimate by £17,402; the expenditure to £11,444,231, exceeding the estimate by £212,572; tho deficit is £1,195,470. Tho estimated expenditure for the current year is £11,477,602, including an increase of £298,681 for extra interest on debts and £110,000 loss on imported wheat. It is stated that tho State coalmine showed a profit for tho year of £10,640; tho shipbuilding yard a profit of £2333. The State cool store and beet sugar factory both showed small losses. It is estimated that tho State revenue for the current year will "amount to £11,244,382, and the deficit to £233,220. , DEFICIT IN TASMANIA. (Rec. October 15, 8.50 p.m.)' Hobart, October 15. The Treasurer in his Budget stated that the year ended with a deficit of £140,000, including £40,000 advanced against ore and £15,000 loss on imported wheat. What troubled him was where to get money to carry on. He was able to do this till the end of the present calendar year, but beyond that ho was unablo to see what he was to do.

AUSTRALIAN RED CROSS. (Rco. October 15, 8.50 p.m.) Melbourne, October 15. The annual report of the Australian branch of the Red Cross shows receipts disbursed since the war to be £171,188. UP ACAINST THE SAME OLD PROBLEMS. Sydney, October 15. At the annual meeting of the Employers' Federation, the president, reviewing tho war, said that tlio employers' desire was to remain absolutely, quiescent, • devoting their energies to problems arjsing out of the struggle, and assisting in the prosecution of tho war to a successful issue. But war or no war, thoy were up against tho same old problems. . Arbitration Courts and strikes appeared to be indefensible. A section of the industrial community had deliberately set it'self to minimise tho productive capacity of labour and machinery, and so bring the output of many important industries down from 20 to 50 per cent. .He submitted figures showing that since arbitration was enacted in 1912 there had been 727,726 days lost owing to strikes, involving a loss in wages of £363,326. LIFE OF PARLIAMENT EXTENDED. Hobart, October 15. Tito Assembly has agreed to the extension of tho life of Parliament until March, 1917. STRIKE OF DOCKYARD HARDS. (Rec. October 15, 10.55 p.m.) Sydney, October 15. Three hundred ship painters and dockers at Cockatoo Island dock struok because tho practice of allowing cease-work for five minutes .before knock-off time, in order to wash hands, was stopped. COPPER TO BE TREATED IN AUSTRALIA. Melbourne, October 15: Mr. 'William Hughes (Attorney-Gen-eral) announces that arrangements have been definitely completed by which tho whole coppor output suitable for electrolytic treatment will bo treated in Australia. Negotiations aro proceeding by which whereby all copper and brass goods required shall bo manufactured In Australia. . TAILORS AND THE COVERNMENT. Sydney, October 15. At a meeting of tho Labour Council the Tailors' Union moved a motion of lio-confidenco in_ the Holman Government,owing to its failure to introduce Industrial legislation as promised. An amendment inviting Mr. Holman to attend the council meeting so that it can inquire as to forthcoming legislation was carried by 70 votes to 59. SENTENCED FOR MANSLAUGHTER. Sydney, October 15. Herbert Owers was'found guilty of tlio manslaughter of a woman named Healy, in the Sports Ground at Dubbo in Juno last, and was sentenced to ten DUNEDJN, BLUFF, HOBART, AND years' imprisonment.