AUSTRALIAN.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 November 1919, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN.

(AUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION J A WIDE IMAGINATION. (Received This Day at 31.15 a.m.) ' SYDNEY, This Day. The sensational “cablegram published ■ from the “Times” and “Daily Mail” referred to in the Assembly by Mr Holman said-that Australia, especially New South Wales, was suffering from the most devastating drought in white man’s history, far surpassing 1902 drought. Thousands of settlers were ruined, towns were deserted and stations abandoned. In the north-west of New South Wales wild dogs were in possession. Mr Wade has refuted the statements in the cable. He says there is no cause for. alarm, although matters in some parts are undoubtedly bad. Copious rains (have fallen in Riverina and tlie country is in a wonderful condition. Tibooburra, where the conditions were re- * ported particularly bad, is on the fringe of an area which is always par- , tially dry. } Business men in London connected with Australia deplore tlie exaggerated statements which are not in accordance with private, cablegrams. MEAT PRICES. (Received This Day at 8 a.m.) SYDNEY, Nov. 26. In regard to complaints that though the market is overglutted with stock from the drought areas, the price of meat remains so high, it is explained that this class of stock is unsuited to the city demand. Canning companies are reaping the benefit and are able to purchase mutton as low 2-Jd per pound. WHEAT SALES. I (Received this day, at 9.30 a.m.) j MELBOURNE, Nov. 26. i In regard to the future handling of wheat, Mr Hughes, announced that farmers are free to deliver into a pool or to sell to the highest bidder in open, unrestricted markets locally or overseas. CASH FOR GRATtiI TY. MELBOURNE, I hi? Day. Banks are other institutes and cm- ’ pieyers have already guaranteed between twelve and fourteen million for soldiers’ gratuities, will immediately be payable in cash. STEAMER- LAUNCHED MELBOURNE, This Day The sixth and last steamer, the Dumosa, built by the Commonwealth has been launched. FULL COURT DECISION. (Received this day at 9.20 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. The full Court overruled the contention that £3 17s, fixed as a living wage by the Board of Trade applied only to the Metropolitan area, and ruled it applied to the whole State. ALARMIST CABLES. SYDNEY, This Day. Dissatisfaction was expressed in the Assembly at a probable evil effects of alleged alarmist cables regarding the drought in New South Wales, despatched from Sydney and published in English papers. Mr Holman said it was a pity that English papers should take reports of Australian conditions from a gentleman who apparently never went farther than his office window. He had cabled Mr Wade to deny the statements and sent an official circular showing the actual measure of damage caused by the drought.