AUSTRALIAN.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 February 1920, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN.

[AUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CASI.B ASSOCIATION*]

WHEAT FOR THE EAST. '. MELBOURNE, January 29. An offer of 8s 10]d per bushel for 250,000 bushels of third quality wheat for Japan lias been made to the Victorian Wheat - Commission.

Owing to the shortage of wheat and the serious position of New South Wales, it is understood that the Commission has agreed to the sale of only about one third of the 250,000 bushels at the price mentioned.

When questioned, the Minister of Agriculture admitted that an enquiry had been made for wheat, and stated that the matter had been referred to tho Australian Wheat Board for decision.

QUESTION OF AFFILATION. (■Received This Day at 8 a.m.) SYDNEY, Feb. 5. A delegate from the New Zealand agricultural and Pastoral Union was invited to attend the Australian Workers’ Conference to discuss the question of affiliation.

AN AFTER RESULT. (Received This Day at 11.15 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day

Messrs Burns, Philip and Co. announce that as a result of the labour unrest here, the company have decided to build no further steamers at present, but instead to endeavour to send the island produce direct to America and Europe, by chartered vessels, and reduce the present island fleet. The attempt to create a _ transhipment depot in Australia tinder the existing conditions is almost impossible. There was also a danger in the substitution of foreign tonnage for the Eastern trade, as the Malay States urgently need frozen meat. Tho loss of this trade may be permanent.

There are now 15,000 unemployed in Sydney, and 180,496 tons of shipping idle at Sydney and Newcastle.

MASTER IN TROUBLE

BRISBANE, This Day

Tho Marine Court inquiring into the stranding of the Bombala, “suspended the master’s certificate for eighteen months.

ASSISTANCE ASKED. . (Received this day at 10.20 a.rq BRISBANE, This Day

A deputation from the Wharf Workers Union asked Mr Hughes for assistance in the distress caused by the engineers’ strike. Mr Hughes strongly condemned the engineers “ bush-rang-ing attitude.” He said that he regarded the rejection of the latest terms of settlement as an ultimatum and he would treat it as such. He added that if the men remain out for six months they will be no better off than they are to-day. 1 He promised to consult Cabinet on the question of assistance to the unemployed.