AUSTRALIAN.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 March 1920, Page 4

AUSTRALIAN.

(By Electric Telegraph—Go i fright, i GOOD FOR SUGAR SELLERS. MELBOURNE, March 17. Mr Hughes (Premier) announces that a three years’ agreement has been reached by him with the sugar concerns covering the sugar industry. Their prices have been increased to £3O 6s 8d per ton. He says a council will meet in February each year to review the prices, and it will grant increases, if necessary. He adds that no increase in wages will be allowed this season. GOLD SEIZED BY CUSTOMS SYDNEY, March 17. The Customs officers are making good hauls of gold from departing people. A Chinese, on arrival from New Zealand by the Mahcno, was found to have thirty-five sovereigns corn calc. 1 in a teapot lid. The officials, however, were unable to confiscate this coin as it was obtained in New Zealand.

GRATUITY FOR NAVY. SYDNEY, March 17

The Australian Navy Department announces that the Navy is to participate in the war gratuity.

N.Z. HORSES SCRATCHED. SYDNEY, March 17. Karo was scratched for the Cup and Donoaster, and Rossini for the St. Lager.

WHITES IN PAPUA. SYDNEY, March 17

A meeting of citizens at Port Moresby resolved to urge tho emoval of Judge Murray, the Lieut. Governor of Papua on tho ground that he had lo^ l the confidence of white residents through hostility to progress. It was suggested Mr Stanisforth Smith, Act-ing-Administrator of the Northern Teiritorv should fill the position.

SATURDAY’S CONTESTS. SYDNEY, March 17

The final rallies in the New South Wales State election campaign indicate that the struggle is resolving tself into an endeavour by the various parties to secure first preferences. The general opinion is that the Labour Party will be outnumbered by all tlie parties opposing direct action. TRIAL FOR MURDER, SYDNEY,' March 17 Constable Worrell, the husband of the woman whose decomposed body was found in Woronora Park, near Southerland on February 28th, lias been committed for trial.