AUSTRALIAN.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 August 1920, Page 4

AUSTRALIAN.

[AUSTRALIAN .fc N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION]

AUSTRALIAN ITEMS. SYDNEY, August 24. The Farmers’ and Settlers’ Conference has opened. The annual report stated the 1919-20 period established a record in the form of losses through drought, the sheep lost totalling 10 to 12 millions. It urges the State and Federal Governments attention to a method by which the effect of drought may be mitigated. Mr Storey has issued, a statement condemning the attitude of the Labour Council in advocating industrial reprisals 'Against deportation. Ho said the Government would reach their goal by constitutional means, or make way for another Government.

The Gas Employees Union repudiated the scheme of the Broken Hill tribunal, and is adjourning till next Tuesday. In the interim, Judge Edmonds will prepare an award. The Coal Conference has commenced its deliberations, the Chairman subsequently announcing that both sides gave assurance to abide by whatever decision was arrived at.

PERTH, August 24. The Wheat yield is 12,223,000 hushels, an average of 10.8 bushels per acre which is three bushels better than the previous harvest. Live stock rcaiirns show a heavy decrease in horses, cattle, and sheep. The annual report of the State Labour Bureau states the demand for all classes of labour is greatly in excess of the supply. The State suffered an enormous loss through the shortage of labour in the*pastoral districts. MELBOURNE, August 24.

Government has recorded the whole of the Prince’s visit in evening pictures. They presented one copy to the Prince, and placed another in the Commonwealth Museum. The other four copies will be used for world wide Advertising of Australia. MELBOURNE, August 24.

The Earl of Stradbroke lias been appointed Governor of Victoria, in .succession to Sir Arthur Stanley. BRISBANE, August 24.

Wharf labourers discussed the action of shipping companies of discontinuing loading, and formulated proposals for submission to the shipping companies.

MEDICAL CONGRESS. BRISBANE, August 24. Medical Congress lias opened. Over two hundred delegates fire present. Doctor Wilson, President of the Medical Congress, giving an address urged it was the duty of medical profession as a whole, to conserve the health of the community. It was to preventive medicine that people looked to save them from disease, to prevent infantile mortality and to prevent overcrowding thereby lessening the incidence of tuberculosis and other diseases owing to their existence to unhygienic conditions. The united profession would speak with the voice of thunder which would shake the laxity of the Government and carelessness of the people. Strong concerted action was necessary in the direction of conserving public health. Dealing with the question of nationalisation of the profession, he said the time was not far distant in the opinion of many, when the question would become acute. If a newly qualified practitioner began with five hundred yearly and received automatic increases eaeli two or three years and worked only eight hours daily, the profession would attract men of ability. He considered a scheme of nationalisation practicable which would benefit both the profession and public. A LIQUOR ADVOCATE. BRISBANE, Aug. 24.

At the Medical Congress, Mr Wilson’s address referring to prohibition of the manufacture and use of alcoholic beverages maintained that alcohol taken as wine or ale, had its use, therefore while stopping the sale of whisky, brandy, gin and rum, except as a drug, he would permit the sale of light, wine, containing not more than seven per cent, and beer and ale of fiv'6 per cent alcoholic strength. PHILIPPINE DISASTER. MANILA, Aug. 21. A mountain top, 200 miles from Manila, collapsed during a recent storm, and buried the entire Igorqte village under hundreds of feet of earth, killing 70 natives.