AUSTRALIAN.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 September 1920, Page 4

AUSTRALIAN.

[I'KU HIEOS ASSOCIATION.—CJPYBIGHt.;

PARER AND McINTOSM. MELBOURNE, Sept. 1. The Federal Ministry ii;.s presented Rarer and Mein tosh with cheques of five hundred each.

LIBEL ACTIONS. SYDNEY, September 1. An action has commenced to-day wherein Mr Holman (ex-Premier) claims £SOOO damagesfrom Philips Walter Tarluitin, for alleged libel, contained in the

newspaper “Tweed Daily News” on the 12th. March.

N.Z. POTATO EXPORTS. SYDNEY, September 1

Mr Buxton by request, met the marchants and Brokers representatives of the Sydney produce trade. a:ul the Chamber of Commerce, and detailed the efforts made to induce the Federal authorities to remove the embargo on the importatib.n of New (Zealand potatoes. He stated they had been successful up to a point. An officer of the Department was Doing despatched to New Zealand to report upon the conditions there. Ho stated the New Zealand potato crop was the largest on record and the quality was equal to anything lie had inspected in Australia. It was recommended to Mr Buxton that shipment be restricted to tjhe South Island ports, to ensure thorough inspection and as a guard against excessive export. The terms and conditions of sale proposed by the New Zealand merchants, were not acceptable to the Sydney traders, and a. Committee was appointed to submit the proposals which it was hoped would facilitate the trade between the Dominion and Commonwealth. The Chairman thanked Mr Buxton for efforts which should mean a better understanding to their mutual benefit. The delegates return to N e w Zealand to-mor-row.

NO SATURDAY WORK. SYDNEY, August 31. The Amalgamated Society of Engineers, Moulders, Boilermakers, and the Iron Trades Assistants Unon have decided on commencing on Saturday next to refuse to work on Saturdays. Ten thousand emplopees are affected. The decision applies to Morts Dock, the Cockatoo Island, the Garden Islands and the Clyde Works, in addition to private shopß. WATERSIDERS’ DECISIONS. SYDNEY, Sept. 1. A mass meting of the Wharf Labourers’ Union has endorsed the Labour Council’s irritation strike scheme in the event of any further deportations from Australia. They also decided to refuse to work overtime after five in the evenings. FEDERAL CAPITAL. MELBOURNE, This Day. A deputation of Canberra parliamentarians waited on Mr Hughes who replied that the delay at the Federal' capital was for financial reasons. Mr Hughes in a noncommittal reply, said the question would be an open one with the Party.

butter price. SYDNEY, September 2. Mr Storey, criticising the decision of the Commodities Commission in increasing the local price of butter in sympathy with the overseas increase, threatened to abolish the Commission, which was the creation of a previous Government. The Attorney-General Mr McTiernnan subsequently introduced a Bill in the Assembly to prevent undue profit taking, and repealing the Commodities Control Act.

motherhood bonus. SYDNEY, August 2. Cabinet agreed to a proposed by Mr MoGirr that the motherhood subsidy be 6/- for eaeh child, provided the father’s income with subsidy, does not exceed £3OO.

AUSTRALIAN NAV'f. MELBOURNE', September 2. It is understood that Government are considering proposals for a temporary reduction of the Australian Navy, owing to the excessive cost of maintaining now obsolete.

moot; control. MELBOURNE, August .T MELBOURNE, September 2. The central wool committees report shows the operations of two years, involved transactions of 174 millions sterling. A divdend of oj millions will be paid on September 22nd.