AUSTRALIAN.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 December 1920, Page 1

AUSTRALIAN.

fAUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CABM ASSOCIATION]

INCREASED DUTIES. ~ SYDNEY, i)ec 2. . In the Assembly Mr Lang introduced a. ipoasure providing for increased stamp and death duties, by , which he hoped to raise an additional three hundred tliousand. The new duties include twopence on cheques, hills exchange and promissory notes.

SHIPOWNERS’ THREATS. MELBOURNE, Dec 2. Statements issued on behalf of interstate shipowners announcing the determination to resist tho demands of the Seamen’s Union in excess of requirements of the Navigation Act, and threat ening to lay the vessels idle. Several aro already laid up.

QUEENSLAND FINANCE. BRISBANE, . Nov. 30

In the Assembly the Budget was tabled, The revenue for 1920 reached £11,293,000 and expenditure £12,366,000, a surplus is shown of £27000. There will be no new taxes. Income exemption is raised from £2OO to £3OO.

MR MAHON SELECTED. PERTH December 1, • Mr Mahon has been selected as tho LaboUr candidate for Kalgoorlie.

SHIPPING ENQUIRY,

SYDNEY, Dec. 2

Giving evidence at the shipping enquiry, the Marine Surveyor of the Burhs Philips Coy. stated that the structure of two vessels which his company refused to take was lamentably weak. He did not think there were two such other wooden ships afloat. It would bo impossible to make them seaworthy, as they had only half the timber in them that they should have had. INFLUENZA REGULATIONS. SYDNEY, Dec. 2.

The ‘Government has decided to grant thirty thousand pounds as compensation for business losses owing to the influenza regulations. The amount claiihed totalled £210,000. ,

AUSTRALIAN ITEMS. (Received this day at 9.30 n.m.) SYDNEY, December 3

Widespread useful rain continues to the general benefit, particularly in coastal and other areas which have been suffering a water shortage, as a result of the hot spell. Though the rain will interfere somewhat with the harvesting of early wheat it will improve the late crops. The Assembly carried the first reading of the single seat electorates Bill. Members of the Nationalists who opposed the present grouping system supported this Government measuic. ‘Owing to the delay in securing coal cargoes at Newcastle, the charters of a mimher of overseas ships have been cancelled a fid the vessels recliartered to carry wheat. ADELAIDE, December 3. The directors of the large old established cnirrying firm of Graves Hall and Compahy are asking the shareholders to sanction liquidation, on the ground t-hht the extravagant demands blade on behalf of labour had killed the company and mad it impossible for the industry to earn return on the shareholders’ money