AUSTRALIAN.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 December 1920, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN.

[AUSTRALIAN life N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATIONJ

j TRADE SLACK. ! SYDNEY, Dec. 9. A slackness in the wool lms set in and hundreds are idle. The Union Secretary says wool textile workers propose to establish their own mills and arc approaching Government for use of the old Parramatta gaol . buildings. * Hoskin’s Iron and Steel Coy is establishing steel works at Port Kembln on the same scale as at Broken Hill and at Newcastle. The Coy. has already. acquired ifs own coal mine on the south coast, also an area in Tasmania containing large iron ore deposits, to be shipped to Kembla. ' THE WOOL TRADE. MELBOURNE, Dee. 9. At the wool sales , the market continued to show great irregularity. High prices were paid for best lots, 47 pence for the top lot Moorabong,, a record for Melbourne market. There ; were heavy withdrawals of ordinary wools. The inter-State conference of wool growers, brokers and felhnongers adopted the main features of Mr Higgins’ scheme without amendment. The conference subsequently waited on Mr Hughes, and induced him to cable to the Imperial authorities asking them to agree also to the appointing of an Australian Association as sole agents for | the sale of Britain’s half of' the carry? ! over. Mr Hughes warmly approved I anti the cable was despatched yester- ! eve. [. :/ WHEAT DAMAGE. 1 (Received This Day at 12.20 p.m.) SYDNEY, Dec. 9. j ' The position in regard to some wheat areas where rain is falling, is becoming increasingly anxious. Not only are harvesting operations delayed, but the grain is bleached and quality adversely affected and the crops tangled by wind. Already considerable damage is reported. Another drawback is the insufficient storage for damp grain, which the country centres have railed to Sydney. It is feared the shortage of railway stock will adversely delay transport. • AUSTRALIAN POLITICS. (Received This Day at 11.30 a.m.) SYDNEY, December 9. In the Assembly, the Salaries Bill was rend a. third time by 41 to 24. Mr Dooley in moving the see on 1 reading of a Bill to abolish proportional representation, and substituting single seats, said it was tTie intention to make enrolment and voting compulsory. MELBOURNE, December 9. The validity of Mr Hughes’ seat is questioned under a section of the constition providing that in the case of any members accepting fees or honorarium for services rendered to the Common, wealth his seat shall become vacant. No action is contemplated till ihe meeting of Parliament at Easter time. In ihe Assembly a bill increasing members salaries from £3OO to £430, will be introduced next Tuesday. A CUSTOMS TANGLE. 'Received This Day at 9.45 a.m.) SYDNEY, Dec. 9. In connection with the High Court decision, regarding levying duties on imported goods, important questions have arisen whether in view of the ruling of the Court, duties which the Customs have been levying in excess of the actual rate of exchange shall be refunded. As probably most of the goods levied upon have passed out of the hands of importers at the prices allowing a full rate of exchange it is considered improbable to make a refund and it is not improbable that Parliament will be asked to indemnify the Customs Department for any collections wrongfully made. Then, as regards countries where the rate of exchange has depreciated, like United States and Japan, the Customs Department is applying the same principle as where the exchango rate had appreciated. Therefore they collected less duty than should have been done. In the latter case it is considered unlikely that tho Customs will ask importers of American and Japanese goods to make good the duties collected short. It is likely the decision of the Court will apply to all future importations from both countries. The legal aspect of the. whole position is being considered.