AUSTRALIAN.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 December 1921, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. BUTTER SLUMP. MELBOURNE, Dec. 20. Negotiations are proceeding between tlio Federal Ministry and Imperial authorities regarding the decision of the latter to clear the balance of the Australasian stock of butter held in England. The object of the negotiations is to prevent a further slump in | the market. The (Minister of Customs las'the result of a, consultation ofi butj ter interests, cabled asking the Im- ! perial authorities to defer the sale of ' supplies of surplus stocks until early ini the New Year, and als-o asking for further details of the curtailment of I shipments during January, February land March. Besides Australian interests tlx* movers in the matter are in touch with. New Zealand producer*. COALITION DEFENCE. ■Received This Day at. 8 a.m.) SYDNEY. Dee. 21. In the Assembly oil the motion for adjournment, the Coalition Government was defeated and Sir J. Fuller resigned. SYDNEY. Dee. 21 Sir .T. Fuller before resigning, requested a dissolution and the Governor declined, but sent for Mr Donley who was commissioned to reiorm the G<>\ernment. It is understood it will he the same Ministry ns before. Sir J. Fuller was nut defeated on division, but antieipn! ing defeat. resigned. when the Assembly me!, allot the Governor had refused to accede to his request lor a dissolutioe..

WOOL PRICES RISE. SYDNEY, December 20. i The ninth series of wool sales here have closed. Compared with the November series the rates for line merinos , increased from 10 to 121 P<’>' cent. ' Good bellies and pieces increased from ■ 10 to 15 per edit. Strong-haired wools ' increased by 121 per cent, and pure j dross-brods and come-backs increased ' 15 per cent. ’XMAS TRADE. I 'Received This Day at 0.10 a.m.) | SYDNEY, Dee 21. ; Christmas business generally is very brisk and heavy, and supplies are good. Money is free. The number ot country visitors in the city is largo than in recent years. THE BIG FIRE. SYDNEY. Dee 2L A lire is still smouldering in tlx* I* inane© Association’s stores. The salvaging of wool has commenced. Beneath the burned top layer, it is anticipated a largo quantity will lie largely undamaged. but requiring redressing. POTATO SLUMP. SYDNEY. Dee 21. Spurred by the large | ri.es obtained last year potatoe growers planted heavily for the present season, with the result that consider;*Me areas in C'Ook well and other districts have hceii left tuning and are lotting in tlx* ground or in sheds .because of prices. V bile I nsmanian and Victorian tubers are pouring into Sydney are insufficient to leave a margin of profit after digging and marketing charges are mot. WORKS CLOSED. SYDNEY. Dee. 21. Tin- whole of til,* employees of Civile Enginering Works. totalling httecn hundred, have been dismis-cd and tin* works are closing, owing to the effect of the basic wage. Tlx* Manager explained that a contract was underiak. n for the constri'.cti. n of three hundred locomotives for £2.5110.1'!!!). The first thirty have been completed at a cost considerably in excess el the estimate. They were unable t, continue unless the Government entile to their assistance. ANTHRAX CASK. MELBOURNE. Dee. 21. Investigations revealed a ease of anthrax, reported recently as due to a shaving brush, was apparently of British manufacture, but imported from Japan. Tlx* attention of tlx 1 * Japanese Government was directed to tlx* fart, that brushes were exported to Australia notwithstanding tlx* embargo. FOOD PRICES. MELBOURNE. Die 21 It is officially stated that food prices in Australia in November showed an average decrease of 21.1 per cent. cent, compared with the previous November, but still 10.5 per cent, above July 1914.

N.S.W. POLITICS. Received This Day at 11.3(1 a.m.) SYDXED. Dee. 21. With the re-establishment nf the Donley Government oil the Treasury benches, the Speakership question again commands attention. When the Assembly met mi Tuesday. Air Hickey’s resignation was lead by the clerk, where upon Siif .). Feller invited volunteers tlx* chair. Bagnall, Secretary of the Nationalist Party volunteered, ns :• protest against a coalition, of the Nationals and Progressive parties, slating ho would not he ass*,eiatoil with tlx* latter. who had assassin 11 eel the National Party at the elections. Air Bagnall received mi Humiliation. Tlx* incident has an impi riant hearing on tlx* future life of Parliament, as Air Bevy, though offering to accept the Speakership, only to extra ate Parliament from its impasse. may tew remain in the chair, t > keep Mr Bagnall out. Such an action would ho an advantage, rather than a disadvantage to the Opposition, which is now in a majority by ah least one, with rumours of ether defections. The i ! a l *mir Party emerges from the re- j skulVling tlx* least, damaged, with its i solidarity unimpaired, while (he Progressives seemingly, are disrupted. Seven members of tlx* latter refused to meet* the ros'V of the party last night and passed a resolution that the Progressive Party is still a separate entity, in fuel, as well as name. Mr Dooley meets the House to-day alter which a prorogation for two months is likely. FEDERAL CABINET. AIELTtOIIRNE. Dec. 21. It is expected Air Hughes will announce drastic changes in the reconstruction of tlx* Alinistry to-day. It is stated Mr Bruce will replace Air Boynton and Air Lammond will succeed Air Ot ok. it: is also thought Afr Laird-* smith will ortiro owing to an amalgamation of tlx* Navy and Defence l)e. 1 artmonts.