AUSTRALIAN.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 January 1922, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. > , LABOUR CAUCUS. (Received This Day at 8 a.m.) SYDNEY, Jan. 17. After a protracted debate at the caucus, Mr McGirr withdrew his motion, and the election date was not altered. POSTAGE ON NEWSPAPERS. (Received This Dav at 10.15 a.m.) MELBOURNE, Jan 18. The Postmaster-General is faking steps to secure a revision of the exorbiant postal rates on newspapers sent to foreign countries, inposed by the Madrid Postal Convention. Efforts turo directed to secure a reversion to |he old charges. RAILWAY GAUGES. MELBOURNE, Jan 18. The Premier’s Conference opened with a discussion omj the question of unification of railway gauges. The proposal is that an immediate start' be made for linkng up the capitals of the States and converting all the road gauge railways in Victoria and South Australia,, at an .estimated tofcil cost of twenty-one million six hundred thousand. The advantages that would accrue in tire way of general convenience, development of settlement, promotion of immigration, absorption of unemployed and defence standpoint was strongly urged. Victoria, and South Australia] are opposed to the scheme in the present form, chiefly on the ground that the early stages of conversion would affect theml more than the other States, and their railway experts consequently do not favour it. The Conference also discussed various immigration proposals.

UNIFICATION REQUIRED. MELBOURNE, Jan 18

The Insttute of Science is arranging a conference of interests concerned in the standardisation of materials, manufactured in Australia. Already a considerable amount has been done in this directon, but it is claimed if thoroughly organised it would mean a saving of millions of pounds anually.