AUSTRALIAN.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 February 1922, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN.

; AUSTUALIAN AND V.Z. CAULK ASSOCIATION, j I ! j PLAGUE MENACE. | ; SYDNEY, Jan 31. } Dr Armstrong, President of the Board 1 of Health, has issued a warning to the j citizens respecting the increased neces- j sity for rat destruction. He says ex- ; perience has shown that fleas are more > numerous in Sydney in March and i April, and it is a. safe presumption that j the number of rat fleas will also in- > crease. ' The doctor predicts an outbreak of | plague during March or April. | i VAST BUSH FIRES. SYDNEY, January 31. ; The bush firs have again broken out j in the western districts of New South i Wales. ! There are fires now raging there ov e r 1 several vast areas of country. PLAGUE PRECAUTIONS. j SYDNEY, Feb. 1. , New plague regulations make it an 1 indictable offence t,o have premises rat infested. MINERS OFFER. ADELAIDE, Feb. 1. In order to avert the closing of Moonta mines, the employees agreed to accept a re'ffuction of 18 per cent on the present rate of pay, until the price of copper reaches a figure at which the mine can be worked without loss. When the price reaches £75 per ton, the miners will be given a five per cent rise, and an additional five per cent for every £5 rise. The directors are considering the offer.

WOOL SALES. BRISBANE, Feb. 1

At the wool sales competition was good; prices were ten to twenty per cent, above the December rates.

N.S.W. POLITICS. SYDNEY, Feb 1. Unemployment is growing steadily more rife and with the approach of the elections, the pressure upon Government to devise schemes to improve the situation is more insistent, with threats from sections of industrialists to withdraw support from the Labour Party, unless something tangible is quickly done. The methods- of selecting candidates are also creating considerable dissatisfaction, and unrest. MELBOURNE, Feb 1. So far both sides show a hesitancy in accepting Mr Hughes’ invitation for a round table conference to discuss the industrial position. Trades Hall Executive decided to recommend the Council not to participate.