AUSTRALIAN.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 May 1922, Page 4

AUSTRALIAN.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION

SYDNEY, May 11. The wheal yield for New South' Wales wa5‘2,135,000 bushels below the' January estimate. The area harvested was 3,203,000 acres, includin'; sixty six thousand which failed entirely, while the yield from 5,500 acres was destroyed by lire. I’he average yield was 13.2 bushels per acre.

CONGREGATIONAL UNION. SYDNEY, May 11

The triennial assembly of the Congregational Union of Australia and New Zealand has opened. The New 'Zealand delegates have not arrived. Rev. Davies in his presidential address, dealtwith the realities of Christian life. Tie declared the world makes in serious ef. fort to follow Christ because tne Church does not teach his way of life. The world will always and everywhere believe in the reality of self-suciificc, and brotherly love. It is utterly useless to speak of these things and followpagan principles of self assertion, selfishness in private business, and social self-seeking and the common practice to shout aloud a denial of Christ.

COMMONWKAI-TH FI.EET. SYDNEY, May 11

Owing to extensive wheat charters entered into by the Commonwealth, practically the whole Commonwealth Fleet will be actively engaged in trade at an early date. In March, 25 per cent of the fleet of forty-two vessels were idle, with little prospect of business. In addition to the Wheat charters, I) class is engaged ill the coal trade to Java and New Zealand.

MINKRS’ GRI EVAXCES. SYDNEY, March 11-.-

Representatives of the mining industr decided to form a deputation to wait on Mr Fitzpatrick, for the purpose of removing pin-pricks which were said to become sabre thrusts. It was suggested that the 'Minister when dealing with important mining problems, should confer with men who understood the economic position, as well as the technical experts. The grievances comprised excessive stamp taxation, and railway freights. A ton ol wool was railed for 225, while a ton of ore was charged .£3 10s.

THK J4-IJOUR WEEK. SYDNEY, May 11

The Shire Councillors Conference discussed the effect ol the 44-hour week, the uiiaiinous opinion being that it had a disastrous effect upon Shire finances, in some instances resulting in the dismissal of men ow ing to compulsory retrenchment. The loss to Shires is estimated at fifty thousand, irrespective of flic greater losses by municipalities.

HARVEST YIELD. SYDNEY. MnvlO.

■ The final figures in connection with the recent -wheat harvest show that grain totalled 42.(350,030 bushels, liny .".Sotons. The former was valued :t from £J2.UO() O’D to £13,000,030, and hnv at C2.OTI.ftOO.

A MYSTERIOUS MALADY. BRISBANE, Alay 11

Four eases of :t mysterious pain affe; lion were admitted ti Ipswich hospital from West Alorton district. The snlforers are all children. One death occurred shortly after admission.

PROTECTING TRADE. AfELBOURXE. May 11. Air Rodgers explained the stops taken under the Australian Industries Precaution Act, to protect local industries against dumping when trade was resumed with Germany oil Ist August.

FULL COURT DECISION. MELBOURNE, May 11. The Full Court gave a majority verdict for Willis in the matter of costs against the. “ Argus ” (cabled on 23rd August).

N.S.Vv. LABOUR PLAN. SYDNEY Alay 10.

A conference on the proposed reductions in wages was held recently and decisions were arrived at to lie placed ■before the engineers at a meeting on Saturday.

The feeling expressed at the Trades Hall is that a strong effort should he made by all unionists to combat and relmtion in wages.

THE MANURKWA. SYDNEY, May 10

The agents for the missing barque Manr.rewn liavo requested tlie Navy Dej artrnont to send a seareb vessel out for her. The Navy Department has declined the request. Thg department lias advised thg agents to charter a tug am! search the coastal waters. So far no definite steps have been taken to make any search, but the out-going ships, including the survey ship Fanlhom, on route to Torre* Straits/ liavo lieeii instructed to’ kceji a sharp look-out. The refusal of the Australian navy Department to search for -the missing Manurewa has aroused indignation in shipping circles. Two hatches, that were washed ashore at Crowd} - Head, were brought to Sydney for examination, hut were proved not to be from the vessel. CO Vl'. lI.MM EXT WASTE SYDNEY, May 11. There is a persistent outcry for a reduction in the cost of Government both in the State of New South Wales and the Federal spheres. The reduction is advocated as part of a scheme for easing loads from the taxpayer Apropos of this, a table has been prepared, showing the cost of administration in the Federal Departments has grown from £11,000,000 in 1917-18 to £16,1)00,000 in the present year. In the State of New South Wales the cost has grown quite proportionately. GAS WORKS DISPUTE. MELBOURNE, May 11. An important development has occurred in the gas workers’ dispute. The gas companies have declined to postpone their reduction in tile wage, or to discuss the question of wages with the union. The union has therefore convened a meeting for Sunday, to “decide who- ; tlier to strike. Grave fears are entertained that the employees will cease work on Monday. *