AUSTRALIAN.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 May 1922, Page 4

AUSTRALIAN.

AUSTRALIAN ANp N.Z. OABfg AB§oplAfloN. CHURCH UNION. SYDNEY, May 13. Tl:c Congregational 'Conference adopted nn amended basis doctrine ' drawn up by the" Presbyterian joint 1 committee on Church Union, fhe le- " port staged that voting resulted 9,036 in favour and 1,524 against, through-

out the Commonwealth, representing sixty per cent of the membership and 80 lo 85 per cent of the effective membership. A resolution was passed authorising the executive to take the necessary steps in conjunction with the churches, for the consummation of the Union, recommending State unions to foster the spirit of union by promoting co-operation with 1 resbylerian alid Methodist Churches, as a precursor of a more comprehensive movement.

FEDERAL DEFENCE. MR HUGHES OUTLINES POLICY. SYDNEY, May 13. Mr Hughes announced the defence policy at Mulhimbiniby. He stated the estimates had been framed on a basis of providing for a total reduction of Cl 730 (jl]o below the cs’imated expenditure of 1921 • The reductions have Peon made possible by the Washington decisions. Limited defence measures were necessary, hence provision was I join'., made for manufacturing munitions bilt with a reduced output so that the nucleus of the defence organisations would exist, to he amplified in case ol emergency. Government intended to use twelve inch guns on the Australia, for stieiigthciiiiig the epasfal defence. A number" of vessels in fh.e Australian fleet would he 1 hi:e.d on the reserve and also the submarine llotilla. The personnel of the litter would he retained, and distributed among the vess Is in commission, to ho available U nccessaiy. There would he the greatest reductions in Hie army. 11 ".‘ ls proposed to abolish junior cadet training. Cadets in future would he traineJ he”ween the ages of sixteen and eighteen, and then pass into the mihtia. (i-asing at twenty. Everything would he reduced to practically twenty-live r cent of the war strength. C-om-,K ..nation wuui.l bp l>«j.‘! to “"Wf 8 . tired, unless they were absorbed into other Government departments. Dm Air Service, for the present, would he reduced from four squadrons to but the civil aviation vote would I.J increased. CLEAN CITY CAMPAIGN. SYDNEY, May 13. ’| he .-lean city campaign opened u(Lv Addresses were to be delivered urging on the . iiizpn.s the necessity f,„" ./week-end chan up <>f all refuse and garbage, s.i as to discourage rats.

THE MISSING liA JIG UK. SYDNEY, May 13.

u is suggested that if the AJamircw.i is heading for New Zealand, she should have arrived, judging by the favorable wind which assisted the Huddersfield and was encountered by the I' hum. The agents have not decided to send a steamer to search, as they have received no instructions.

THE BASIC AY AGE. SYDNEY, May 13.

A ninority report oj the Heard of Trade favoured £:) 15s 9d as the linsie wage. ecnteiidiiig £■:{ 18s was tea high, and that the cost of living iiduetions had warranted a decrease of <>s 9d. Tile einjijoyers believe the decision will assist to relieve unemployment. s(any prefer nut to reduce wages, it the employees work longer hours and increase production. The general fooiing Is thaL the Trades Unions will accept the decision, lint tlie Labour C'ouiuil threatens an industrial upheaval when the reduction is made effective. NOT A PLAGUE HAT. PERTH, May 13. The examination of the dead rat on the Dimlioola; suggested a negation of plague. The vessel |ias returned to Life uhiiri' and is loading for the East. GOLF. MEI.IJOI'HNE. May 13. The Secretary of the Victorian Golf Association expresses surprise at Kirkwood's statement that lie has not been advised if he is representing Australia, as ;■ letter to that elici t was despatched shortly after his departure, ;|,nd £\Vri was subscrj|)ed for his expenses.

JippVAKT \yOQL PEMAKD

SYDNEY, Mpv 13.

'(’lie “ Telegraph,” commenting on the aniinaljpri of the woo) market, says:—Seh|p|n has the demand for mcriuocs been so keen and widespread as to-day. iSejclom, if ever, have tlip general conditions of the market been as lavoiirahle to growers. It is truly a wonderfijl market, for ns prices go |ip, the demajid seems to widen and accentuate. Practically all sections are operating, a|l eager (o secure supplies before the season ends. Envois are unable to (ill orders in (.lie auction rooms and have beeji keen operators privately. I lip crpssbred ppsition also shows a distinct improvement, though a marked preference is rcycnlccl for liner free descriptions. The demand for very coarse Imrr.v serfs js still prejudiced by the |iijr \yeigji( of 8.A.W.1f.A. low grade crossbreds remaining open from the appraisement scliemo, yvfiicli hangs like a wet blanket over the traii|e.

SUPPOSED PLAGUE HAT. PERTH, Mnv 13.

An examination of the dead rat on the Dimlioola. suggests a. negation of plague, so the vessel returned'to the wharf, and is loading for the East.

AG ATX,ST WAGE-CUTS. SYDNEY, May 1-|

The general meeting of the engineers here yesterday carried a piotipn in fav9V\ °j resisting any recUufi.ni in their wages, or any increase ip their hours, and also undertaking to net ip eop(upetion with all the gtjier unions in their endeavour to combat any lowering of the workers’ standard of living. All (lie Sydney uniop leaders will mee( op iVfonday to discuss new wage cu(s.