AUSTRALIAN.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 May 1922, Page 4

AUSTRALIAN.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION, STOATS AND WEASELS. SYDNEY, May 18. A press contention is laging round the advice given h.v Coleman I’hilljps, (a New Zealander) to a pastorniists meeting, that stoats and weasels ,should he in trod need to combat the rabbit plague. The meeting resolved to ask too Federal Government to permit their introduction. Symons, (thief Inspector of Stork declares that a similar proposal has been considered from time to time by both federal and State Governments. He says Phillips’ proposals are largely regarded as theories. Some years ago official enquiries were made in New Zealand and the inlonnatioii obtained was utterly opposed to the proposal, for the reason that introduced stoats and weasels liad quite forsaken the pursuit of rabbits, and bail become serious destructive pests to poultry and nil kinds of bird life. Later official reports from New Zealand all indicated that the only effective methods of dealing with rabbits were netting, poisoning and trapping. Froggart, Viee-l’resi- ' dent Zoological Society also issued a 1 strong warning against the danger of introducing Pliililps’ methods.

M IN [STICKS CARS, j SVDNKV, -May IS. Pol low mg considerable controversy during the past two years respecting the cost of .Ministerial motor ears, a I committee appointed by Cabinet recommended that six ears lie dispensed j with, hut the six .Ministers affected ) will he provided with a special vote : whereby taxis may be hired when necessary. The committee made a recommendation that the system he given six months trial. KDI'C'ATION LOAN. SVDNKV, May IS. Mr Hruntoll is advocating a special educational loan of a million for school renovations and repairs to many buildings. said to he in a deplorable ooinlit ion. PRICK FIGURES. SVDNKV, May IS. Indications point to a steady drop in prices. Figures prepared by the Board of Trade statistician show a typical group of men’s clothing, hoots which cost L'l7 !)s in January 1!)21 and now is £l3 Its; women’s ditto (27 Is to CIS IDs; food and groceries £2 Is 7d to Cl Sts (id. Rents have been slightly increased. RI/ILDKRS LABOURERS. SVDNKV, May 18. Owing to the Federal Arbitration award bringing wages of builders labourers within seven shillings of the c"rpenters, the master builders have decided to dispense with the former and 'employ carpenters, excepting in cases. ■ of pick and shovel men. I TIIK .MISSING BAIU.U K. : SVDNKV, .May IS. 1 The Ahemaii arrived at Ganiba, j mouth of Chirence River, cm Wcdnesjday, after a blow north a considerable distance bv boisterous southerly winds. It is thought the Maiiurcwa sliotil.f have encomiteieJ I lie same winds. A suggestion Inis been made that a seaplan • should search in case the vessel is disabled out ol the track of other vessels. J A M VSTKRIOTS DI SK ASK. ! RRISBANK. May 18. | Out ol nine cases of children admit- | led to the hospital with a mysterious ■ brain disease, seven proved fatal. The I condition of one is most, serious amll ti u other is likely to recover. j farmkrs. proposals SVDNKV, May 18 K. A. Mackenzie (president of the Pastures Protection Board) at (he annual convention said the industry w a favoured bv a good average season. A little anxiety which existed was dispelled by the -March rainfall though the prospects in tile west and north-west "'ere not bright. The depression in the meat market reflected in the cattle market and brought down the value of •'Old stock and all classes of brooding animals. A ray of sunshine permeated the wool sales.. .Merinos and oiossbreds were in exec Mont demand and l lie re were brighter prospects when Bawra accumulations disappear

FEDERAL SKAT. MELBOURNE. May IS. !l is announced that. Mr McPherson I icas.urer) is standing for the new Fiderai seat of Rankin. It is also thought Mi' Watt has eyes on it.

•SYDNEY THK((SOPHISTS. SYDNEY, .May 18

The arrival of Mrs Begant here brought to a head a trouble which for a considerable time ha s been brewing amongst tlie Sydney Theosope.lsts and tile Liberal Catholic Church, whose membership is chiefly recruited fn m am mgst the Tucosopliists. Serious clc.rgc:; ia,! Le, n made regarding certain members of the Liberal CalhoJie Church and the stall's of its self-styled bishops. It is also a bone of conten. tion that, in some ([carters, their title is regarded as bogus.

-Mi's I tenant attended a meeting at wb.e i tb ■ trouble was aired and after delivering an address on Tfieo.sopbieal dot time, she said she deprecated the circulation by the members of the Tbcosonliical (hiireli. She added that in consequence of the treatment she bad received at tile hands of the exceptive she would refuse to speak on. their platform again until the Executive was reconstructed. Till then farewell!

After Mrs liesanL’s departure, the inciting was noisy. Her action was vigorously condemned by some speakers Finally a motion was carried, amid much dissent, which justified the position of Bishop Leadbeatcr of the Tlieosopaieal Society, and as head of the Liberal Catholic Church. The meeting ended in great disorder.

BASIC WAGE QUESTION. SYDNEY, .Mav 18,

The Industrial Court has declined to grant th(> application of the master bakers tor a reduction in bread carters’

wages in consequence of the rot cut hoaril of Trade could only make one debasie wage. The court has referred the matter to the Full Court for argument on a point submitted by the unions reP e:-eir alive. This point is that the Board ol Trade could only make on declaration yearly, and that therefore the last declaration was ultra vires, and could not he enforced. It is estimated that the last two reductions in the basic wage will result in a saving of Cl ,000,000 annually Irom the wages of public servants.