AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 25 May 1923, Page 1

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION DAVIS CUP TEAM. SYDNEY, May 24. Word has been received from Hawaii that the Davis Cup match will he played at New York. The team sails on the second of June, by the Afaknra. I PROHIBITION ISSUE. J SYDNEY, May 24. The Presbyterian Assembly reaffirmed its adherence to prohibition without | compensation, the amendment to delete the last two words being defeated. SURGEON DEAD. ! SYDNEY, Alay 24. Obituary—Sir Herbert Alaitland, surgeon, who died suddenly. NOXIOUS WEEDS. SYDNEY, May 21. A representative conference of rural bodies discussed the eradication of noxious weeds. It decided that as weeds were noxious in one district and utilised for feeding purposes in another, it was impossible to have uniformity, but it was agreed that tlie worst cases he declared noxious throughout the State.

CABINET DECISIONS. MELBOURNE, May 24. The Commonwealth Government has decided to retain the Bay Liners and sell the cargo steamers and ex-enemy I boats. Cabinet also decided to amalgamate the activities of Garden and Cockatoo Islands, the latter to become the only Government shipbuilding yard for tbe Commonwealth. Garden Island is to be retained as a store. PREMIERS’ CONFERENCE. MELBOURNE, Alay 24. The Premiers Conference adjourned til! this afternoon to enable the Treasurers to discuss the means of overcoming the taxation impasse. The Conference reaffirmed its previous decision to terminate the issue of tax free loans after December. COLD STORAGE AT SINGAPORE.

SYDNEY, Alay 24. A new cold storage business, financed mainly by Australian graziers, capable of accommodating 20,000 cattle car cases has been established at Singapore.

FOOD PRICES INCREASE. SYDNEY, Alay 24. Compared with April 1922, the prices of food and groceries in the various States show an increase, the highest being 7.9 per cent in New South Wales compared with July 1914. Present prices in thirty cities and towns show an average increase of 52 per cold;. AUSTRALIAN A [EAT. SYDNEY, May 24. Air Swift, head of tlie American packing firm of that name, states that Australian meat is not nearly as good as Argentine. He advocated the need for improved breeding and feeding methods, and strongly urged dehorning, mentioning that in New Zealand the freezing works noticed a good deal of bruised meal due to a want of this precaution.

N.S.'W. .MIXERS. SYDNEY, 3lay 24. At it conference between the Southern coal owners and the minors, the former granted the men s demands for increases in payment for certain work, but refused their other claims. The men at ate they were well satisfied with (he wav their claims Intel boon dealtw i lit. .Meanwhile (he position on liic northern field is unchanged. DfSTRIUUTION OE COAL. .MELBOURNE, .May 24. At the Premiers’ Conferonee, -Mr |:i lice .Federal .Premier) stated with reference to the coal dispute in X.S. Wale-, that the Commonwealth had a certain stock of coal, and the Commonwealth realised that it was impera-

tive that certain puhlie utilities and State activities should he carried out. The Commonwealth was prepared to allocate coal Lu the Stales to enable them in carry on necessary activities, and the Chu eminent had appointed a commissi, in to advise on the. distribution of coal in the States. PP ESBYTKRI AN ASSEMBLY. SYDNEY. May 21.

A majority of the Presbyterian State Assemblies, having failed to support the proposed scheme <>i Church anion, the Cleneral Assembly has resolved that a further proposed vote oi' the congregations on the subject be not taken, as it would be legislatively futile. In the meantime, the Presbyterian Church will undertake co-operation with the other negotiating churches. A special meeting of the Assembly will he held at an early date to deal further with the subject.