AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 May 1923, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. THE PREMIERS’ CONFERENCE MATTERS DEALT WITH. (Received this day at 11.45 a.m.) MELBOURNE, May 25. The Premiers’ Conference agreed that the Federal Government should withdraw, and defined the area of the field of taxation in lieu of the per capita payments. The States’ Treasury officials are to determine the extent of the field to he evacuated. ft was also agreed to ask the British Government to co-operate with the Commonwealth with regard to a policy of immigration, in the direction of giving substantial contributions towards interest on loans for the States, for the settlement of immigrants. Tho Conference also agreed on olio electoral authority, the Federal and State statistical offices to propound ihe best scheme for adopting it.

PROF. DAVID’S APPEAL. SYDNEY, AI ay 20. Professor David, addressing the Graziers’ Conference appealed for support in establishing a solar radiation station, Gaining the great advantage the man on the laud would obtain through accurate weather forecasts, a reasonable time ahead, and the possibility of forecasting drought cycles. The Conference recommended the Graziers’ Association to contribute not less than £IOOO to the object. WIRELESS BROADCASTING. MELBOURNE, May 25. A conference of representatives of companies and organisations interested in wireless broadcasting, convened by Air Gibson (Postmaster-General) lias opened. Air Gibson said broadcasting should prove a valuable asset to the community, but unless it were properly organised and conducted, it might result in chaos. He hoped the conference would evolve a scheme and suggest Regulations agreeable to all parties. .Mr Holtz (General Alannger of tho Argus newspaper) said newspapers mid news distributing agencies "ere gravely concerned in the proposal of news distributing. The collection and preparation of news involved great expense, and when made public should not become tho property of a broadcasting Coy., to incorporate in its service. No objection would bo made to supplying news for broadcasting i n a paper business basis. The.'Conference agreed to affirm the principle of establishing decentralised, broadcasting services and giving authority to independent companies to undertake those services on a commercial 'basis. X committee was appointed to draft regulations. The Conference to-morrow will consider a .scheme submitted by Air Fisk (Managing Director of the Amalgamated Witless).

GREETING BY WIRELESS. (Received this day at 11.45 a.m.) MELBOURNE, .May 25. The wireless conference forwarded uu Empire Day greeting to the King, adding that wireless should be the means of binding the Huuimun;. to the Aloihcrlaiid.

A BIG FIRE. (Received this day at 12.-15 p.m.) SYDNEY, May 25. A fire at Cooks destroyed large quantities of frozen meat, tallow, hides and valuable machinery. The inflammable nature of the wooden buildings and contents made the scene most spectacular. Some of the buildings were fourstoreyed. The loss is covered by insurance. EAH’IRE DAY. SYDNEY, Alay 25. Empire Day was loyally celebrated throughout the country and other ptates. MEAT WORKS DESTROYED. SYDNEY, -May 23. 'Hie Snndown Aleut AAorks, owned In John Booke and Company. Paramatta, comprising several weatherboard structures, was destroyed by fire. 1 ' 1( - air * is estimated io he between £l(,o,ofM and £200,000. KELLY AIURDKR TRIAL MELBOURNE. May 28. The jury disagreed iu the Kelly murder trial.