AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 May 1923, Page 1

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. FIRE STILL BURNING. SYDNEY, May 25. The fire is still burning at Sandown Meat Works. The damage is now estimated at £250,000. BROA DC'A STING COSTS. MELBOURNE, May 27. At the Wireless Conference, Mr Fisher stated that a broadcasting scheme, if carried out in Australia in the same way as in England, would necessitate the establishment of two hundred stations, and would eosi four millions annually. GRAZIERS’ CONFERENCE.

SYDNEY, May 25 The Graziers’ Conference resolved in favour of the Federal and State Governments taking steps to expand and stabilise the markets lor primary products at home and abroad, and to ensure the standardisation of exported products. The Conference also favoured tho installation of up-to-date methods of wireless telephony and the wireless broadcasting of news.

N.S.W. COAL DISPUTE. SYDNEY, May 20. Advices from Newcastle say that an attempt was made to blow up a bridge on tt private railway line near 'Whitburn Colliery, in Greta, so as to prevent coal that is at Grass from being shifted 'by free labour. Traces of gelignite were found, but little damage. was done. FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND SOLDIERS. MELBOURNE, May 27. Mr Bruce, Federal Premier, communicated with the returned soldiers, intimating that all negotiations with the Government would he broken off till their motion that tho Ministry are m t sincere in their soldiers’ policy is rescinded. Tho soldiers’ President has replied that the motion would not be rescinded till concrete proof is forthcoming that the Government is sincere.

BROADCASTING NEWS. AUSTBA LI A X DEC' 1S I'ON. MELBOURNE, May 20. The Wireless Conference passed a resolution in connection with the appointment of a hoard to administer the regulations to the effect that it shall comprise representatives of the Government, broadcasting stations, mamilaeLurers, traders, and the Press. It also was agreed that the conicrenee recognises the necessity of protecting the principle of property in news. A memorandum prepared by members of the Press was accepted. It recommended that a condition, of every license issued be that every licensee shall recognise the exclusive ownership of news or intelligent' ecollecteil by any news service, by a full acknowledgment ,f its use by a lull consent in writing beforehand, and uiion such payment as might be agreed to between the licensee and the newspaper or the agency concerned. Regulations were agreed to for determining the number of wave lengths to be allotted for broadcasting purposes, these to he selected in respect to the suitability of stations of various powers, am! also regulations for tho standardisation of receiving apparatus. The retailers of apparatus must keep a record of all the equipment sold, and any person 'dealing in or using wireless equipment without a license is 1,, be subject to ail adequate penalty. The conference affirmed that there be preference given to Australian, British ami foreign manufacturers in that order. ’The Federal Postmaster-General stated that he will consider tho conference decisions forthwith, and will frame regulations for broadcasting at the earliest opportunity. .Mr Fiske, the expert, said it would cost U 1,000,000 a year to broadcast in Australia on the lines in vogue in England, and 200 stations would need to he established.

HOTELS DESTROYED. BRISBANE, May 27. Two hotels and other premises were destroyed by lire at Uhillagoe. The damage totals L'12,000. FUNERAL OF DR MAITLAND. BRISBANE, May 27 The funeral of he late Dr Mintland was a remarkable tribute to the memory of the eminent surgeon. All professions and callings were lOpibsentecl in a lengthy cortege. Large crowds lined the route to tho comlory. ELECTR IC' POWER SOURCES. MELBOURNE, May 27 The Australian Premiers Conference has adopted aresolut ion in fat < r of investigating the electrical pow-.-i sources of the various States, with a view to their development oit a siaulni used basis.