AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 July 1923, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. THE SUMATRA ENQUIRY OPENS. this day at S a.m.) SYDNEY. July 27. The Sumatra inquiry has opened under the presidency of Judge ( ohen. A representative of the Maritime Unions was present hut as soon as he learned that the inquiry was confined io the Sumatra he withdrew.

PRODUCE PRICES. (Received this day at ft a.m.) SYDNEY. July 27. Oats: Algerian 'feed) Insinnuia, Is bd. Is sd : while Is (Id. I ftd. Maze.- -Local yellow- and white 5s bd, South African 4s !td, 5-. Potatoes.—Tasmanian. Cl 3 to '-'lb. Onions. Vino: ion. £6 to £4 Ids. ADELAIDE. July 27. Oats. Agerians 'feed) As 2d, 3s 3d.

ELDER Al. El NANCE. MELBOURNE. July 27. In the House of Repireseiitativeii Mi Earl Page delivered hi- Budget, speech, lie stated that although there was an estimated deficit of £2.705. lld oil last year's Budget, the savings in departmental expenditure and the increase in receipt - from cu.-tniiis and excise duty resulted in a surplus of £1.112(1.150. The total revenue lor the year aniuunt-,-I in £6 1.721*.(135 and the expenditure Ha- L'b,'l.7oo, I>s. 'the finances for the year increased on the anticipated amount In- £3,725.0’.1 lie accumulated surplus revenue was now £7.128,571. and the total estimated expenditure for the coining year i- L’b! ,896,098, a decrease of 21 .SIJ I .687 on last years. The estimated revenue amounts to Lull,!• 1d.250 or £2.777.3*5 less that, last year. Other figures forecasted are -o far mu-hanged. AUSTRALIAN AIR EUR'. E. MELBOURNE. July 27. It is unofficially slated that the Government has decided to scrap the contentious Air Eoree Bill and substitute in it- place a measure emaueipat oig t he air force trom the control of army headquarters.

OBITUARY. (Received this day at If. 15 a.m.) SYDNEY, duly 27. David .Mills, director of the Union Steam-hip Coy. ( OST DE A .MILES. SYDNEY. July 27. Eisk, of the amalgamated wireless, in a statement said as a result ot wireless communieat ion soon to be established between Australia and other countries of the world, the cable companies would have uppusi t uni which would probable tuung about a reduction in the cost ot cables by one third.

TRAWLERS SOU). SYDNEY. July 27. It is slated the New South Males Government has sold two trawlers to a New Zealand, purchaser. HIDES PRICES. MELBOURNE. July 27. At the hides market prices wore again irregular. Stouts and hides with substance were unchaug.-.1. other sorts lull'd to sell at it regular value-. PARLIAMENTS OPEN. ADELAIDE. July 27. The third session of Parliament was opened bv the Governor. PERTH. July 27. The West Australian Parliament was opened bv the Governor, who forecasted the redi ,i ribut ion of seals. A LIQUOR BILL. BRISBANE, July 27. Government considered in committee the Liquor Reform Bili, advocating fie hours ot licensed premises he eight till eight. The debate wa- adjourned 111! next week. I HE FEDERAL BUDGET. NEW PROPOSALS. (Received this day at 12.25 p.m.) MELBOURNE, July 27. Ti e Budget provided lor an increase in the ..‘ld age and invalid pensions by 2s (id weekly bringing the pensions up to 17s (id. involving a total additional ex| emliture of £1.13(5.000 per anmini. The new letter rates will allow an ounce to ho carried fir thiee halfpence where:'s' the '.:! 1 1 uvo-penny rates carried only half an ounce.

proportionate reductions are made in regard to other po-tal matters. These, with certain changes in the telephone service, entail ilm surrender of a million of levi'itue annually.

Aim-mrst other proposals are the appointment of commissions to enquire j.ito the questions of national insurance. and mnlernitv allowance, the question of the abolition of the land tax -ill Crown leases, and the imposition of a flat rate if h in the pound in companies instead oi the 11 iii.li.s----t ribute.l profits. Income tax is estimated to yield thir-

teen million which i- more than a million above la-t year mid customs re-, venue £29.000.b00. _ ] | van expenditure for tite coming ; vr i- i- l M * 9 tii.HOB including live milium iYr“=dv..nces t„ States Urn immigration. Loans falling due for teaemptinn or conversion during, the year total 40.0* I- | 009. , , i 'l'll,,' ore.--; national debt at tee end j , i' lUt'year was £'. 11.030.000 whereof | £363.000.090 accrued Ire,to war o: era-j C- inmenve dill Snipping L. u | ;n l the Cemmeuw eallh I’n'd* :” 1 ' do j j,l."rd under hoards ot directors. j -11,. s- debt -of the State am. j < annum wealth combined; amount to e870.0C0.(U0 or £jl Ilu',ui1 lu ' ,ui ‘ popuhtiiou. established \ Loan t omicd ha- ‘“ t n f„; the co-ordination a-’d flotation of Commonwealth State loatmTi:e Governmem will continue its polj( V j-., r j. ttraetieable. of getting on a of trade ventures. Mr Earl Pago claimed that the te- „ .‘-Sion of taxation for the pn«t md current year would total :C1,9H0.G00ii.vainst this I here has heen increases in expenditure tonu'-ug e*2 681,1100. , Hiring 1922-23 the Connnonwenlth was reduced » ' OO'L , Mr Ear! Bam* declared that the ! world's economic outlook was dep.c-s- ---; and it behoved Au-tralia to h.oK j the facts in the 'face and to take every I possible precaution to consolidate am | strengthen her position. It "as tm- ! ."Tuive that the papulation shoual lie ! ,1" .-eased and that producer- should i Wise.