AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 31 August 1923, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. A SYDNEY COLLISION. SYDNEY. Aug. 30. A motor car conveying Parliamentary officials and newspaper men home from a late sitting of Parliament in the early hours of the morning collided with a motor lorry. John Stewart Ramsay, a "Hansard” reporter was killed. W. S. Mowie (Clerk of Parliament) and two others were injured, but not seriously. AUSTRALIAN STATISTICS. SYDNEY, Aug. 30. The State Statistician’s figures show that last year £29.783,212 was paid in wages to factory employees, resulting in an output of goods valued ac L'132.,520,(1!)3. Although the "ages paid in the previous year amounted to only L'23,1)18,391, the value of the output then was £1.37.8-11.38.'1. Since IUII, the average wages of male factory workers have increased over 91) per cent, and those of females 112 per cent. THE FEDERAL FIGURES. The Commonwealth Statistician’s figures show that during 1922, the number of factories in the ('omin.suwenlth was 18,023. employing 393,12.) persons, and paying ttix.n3n.Biil ii salaries and wages. The raw materials used were valued at tl9<l, 110.233 .and the value added to these in the process of maimfai t tire was L 129,921,300, making the value of the finished products £320.331,7153. '1 he total value of the productions in all the recorded industries in Australia during the year amounted to £3l(>.(>ti2,000. or an average production of £(55 |Bs 3d per head of the population. The area under crops during 1921-22 totalled 13,337,021 acres, and the value of the produce nmounetd to T5|,889.-

Permanent employment was provided in the rural occupations for 178,1)3'! people.

Increases were recorded lor the past year in all classes of live stock. The number of cattle was 11,111,309, representing tli<) maximum number over depastured in Australia. The sheep totalled 82,220,170. and the product inn of wool amounted to (‘31,311.135 pounds valued at £31.570,130.

The total value of all the pastoral products aggregated the sum of I3i!>. 250.000.

Mining showed a reduction in value from £‘2l .(512,752 to £19,977,381, this being mainly due to the decline in gold and copper mining.

THE “AUSTRALIA’S” FATE. SYDNEY. August. 30. It is olficially announced that the battle-oruiser “Australia” ’is to ho broken it]) at Garden Island as soon as her fittings have been removed. CENSURE MOTION LOST. (Received this day at 11.15 a.m.) SYDNEY. August 31. In the Assembly, the censure motion was defeated by 17 to 35, the Country Party voting with the Government. The Adder-s' was adopted by -1(5 to 33. HIDES SALES. MFI.ItOERNE, Augnsl 31. At the Hides sales, competition was restricted and bidding was not general. All grades showing condition ajul quality were from par to a farthing lower and inferior pan-els. farthing to halfpenny lower. The personnel ol the Board ot Control of the Commonwealth Shipping is announced. Larking is chairman with a salary of £3,500. Rear-Admiral Clarkson and Robert- Farquliar U PDO each. Eitrquhar's appt intnionf l ;; , i , "!;au. ;u nine months.

SERLOES AI, REG ATMi\S. BRISBANE. August 31. Till' Reverend Patton, a New Ilebi ides missionary, in a letter conclomnaiory of the condonimn Government group, published in the press cities, several instances where French reel flits recruited native wives against tiie wishes of their husbands. In one case, lie alleges. forcible abduction cud makes cither seiinus allegations. II;. states : “I lii-baiuls have no redress and this is the condominium veil in Australia allow.” fie also states that a British subject can also recruit a woman for throe months without' the consent oi her Husband and lie supplies two instances, one with twins at the breast, the children living left in the care of a husband. GNFAIPI.OY.MENT DOLE. BRISBANE. Aug. 31. The Eneinplciyed Sustenance" Payment Act operates from the middle of September. Glider it I I*olll. hived Council may grant sustenance to anyone' who has contributed to the l ttl l cl lor six mouths, and who has been unemployed iu the Grishanc area for a fortnight. Sustenance pay is Ins week- , for unmarried men and 25s lor married. with Is additional for each child i; ,sixteen, for a maximum period fifteen weeks. Anyone who lias nor 1 oniriiMitnil tor the mil period ot six months receives a proportionate grant. The rates will vary iu the dill'crcnt areas of the State.