AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 September 1923, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CARLE ASSOCIATION

A TRAGIC ENDING

(Received this day at 11.45 a.m.) SYDNEY, Sept. 25.

A tragedy is reported from North I.ambtou. A miner named William Parsons accused William Henderson of causing trouble between himself and Jiis wife and after a fierce struggle, bystanders sepaiatoii the men. Parsons then lu-hod away and returned with a shot gun. shooting Henderson dead. Subsequently Parsons was lound in a knt siill'eriiig from strychnine poisoning. He was sent to the hospital but i- in a critical condition.

BENNY POST AG F

AUSTR.AI.LVS ATTITUDE

MELBOURNE. Sept. 21

Australia’s action regarding New Zealand’s penny postage is regarded as a dug in the manger policy. Ihe Postmaster-General and the Secretary of the Postal Department are absent and consequently an official view is unobtainable. Outside opinion regards the move as inexplicable as the New Zealand reduction cannot affect the Commonwealth. One inlcrence is that the Commonwealth is not in sympathy with the New Zealand action, fearing a similar reduction will he demanded in Australia. ROOFING SLATE DUTY. (Received this day at 12.25 p.m.) SYDNEY, Sept. 25. A deputation waited on the Tarifl Board to oppose a reduction in the duty on roofing slates. I hey stated that a company formed with a capita, of £399,(10:) lutd undertaken considerable developmental works to enable the production of slate requirements lot the Eastern States. It was pointed out that any reduction in the duty would he detrimental to local industry. The Chairman of the Board said that the policy of the Hoard was not lo cripple local industry. They would consider all phases of the question.

AUSTRALIAN TOBACCO LEAF

AGREEMENT BEACHED

SYDNEY. -Sept. 25

An agreement Inis been reached between the tobacco manufacturers and the Australian growers, the Directois of Hw former agreeing to purchase 'or the next three years three "lil.ious worth Fo Hue cured leaf of approved quality. Half of the amount is to lie allocated to \ ietoria. The British Australian lohaeeo Coy., will advance 93.799 in the course ol toe next two vears to growers for the erection of Hue barns. The Company which previously decided to purchase any sun and air dried leal, seventy-tin ce |.‘‘l cent whereof is produced in northern New' South Wales, agreed to purchase this vear one third of the amount purchased in 1923 and next year one fourth hut will discontinue purchase m l.)- >. ADMINISTRATION OF SAMOA. (Received this day at I—■ • > p.m A SYDNEY. Sep. 25. Mr Cobcrol't, a Samoan plantation manager, who is vi-itiug Sydney, pays ■i hi<di tribute to the efficiency ol the admbiislration by the New Zealand Government. He -ay. that the islanders arc happy under the methods applied The Administrator has gained the confidence of all. The plantations arc ill good order, and production is

better than under German management. Everything possible in the way of medical attention, improved hind and sea communications, and in other tliioetions. is being done for the betterment of conditions generally. Taken all round, the islands are much holier managed than when under the Gorman regime. bell-bird colliery RESUMING. SYDNEY. Sept. 25. The seals at the month ol two now tunnels in Bcllbiid cclliei.v have he. u broken. A party entered the mine in readiness to resume work. 'I he old colliery has been sealed off by concrete being poured down a series ol boxes. 11,,. workmen elected brattice across rile tunnel to a new pit. where a (hive led to the old tunnels to prevent the spreading of any had air coming from the mine? The concrete stoppings proved successful, there being no leakages irom the old tunnel into the new . A lan has been elected, and as soon as the buildings are erected over it, work will lie resumed. TASMANIAN POLITICS. HOBART, Sept. 25. G. shields. Mayor "f Launceston, a Nationalist lias been selected to fill the Assembly vacancy caused by the rcsiguiition cjT Mr Hsiyrs. A i SYR ALI A'S AM USEM ENTS. EIGHT MILLION'S SPENT.

MELBOI'ItXE. Sept. The Federal Treasury amusement tax returns show tlmt. approximately, eight million sterling was spent. w amusements in the Commonwealth last year, moving; tortures still ''Ctninn G favouritism. The total mlm > « ■ from all si.i.r.-t-s exceeded a lmn-l. million, whereof mt.hon repn •> ut • atteiulauees at pictures. Ilientu nltemlatires were 10.1 millions ami f/,.', millions, Concert taxaUm. i.idu. tel scant pntnmaßi'. <> nl > ~ received. Dancing and skating taxation amounted to £:i ; T.(»l

I’I’OI’OSKD All? ST-VI IDN. MKI.IIOI'IiNI'.. Sept, go The Federal Public Works Committee is eimuiriiiK into a proposal to mot t an 'zrJi -i, „t signed for aireralt work, and m.l •'! net as a repair demit.

f'XFUIt TO M STIIAI lAN.". I’Firrif. Sept. •-). Mr Gibson, eommenting on the |»£»uiiy postage controversy, said that it won . I” unfair for Australia to carry .eu Zealand letters with pcnn\ I '' l ; 7 1 while Australians tliemse.ves weie • polled to pay a higher rate.