AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 March 1924, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

BY TELEGRAPH PRESS ASSN., COPYRIGHT, AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. BUTTER. A VISITOR’S OPINION. (Received this dav at 9.-15 a.m.) SYDNEY, March 19. Mr Meat's, General Manager of the Coastal Farmers Co-op. Society, interviewed on his return from the inquiiy into New Zealand's dairying industry, said he was strongly impressed with the solidly entrenched position, the nourishing condition and the rapid extension of the industry there. He was also impressed with the fertility of the dairying lands and the high ratio of production. What most of all impressed him, in comparing New Zealand with Australia, was the intelligent concentration by the hulk of the farmers of the Dominion upon a greater production per cow and per acre, and a determination to upliglit by standardisation the quality of their products. Intrinsically in favour and manufacture. Australia’s choicest butter is equal to anything lie saw in New Zealand, hut the average quality o.f New Zealand butter was much higher. The fundamental factor in this development was New Zealand’s better rainfall, hut the soil and country as a whole did not impress him as better or richer than Australia’s dairying areas. Indeed rather the reverse.

GERMAN" CONSUL IN AUSTRALIA. SYDNEY, March 19. Doctor Busing, the first German Consul appointed to the Commonwealth since the war, arrived from Canton where for two years he has acted as Consul. He said he realised the task before him was not easy hut he was not without hope, lie would he able to reopen cordial relations with Australia and Germany and his desire was to strive for both countries. MURRAY SENTENCED TO DEATH. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) SYDNEY, March 19 Murray was found guilty of the murder of Banker Borrimnii with a strong recommendation to mercy on account of his war services. The sentence of death was pronounced. SYDNEY WOOL SALES. SYDNEY, March 19 , At the wool sales good sorts maintained their position hut faulties were dull and irregular. COMMITTED FOR TRIAL. SYDNEY, March 18. .Tames Mantel (cabled Feb. 7th) was committed for trial on a charge of feloniously shouting his wife, who lias now recovered from her wounds. The evidence disclosed sordid details arising out of the woman’s relations with another man. OIL SALTING CHARGE. PERTH, March 19. Thompson.- cabled on 31st January, was found guilty with tho greatest Ihissiblo recommendation to mercy. The Judge in sentencing prisoner to six months’ hard labour, said he thought Thompson had been the tool oT a very much greater criminal, Rotlikell, who was still at large. COAL MINE TROUBLES. SYDNEY. March 10. Owing to trivial disputes, ten collieries in the Northern Field are idle and 1850 miners are unemployed. STEAMER LAID Up. SYDNEY. March 19. The Commonwealth liner Fordsdale. the largest ship built in Australia, which was to have commenced her maiden voyage yesterday is laid up indefinitely by the Commonwealth Shipping Board. The action is the result of the Seamen’s Union claiming the right to select the crew by tho ballot system. The owners refused to grant, this and sent an ultimatum to the men stating the only crew engaged would I><* selected by the owners and failing .suitable men offering the vessel would he laid up indefinitely. As only the ballot men offered, this was accordingly done. TRAIN DISASTER ENDUI RV. BRISBANE. March 19. Giving evidence at the inquest on the victims of the Mount Perry disaster, cabled on 18th. Fob. one of tho passengers stated the train maintained an excessive speed, and did not reduce speed on the curves or grades. Passengers standing on the carriage platform vc re continually thrown about. VICTORIAN CABINET. MELBOURNE. March 19. Air Lawson lias formed a new Cabinet, Mr Lawson is Premier and Treasurer: Air Robinson. AttorneyGeneral and Solicitor-General ; Air Peacock, Education, Labour and l'orestry; Air A.rgyle. Chief Secretary, and Alims':?]- of Healthy Air Oman. Lands and Inimigratinn ; .Mr Eggkton. Runways and Assistant-Tronsui nr : Al. Cohen, Works and Alines; Mr Coodoii. Agriculture and AVater Supply. Also four honorary Ministers, Messrs Groves. lintrdinore, McGregor and Brawn. BUSH TIRES. PERTH. Mr ieh 19. Serious bush fires for the past week in the south-western district destroyed many homesteads and devastated miles of country, causing enormous damage.