AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 July 1924, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.

STUD sheep sales. SYDNEY, Julv 7 The annual stud sheep sales 'have commenced. Bidding was keen and the offerings the best submitted in recent years. Top prices for the day were realised by a merino ram fetching 550 guineas.

DOCK AT SYDNEY. „ SYDNEY, Julv 7. Bowen conferred with the Director ot Shipbuilding and Chairman of tho Commonwealth Shipping Board in regard to the construction of one or two new cruisers at Cockatoo Dock. The conference was held in camera at Afelliourne. As an alternative to building one cruiser at Cockatoo, the Government is considering a proposal to build both cruisers in England, and with the money saved, to proceed with the construction (if a great naval floating dock at Cockatoo, making Australia a potential base for capital ships of tile British Navy in war-time. It is considered likely Now Zealand would cooperate in the construction of Such a dock in Australia, and also would contribute a share of the cost. SIR J. COOK'S KNOWLEDGE OF COWS. (Received this day at 9.25 a.in.) •SYDNEY, July 8. At the Sheep Show luncheon, in irging the importance of the wool inBistry, the President said that they dumb! have, bad a representative with "'octical knowledge at the Empire Hxlibitiou to speak for it. Instead they 'ad Sir Joseph Cook, who did not now a cow Iron) a corkscrew nr a ■ corge Street jeweller. Ho was a ,ood fellow, lint a political appointee ho knew absolutely nothing about be pastoral industry.

MINING ENGINEERS. SYDNEY, July 8. I he past decade lias been notable for Gin decrease in tho number of Uni'ersity students graduating in mining ami metallurgy. Since 11)20 only one student every year has taken his degree. In this school at one time it was not uncommon for ten to twenty to graduate yearly. The Afclliourne l Diversity also has experienced a decline. A proposal has been made to enlarge the scope ol the present curriculum at the Sydney University to embrace the study of chemical engineering. AUSTRALIAN FREIGHT WAR. SYDNEY, July 8. The freight war among the Interstate steamship companies continues and it is estimated that as a result of the reductions in freight rates since October last shippers between the various ports atfecled have saved about £200.(100.

Another reduction of £'50,000 has been secured by the competitive tendering for the freighting of the Queensland sugar crop to the southern refineries.

The reductions in freight have also led to an increase in the volume of Inter-State trade, a striking instance of the reduction is being in regard to wool wliiih was formerly carried at lls lid for an ordinary hale and IDs dumped, is now quoted at 7s generally and ill some eases at Gs (Id. VICTORIAN POLITICS'. • .MELBOURNE, July 8. After a prolonged discussion the entral Executive of the Farmers' Union issued a statement that they agree tn enter a composite Ministry with the Nationalists on condition that Hie Country Party receive six portfolios, including the premiership. Unless these terms are accepted negotiations with the Nationalist Party will lie discontinued.

GRAIN STOKE BURNT. .MELBOURNE. July 8. Damage estimated at thousands - toiling "a- eatiM'd Tv a lire which destroyed a bulk store late last night. A Hood of grain poured from the hurst walls and (lowed about the locality.

PRICE OF INSULIN REDUCED. (Received this day at 10.25 a.m.) SYDNEY, July 8. The Director-General of Health announces that the juice of Insulin has been reduced from 8s Id per hundred unit- to 5s 3d and further reductions r o the hospitals make the price to them about one half-penny per unit. TRANS-TASMAN FLIGHT. MELBOURNE. July 8. At an early dale an attempt will l-e made to lly from Australia to Now Zealand by the I’ratt Brothers, of Geelong, if they can obtain a suitable dying boat. WEMBLEY ADMISSION TAN. MELBOURNE. July 8. Mr Bruce joined in the protests against the proposal to impose the amusement tax on admission to Empire Exhibition, on the grounds that it would remove any hope of a surplus. “