AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 October 1924, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

UJBTIiAMAN AND N’.Z. CAIILE ASSOCIATION MARRIAGE BILL THROWN OL'L. SYDNEY, October 2. The legislative Council .negatived the .Marriage Amendment Bill by 29 to 27 alter a warm debate over the Ne T,uncie clause ,iud a < laiise proposing to validate .< marriage with a deceased wile’s sister. Ilie debate was marked by the re| ctition of the much used arguments which were strongly perineati**.l wit 1 ' iharifi-'s oi st'ctanaiii- Hi and iut.ei-fereiUs' with religions liberty. It is rumoured that the Government may appoint a new hatch of councillur.s to ensure the passage of the hill.

A ITS I'll Aid AX PROHIBITION REFERENDUM. (Received tli is day at 9 a.m.) SYDNEY. Oct. 3. Tiie Premier declined the request ol llie New South Wales Alliance to take .steps to alter the date of the proposed referendum on oioliihitiou from 1923 ti 1927, on tlu- ground that he had m reason to believe that Parliament would alter its decision in fixing 1928.

TO STRIKE AT HARVEST TIME SYDNEY. Oct. 3. According to a statement issued by the President of the Australian 'Yorkers' Union that his organisation is cons', luring a proposal to strike at the forthcoming harvest, which promises tu l.e the most bountiful for some years, unless the claims for a substantial increase in rates lor all Harvest woikers is granted. Attempts to negotiate with the farmers, the President states, . lm\o been fruitless and will he discontinued, and direct action taken unless the demands are conceded. WHEAT RATES INCREASED. SYDNEY. Oct. 3. Wheat handling and shipping firms lm've increased t.heir rates n penny |litlf|!f-liny (ter liuiitlrvfi lifig-i

MINISTERIAL TRAVELLING EXPENSES. BRISBANE, Oct. 3. The list of Ministerial travelling expenses for the year 1923-21 which was tabled in tlie Assembly shows, the total travelling expenses of all Ministers, including the cost of the trips of Afv Theodore and Air Jones to England, was £oooo. Air Theodore’s visit to America and England cost £2900 and Air Jones’ £lll2. PRODUCE PRICES. .MELBOURNE. Oet. 3. Oats. •„*> (id to 3s ; barley (English) -Is to Is (id; potatoes. Cl "s (id to £2; onions. £2O to £22. JAPS AFTER WHEAT. SYDNEY, Oet. 3. Japan is seeking to place extensive orders on the wheat market, and i.s prepared to take many thousands of tons. The “ Daily Telegraph ” says that the Japanese orders received yesterday were of a size which did not allow of them being completely entertained. Tlie paper adds that the wheat trade i.s wondering what is at the hack of this exceptional demand from the East. The idea is prevalent that the cause might lie found, in Japan’s threat to intervene in the Chinese trouble. A.M ATE l'R BON IND CHAMPIONSHIP. SYDNEY, (let. 3. Though no Australasian amateur boxing championships will he held this year.diving to the 1923 agreement with New Zealand terminating, the officials controlling the Australian championships are confident that the\ will be revived next year.