AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 6 November 1924, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

LUHTRALIAN AND N.Z. CADLK ASSOCIATION, COLONIAL SUGAR COY. tßecsived this day at S a.m.) SYDNEY, November I. The Colonial Sugar Coy showed a profit of 2921,978 for the half year as against L'O7.T,(i.T9 for the preceding twelve l mouths. Of the profits lor the half year L'lS8,(l(l!i came from Australian mills and relinerics. The earnings from investments subject to I'edcral income tax contributed 222,209 and earnings in New Zealand and Fiji and investments not subject to Federal income tax amounted to 21)1,702. A dividend at the rate of ten per cent per annum absorbs 2219,750. Ihe reserve fund is augmented hy 2100,000 and 22-) 1,708 is carried forward as against 2909,180 brought into the accounts.

(Received this day at 3 a.m.) SYDNEY, November 5

speaking at the hall yearly meeting of the' Colonial Sugar Company, M Knox, the Chairman. sa:<! the production of .sugar in the Commonwealth wouid he greatly in excess ot Australian requirements and was expected that 90.000 toils would he exported. The Government had again fixed £27 as the price for the new sugar cd the 192-1 crop and the Sugar Board had kept hack twenty .shillings per ton to provide for loss by export. In New Zealand the Government has decided to continue, at a reduced rate, the import duty on white sugar trom abroad, 'faking into account the present higher cost of work', the company was about on the same level as in 1929 and the business could he continued. In the Dominion the Company was asked to face a loss of a farthing per pound on sugar by the withdrawal of the duty when the earnings from its refineries had for ten years been less than half a farthing per pound.

AN C.NDESIIIA RI.TL SYDNEY. November 5. Acting upon a cable from New Zealand I’olico. Sydney detectives arrested Mervyu John Cudby upon his .arrival in the Manuka, lie .subsequently va.s charged with having fifteen detonators in his possession, with intent tu steal. The Magistrate, in .sentencing Cudby to six months’ imprisonment. elec|a:ed that he was an undesirable vi.stor to New South Wales. Cudby said lie was released Horn prison three months ago. lie’ seeur" work, hut the police told his employci what he was, and consequently l:.e could not. keep) a job.

CRoPLEY IXyI'IRY MORE CHARGES. SYDNEY, November 5. Mr Bicndon, Conipt:tiller of Assets and the .Lord Mayor were examined hy the Crnpley Cimmissicner. and detailed negotiations and Council discussions regarding Croplcy's lease and subsequent developments arising out of Croplcy's allcgutiors. The evidence threw' little fresh lielit on the pnsic inn. It incli. ate I that t hey considered tile agreement with Crnpley. as endorsed by the Comic i. was a good deal for both the ratepayers and Crnpley. and that both would reap good profits from a property which previously was a non-paving proposition so far as the Council was concerned. Cabinet, as the’ result of certain information in the possession of the At-torney-General. has decide d to extend the scope of the Crnpley Commission. The Premier while admitting fresh charges had been made, declined to disclose their nature.

VICTORIAN POLITICS. (Received this day at 10.25 a.m.) .MELBOURNE. Noyemher G. Negotiations which arc expected U result in the early defeat of the Victorian Labour .Ministry occurred wlkt (lie Nationalist Pally agreed lo co-op crate with the Country Party in the

formation of a composite ministry with Mr Allan as Premier. It was stipulated by tbe Nationalists, however, that the Ministry should be under the joint leadership of the Country Party leader. Mr Allan, and the leader of the Opposition, Sir A. Peacock. The Party managers of the three non-Labour groups held a lengthy conference later but, owing to a division in tbe Country Party, no decision was reached. Some members of the Country Party, it is understood, hold the view That it is inadvisable to defeat the Labour Ministry at the present tilin' as tin’ Country Party is receiving acceptable legislation from (he Labour .Ministry.

Important early developments arc

expected. INSURANCE 1111.1. REJECTED. ADELAIDE, November G. The Legislative Council rejected the Stall' Insurance Hill by thirteen to six AUREAL AGAINST SENTENCES. PERTH, November G. Notice of appeal against the sentences imposed oil the A olutntiia s clew lias been given and arrangements have been made for defendants to be granted bail. The prosecuting counsel asked that cases against the 1 niun Secretary be adjourned sine die, as there was the possibility of a settlement The request was granted.

AUSTRALIAN NAA’Y

TWO MORE CRUISERS

SYDNEY. November Mi- llruce has aniiouueed the plans and specifications for the construction of two modern light cruisers for the Australian navy for which lenders will be called in Australia it is expected, within a few weeks. Although tenders are being called here it is not exacted the result will be such as will enable the Government to have the construction carried out locally. COMPULSORY CONFERENCE CALLED. RRISHANE, November 5. The State Arbitration Court has called a compulsory conference ol the parties concerned in the overtime shipping Strike for Friday next.

VARIATION OE AWARD. MELBOURNE, November 0. Mr Justice Powers, in the Arbitration Court, was asked to vary the •innrd of the .Seamen’s Union with a view to makine its branches, as well as the governing body, responsible for strikes and job control among seamen. Argument was adjourned.

MEMORIAL TO CAPTAIN COOK MELBOURNE. November 0.

The voyage of Captain Cook along the eastern coast is to he commemorated hy the erection hy the Federal Ministry of sllitllhle memorials on prominent landmarks. One will he at Possession island and tue other at Port Hicks. The memorials consist of brass plates with raised gold lettering.

STABBING AFFRAY. MELBOURNE. Nov. 0

On the steps of the Chinese Nationalist (Tub, Little Boiirke St.. William Graham was fatally stabbed. The police estate two men under the inlliicncc of liquor went to the Chinese (Till) room. There was all altercation and the tw>> men were pushed outside the door. As they were pushed out. one was stabbed with a knife, which was found later in the wastepapor basket in the Club's room. The victim died before reaching the hospital. Harry Cock Kco was the last man seen at the door with deceased, lie was arrested, charged with murder and remanded.

X.S.W. LANDS REPORT. SYDNEY. Nov. fi. The annual report of the Department of Lauds tabled in the Assembly, stated the area of Crown Lands, available and suitable jor settlement is becoming each year diminishing in quantity, therefore it has become necesMiry to look for private estates for any extensive settlement. This year’s operations in respect to Crown and private lands resulted in a further 2.120.7-15 acres being taken up under all tenures. Under the Returned Soldiers’ Settlement Acts there was a net increase in the total area occupied ol 279,90!) acres, in comparison with the figures of the previous year. Doling the year 971 soldiers were allotted farms, making a total of 81.81!) since tin’ commencement of settlement in 1910. Of that number 1717 had transferred. forfeited or surrendered their holdings.

Land revenue for the year amounted to 21.579.1!.;:) sterling, compared with £1.581.500 for the previous year. The total number of estates acquired for dn-cr settlement to 90th. June last was IST!, of an aggregate area of 9,708.199 acres and cost £11,719.909. They were divided into 7,i1)7 bums.