AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 January 1925, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[IY TEI.KO It AT II —mil PRESS ASSOCIATE,I.] STEAMER ASHORE. BRISBANE. January 22. A message from Thursday Island states the steamer Havre, from Singapore to Brisbane, is ashore on King Island. No details arc available. DE-REGISTRATION HEARING. MELBOURNE. January 22. The Arbitration Court to-day commenced hearing the employers’ application for the deregistration of the Seamen’s Union. Mr Tom Walsh, on behalf ef the seamen applied for an adjournment lor two days, as he was not fully seized of the facts, and he wanted to go through the affidavits. Air Justice Powers refused the application. but said tliat lie would adjourn the case until Friday morning which was the only time he could give tho award. Tf they ignored his inslruc- ■ lions their registration would he cancelled, and the award destroyed. AWARD IiEU USED. SYDNEY, Jan. 23. After lengthy consideration the Sydney branch of the Seamen’s Union decided not to accept Air Justice Power’s award, insofar as it affected the pick-ing-up* dispute at 11 1 is; port. The it*solution was-.carried by only a small majority, alter a stormy meeting. The Union meets again to-day to consider the position further. FRUITGROWERS SEEKER. SYDNEY, Jan. 23. The fruitgrowers are .suffering considerable loss owing lo the shipping strike and in one consignment alone the loss was nearly £2,000, while prices in the Sydney market are at least two to three shillings per case lower than usual, owing to all tho local fruit being forced into the one channel. TAXATION COMMISSION ENQUIRY C<)AiAITSSI(IN EH- ENONKK ATKD. (Received this day at 1 1.2 d a.m.) SYDNEY. Jan. 23. The report of tlm Royal Commissioner which inquired into the charges made by Sculleii, respecting the noncolloctioii of land fax and his allegations regarding favouritism towards tinlarge land holders, says that although Kidman (the cattle Icing) have been prosecuted for failure to send in returns, for he must accept responsibility for his avent's delault. the Commissioner of Taxation was not guilty in failing to prosecute him. It is not correct to say. the report adds, that the present Government has ruthlessly pursued persons who have a small amount of land tax and is less strict in collecting tax from those who are assessed for large sums. (I he big pastoralists had no advantage in this regard as compared with the struggling fanner and small land owner.

The correct amount of outstnu ling land tax on 30th. June last was .12. 0.->7.882. debtors to the Commissioner of Taxation numbering -1,7-IG. of which 3707 each owed less than £RX). The persons who are not paying taxes are mainly Crown lessees, and the amount due on freehold property subject to this qualification is £38.2,0,0. The Royal Commissioner states tliat he is satisfied that in no ease has the Commissioner ol luxation improperly refrained from instituting prosecution. In one case alone no reason lor iiiinproseciitioii is given, viz., in the i aso of Kidman.

PRODUCE PRICES. .MELBOURNE. Jan. 23. Oats-—milling 2s I’d. 2s Kid; Iced 2s 7d. 2s Bd. Barley—English 7s. 7s Id: Cape, os Bd. Potatoes—£-1. £•> RL. Onions—£o 10s. CG los. INFLUX OF ALIENS. MELBOURNE. Jan. 23. Senator Pearce informed a deputation that in order L> check the influx ol alien emigrants, their landing money would bo increas'd from £l3 to £!0 after the 30tli. March.