AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 April 1926, Page 1

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[Australian & ]N.Z. Cable Association.] WOOL PRICKS UP. SYDNEY, April 14. The wool sales at Melbourne and Brisbane have disclosed continued keen competition. In Mellxnirue, the prices showed little alteration from last month’s closing rates, while at Brisbane super wool and scoureds were at par, and ordinary fleece wools were five per cent, higher, while the average pieces were five to seven and a half per cent higher. X.S.W. PREFERENCE DUTIES. SYDNEY, April 15. Mr Lang announced that in respect to the Government orders, a preference of thirty per cent would be given to locally manufactured articles over ytlic imported goods and in respect to RYitisli goods a preference of twenty per cent would lie given to local manufacturers. These preferences would he inclusive of the Commonwealth tariff duties and the preferences already in existence. LABOUR. CONFERENCE SQUABBLE SYDNEY, April 15. In defiance of the denouncement by the President, IV. Scale, that the Australian Labour Party Conference had been closed, over one hundred delegates reassembled at the usual hour. A vote of censure on the president was passed for his alleged unconstitutional' act in closing the conference and it was decided to demand a special conference to he held at on early date for the. purpose of considering the agenda paper which was left untouched by the conference. BUS COMPETITION TOO STRONG. MELBURNE, April 15. Owing to the effects of the bus competition and the increased running costs the Melbourne Tramways Board is unable to show a surplus and has recommended train, fares he increased. This will probably be done in the next few weeks.