AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 15 June 1926, Page 1

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.] EMPIRE TRADE. (Received this day at 10.15 a.m.) MELBOURNE, Juno 15. Referring to the sharp decline in British trade this year, the total diminuition of which to the end of May compared with the sarfce period of last year reached 118 million sterling, Mr Bruce says: “The position is calculated to cause concern to British communities in other parts of the world, especially since they realize the extent to which their own economic future is bound u]> with that of Britain. I can only hope for a corresponding realisation in'Great Britain of

the extent to which her future trading prosperity is bound up with her oversea dominions. 1 am inclined to think the question of development of Empire trade is too commonly regarded

in Britain as a matter which affects Oversea Empire primarily, and Britain herself only secondarily, but I cannot emphasise too strongly the point that this is a matter in which the interests are reciprocated. No ne can hell whether a decline in Britain’s foreign trade is temporarily or

partly permanent, but of one tiling there is no doubt, that Empire trade forms a steadily increasing proportion of the total oversea trade of tbs United Kingdom.” N.S.W. AGENT-GENERAL. (Received this day at 10.15 a.m.) SYDNEY, June 16. Referring to the appointment of Lord Chelmsford as Agent-General for N.SAY. until a permanent appointment has been made, Mr Lang said ho was opposed to political appointments. Lord Chelmsford bolds office on similar terms to bis predecessor, the late C'ogblan, namely, a salary of £IBSO sterling and allowances of £BOO. The appointment has- received general commendation from all parties. A DENIAL. MELBOURNE, June' 16. Officials of the Australian Labour Party emphatically deny there is any truth in the. .statements published in Sydney to the effect that the Federal executive of the party would probably expel Mr Charlton and other leaders from the party for the stand they have taken in regard to the proposed referendum on the alteration of the Federal Constitution.