AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 9 July 1926, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

[Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.J EARTHQUAKE AT GOULBURN. SYDNEY, July 8. A lieavy ■<<irtliquako shock was felt to-day at Goulburn. Houses were badly shaken. ; PRICE OF BREAD. SYDNEY, July 0. From Monday next the price of the two pound loaf of biead will he increased by a half-penny, making the cash over counter price (i!,d. The delivered increase is due to the Compensation Act, increased price of fuel, fodder, flour and risse in. men’s wages.

BUDGET PARTICULARS. MELBOURNE, July 9. Mr Page’s Budget speech disclosed that old age and invalid pensioners totalled 176 thousand. The amount paid in pensions during the year was £8,252,000. He said the Government was of opinion the present method of relief did not fulfil all the requirements. He foreshadowed the introduction of a national scheme for old age, sickness, and unemployment relief. Referring to preference he stated that during the year British preference granted Australian products totalled £1,780,000'. Explaining the Government’s policy for the maintenance of main roads, Mr Prutten. announced increased tariff duties which will operate on petrol and motor tyres, tubes, chassis and chassis parts, estimated to yield £1,.560,000 sterling. The duty on petrol is increased hy twopence per gallon, rubber tyres sixpence per pound, other tyre items fifteen per cent.