AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 August 1926, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.] AUSTRALIAN TRADE. (Received day at 9.0 a.m.) SYDNEY, August 9. Mr Page, speaking at the Commercial Travellers’ dinner said of Australia’s trade, forty-three per cent was done with Britain, and sixteen per cent with. America. Australia’s trade with Britain was evenly balanced. Last year Britain sent six-nine million sterling worth of goods to Austrlia, which sent exports to the same value to her. America, however, sent Australia thirty-nine millions sterling worth of goods but bought only nine million worth from Australia. Her export trade to Australia was twenty-six per cent of the Commonwealth's total imports, while Australian exports to her were only 5] per cent of the total. PAN-ASIATIC CONFERENCE. SYDNEY, August 9. The Japanese Consul-General has received a cable from the Foreign Office, Tokio, stating the so-called Pan-Asiatic Congress about which there were several cables last week was organised by a. body of men, including Imarzto, a private member of the House of Representatives. There was a very small attendance and the proceedings received no serious attention. A QUERY. SYDNEY. August 9.

Addressing a meeting at Cnnowindra in reply to questions why the- Government accepted private companies rates under the Workers’ Compensation Act, instead of the Queensland Government figures Mr I.oughliii (Minister of Lands) said compared with Queensland rates those in N.S.W. were ridiculously. immensely high and certainly would have, to bo reduced. Mr Hoad (Labour member) explained that .Mr Lang was personally responsible for the acceptance of the private rates, without consulting the party. It was undoubtedly a mistake. An enquiry was proceeding to ascertain to what extent the rates could be reduced.