AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 January 1927, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[Australian A N.Z. Cable Association.] FIRE DAMAGE. (Received this day at 11.0 a.m.) SYTJNKY, January 11. The damage at Mungo Scott’s lire is now estimated at £40,080. HOUSING SCHEME. SYDNEY, January 14. The sub-committee of the Parliamentary Labour Party reporting on tlie Government's proposed housing scheme recommended that legislation ill conformity with the report cabled on sth August, he passed immediately.

( ommissioners of the Government Havings Hank should he empowered to advance front the hanks funds up to ninety per cent of the capital cost.

It adds that the Commissioners inlormed the l committee they were prepared to advance at least an additional half million sterling in the remainder of the financial year, for a more extensive scheme over and above the £1,000,(100 which tliey estimated would lie advanced under the existing scheme. In approved eases, where the commissioner is satisfied that advances beyond ninety per cent are justified, the Government shall he responsible for the additional advances over and above ninety per cent. The commissioners should have power to grant exemption from the life insurance provisions of the scheme, where they are of opinion that hardship would result from the insistence mi such provisions.

MR LANG’S DIFFICULTIES. SYDNEY, January I I. Mr Lang is meeting so many obstacles to the establishment of child endowment, both constitutional and financial, that there is a likelihood tlmL the scheme will he held in abeyance until next session, hv which time the Government will have been enabled to find means of overcoming the difficulties. WHEAT POOL. MELBOURNE. January 14. Representatives of the wheat pooling organisations in New South Wales, South Australia and Yictoiiu discussed tlie system of selling wheat overseas, with tiie (ihicet.nl' eliminating eompeiit ion in selling Australian wheat in Loudon. The conference also dealt with the question of the advisability of introducing the Canadian system of contract 'delivery of wheat lo pools for a definite number of years. A further conference is to he held to consider making arrangements for the contract system by all States.

A I KIOTO It'S DISCOVERY. (Received this dav nt- 11.0 a.in.) SYDNEY, Jan. 11. Doctor AA'amford Aloppett, a young Sydney biologist, attached to the Cancer Research Department, of Sydney University, who is at present eu route lo the Medical Congress at Dunedin where he will read a paper, has us'klo w lmt is probably one of the most helpful discoveries yet announced in connection with the treatment of cancer. His experiments have revealed that X-ray waves of slightly different lengths have widely divergent effects upon living tissues. It is not unlikely that- when the fact is recognised that a consider-lif e improvement in the design of X-rav machines for therapeutic purposes will ensue. POLITICAL. KVPXKV, Jan. 14. Despite the decision of the Opposition not to grant pairs with Ministers, both .Mitchell and Baddeley are sailing to England next month. Tho Government anticipates the session would be ended by that time. A GRANT DECLINED. SYDNEY. Jan. 14. Sydney Smith declined to accept the Board of Control’s grant of £SO to purchase a memento in recognition of his services. 44 HOURS AYEEK. SYDNEY. Jan. 14. A meeting of the Australian Society of Engineers decided to reject a proposal to declare a strike in the metal industry, with the object of forcing employers to grant a forty-four bonis week, as an eai'y decision of the Arbitration Court in the forty-lour hours case is expected.

EX-MINISTER. DEAD. HOBART, Jan. 14. Obituary—Alexander fieri n, ex-Cabi-net Minister. He held every portfolio including Acting-Prime Minister.

lIFARING DEFERRED. MELBOURNE, Jan. 14

The Arbitration Court after hearing argument in the appeal of the AYatcrsiders’ Federation in opposition to the registration of permanent mid casual wharf labourers union of Australia referred it hack to tho deputy registrar tho appelds meantime to remain pait unhafard until the registrar reports to tho Court.

AVESTK ALTA’S POSITION. MELBOURNE, Jan. 14. Addressing the first general conference of the United Party, Senate! Lynch said he believed West Australia as it is situated to-day in a backward state of development, would ™»tin e to remain a tributary State of the ~s a vassal State was impossible. . e favoured stern action, some4»»g t ; wou-’d n,ake 4-'ke notice. SYDNEY, Jan. 14. The heat wave in Victoria and South Australia has spread to New South Wales where many high temperatures are reported, the maximum being 111 decrees at AVilcannia. MINING TROUBLE. MELBOURNE, Jan. 14.

Serious trouble at Marranbox ana Tinfields, Northern Territory is reported It is understood that the cause of the trouble was the closing down of the battery at Marranbov where the miners allege the police are engaged in espionage. A meeting of -miners demanded the withdrawal of the constable from the field and passed a number of other resolutions which the authorities regard as of so serious a nature. that special constables were sworn in. Messages received in Melbourne state the AYarden notified a representative citizens’ meeting that the Remote Act. will la? ruled until the Resolutions passed by the meeting are withdrawn. All work in the field is suspended.