AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 March 1927, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[Australian «fc N.Z. Cable Association.]

N.S.W. POLITICS. -SYDNEY. Aiarch 11. In the Assembly when the Basic Wage Bill with the Council’s amendment came up for discussion Air Lang moved that the House disagree with the amendment, hut appoint a Committee con'.isting of five members each Irom Government and Opposition to eonler with ti e Council’s representatives on the mailer of basic wage and child endowment. Ife said he made the suggestion in a spirit of conciliation with the object of reaching an

arnica hie conclusion. Mr Bavin divided the House and the proposal was carried by (2 to 35. The Conic il .subsequently accepted the proposal and appointed ten representatives for a conference next Tuesday.

SYDNEY MILK SUPPLY. SYDNEY. .March 10. The Assembly is discussing the .Metropolitan Alilk Bill, under which it I is proposed that the Government will , create a Hoard for the organisation j am! distribution of milk in the luetro- ! politan area, consisting of represenlaI lives of the producers and consumers, j the former holding a majority on the I Board, which will have the power to lix prices, allocate blocks for dislribtl- ■ linn, regulate transport., make a levy on milk for the creation of a fund to acquire any interests that might he necessary and raise loans against assets. Its dtuies also would include the grading of milk, the distribution of sealed containers, the eliminating of wasteful and uuhygenic methods, and the carrying out of research relating to milk and its products. In moving the second reading, lion. Air Dunn (Minister of Agriculture) said the value of the milk sold in Sydney was £2,200.099 per annum. Of j (his the producers get £BOO.OOO. and! the retail vendors £' ; S3.oo|). The main purpose of tho Rill was Ihe regulation of the trade. The Board would not go into the trade if the present organisations were brought up to the standard required. The present, bill was really a (h,allonge to tho existing organisations to perfect their methods.

AF NT RADIAN POLITICS. MELBOURNE, .March 10. lo the Federal House to-day there was a slashing attack bv Air W. AT. Hughes tex-Riemier) on the Prime Alinislor. Air Bruce, lor seeking to force the States Grants Bill through the House without ally mandate from the people. This attack has rendered the position still more tense. The debate is progressing. The Government’s position is regarded as dubious. NEW GUINEA GOLD. SYDNEY, Aiarch 10. A steamer to-day brought hero from New Guinea fourteen thousand ounces of gold, valued al ihiriy-iivc thousand pounds sterling. This is one of the largest shipments of gold vet made from New Guinea gold Helds. A number of Illinois, however, who have been unable to obtain leases on the fields, have returned. There is a considerable mini her more of disappointed men waiting lo obtain passages hack. Some ..f those who returned declare that the reports of the richness of the field have been greatly exaggerated. The- prospectors are building great hopes of better transport, and thereby widening the prospects of exploring the gold hearing area, when aeroplane transit, commences towards the end of April. THE MAITLAND tOAL DISPUTE. SYDNEY. .March ID In the New South Wales Assembly Hon. Mr Laznrini. the Colonial Secretary. announced that a conlerence between tin* miner' ami the coal owners had bet n summoned for Saturday, with a view to arriving at a settlement of the deputies trouble on the .Maitland (onlhc-ld.