AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 March 1927, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.] BRICE OF PHOSPHATES. I Receded this day at 8 a.m.) .MELBOURNE, March 23. In the House of Representatives Mr Bruce said the question of the price ot phosphates concerned the extraction ami shipment at Nauru. For the last three years the price has been considerably lower in Australia than New Zealand. Mr Sending alleged that. Australian producers were at the mercy of a combine. but it, was within the powers of the Commonwealth to control the price to the producers. The matter dropped. N.S.W. POLITICS. SYDNEY. March 23. In the Legislative Council after the report of the committee oil Family Endowment was read, the House resumed the debate on the hijl which is progressing. SYDNEY, March 23. The position on Maitland coalfield remains unchanged. FEDERAL SUCCESSOR. .MELBOURNE, March 23. Sir Granville Ryrie has been chosen successor to Sir Joseph Cook a.Iligli ( ommi-siouer at London. .•

FEDERAL POLITICS. MELBOURNE. March 22. The Senate read the second time the Stale Grants’ Bill, providing for the abolition of the Commonwealth ]K*r capita payments to the States. In the House of Representatives Mr Charltmi’s amendment to the Supply Bill, as cabled on March IStli. was negatived'. and the Simply Bill was passed, The Senate finally passed the State Grants Bill. Li the Federal House of Representatives. Mr Rodgers asked for an inquiry into ihe Minenihosphales industry in Australia, lie stated the price hero was £~> 7s (id ner ton. and nt the same date the price in New Zealand was only Lt 2s fid. There had been

an increase of 7s fid per lon, in Australia, while at the same time there had been a redueiion in New Zealand of £1 8s fid. .Mr Bruce stated the lower nriee in New Zealand was the result of a trade wa r. ENDOWMENT 111 I !,„ SYDNEY. March 23. The Fnmilv Endowment Bill was read a second time in the Legislative Council Imt during the commit lee s' atm Mr Ashton moved an amendment which would have the elfeet of excluding most of the workers who are above the basic wage. This amendment was carried by 2!) to 21 votes. Mr Willis announced lie did not intend to I'l'neoed with the measure, as the amendment practically killed the hill. The absono" el' many Labour members from He sitting provoked biller comment by their colleagues. WOOL SALKS. MELBOURNE. March 23. Woo! sales tor '1920-27 season closed under most favourable conditions, with the market at the highest level of the season except for super winds.