AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 September 1927, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.) AUSTRALTA’S ECONOMIC POSITION. SYDNEY, Sept. 20. Speaking at the Millions Club, Mr Prutten, Federal Minister of Trade Customs, said: Australia’s present ccoiomic position could not continue. He sounded a warning against an increase in foreign imports, stating the case of America, which, sent to Australia £40,000,000 worth of goods yearly and bought, only £10,000,000.

GOVERNOR VISITING. (Received this day at 10.15 a.m.) SYDNEY, Sept. 20. The State Governor lias departed in the warship Melbourne to visit Lord Howe Island. WORKING OF FEDERATION. SYDNEY, Sept. 20. The Royal Commission inquiring into the working of the Australian Constitution since the Federation, lias commenced sittings at Canberra, under the chairmanship of Professor Peden. POLICE PAY INCREASED. SYDNEY, Sept. 20. The recent decision of the Lang Government to increase the pay of members of the police hv 10s (id weekly, means an additional cost to the country of £85,000 sterling. BRITISHER’S DEATH. SYDNEY, Sept. 20. News has lieen received of tho death of flic British Resident Commissioner at New Guinea, G. B. Smith-Kewes, as the result of burns caused by a mishap to his reading lamp. ELECTION CAMPAIGN.

SYDNEY. Sept. 20. An intensely hitter election campaign is in full progress. Some of the worst feeling is between the contending sections of the La bout* Party. BARRISTER FLY ft >’s’ SECRET ACTIVITY. MELBOURNE, Aug. 20. Great, secrecy is briny, observed at the Larkin 'Aircraft Company’s assembling works at the Esspndon aerodrome regarding the refitting of the Somvith ’plane known as the “Bower Bird,” and which oriA«~"-- was “The Wallaby.”

Tt, is reported tlm* 1 ‘ vnc-liine was recently sold to Mr K. E. Davies, barrister, of Swan Hill, wlio already has one ’plane and uses it in his profession to fly from- one town to another. Mr Davies was a war pilot, and has since been an enthusiastic flyer. It is rumoured tl’- J intends to uso the “Bower Bird” in an effort to fly from. Australia to New Zealand. Tho machine is already fitted with a •200-gallon petrol tank, the original tank used on tho late Harry Hawker’s machine, when that aviator attempted a flight from England to America. Tho Larkin Aircraft Company is adding another tank to the machine, which will then have a capacity of 300 gallons, enough to take it to New Zealand with a rufficmrit margin of safety.

The reconditioned machine is to be ready for delivery to its new owner on September 12.