AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 December 1927, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.) LOAN COUNCIL. CANBERRA, Dec. 19. At a meeting of the Australian Loan Council, at which New South AA ales was represented for the first time, drastic reductions in expenditure that will he met from loans to he raised during the current financial year, was agreed upon. The most important question discussed was the necessity in view n the position of the financial market for large reductions in borrowing. ( ,ll ' Federal Treasurer (.Air I’age) told the Council that ns a result of a critical revision of the estimates, it had heen found possible by the postponement ol various works to reduce the ( ommonwealtli expenditure lor the current vein- hy several millions.

A THUNDERSTORM. HOBART, Dec. 19. A terrific thunderstorm was experienced in Hobart. A number of houses were flooded to a depth ol four foot and the services of the Eire Brigade had to he requistioned to pump the water out. There were several narrow escapes. COAL MINERS DISMISSED. SYDNEY, Dec. 19. Another four hundred coal miners in the northern coalfields were dismissed, the reason given being slackness ol trade. OBITUARY. SYDNEY, Doc. 19. Obituary—J. S. Mollison, formerly of Xew Zealand, Public Works Department. mainly in Dunedin, aged <3 years. WEEK' END DEATHS. SYDNEY, Dec. 19. Eight people were killed and tour seriously injured as the result ot motor accidents during the week-end in various parts of the Commonwealth.