AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 December 1927, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.) COMMONWEALTH POPULATION. SYDNEY. Dee. 21. It is estimated that the population of the Commonwealth on September HOth last was fi. 198.98(5. the increase for the year being 122,75 L comprising (id,-103 males and 00. I'd lemales. Excess of births over deaths account, cd for 75,010 and excess ol arrivals over departures for L.n3B. New South Wales leads the Stales with 2,38:7,339. INTERNATIONAL LAW KNOT SYDNEY, Dee. 9. To a middle-aged and recently prosperous New Zealander “the skin game” is a stern reality now. For lie has just paid £7OO to learn its rudiments; and incidentally, entangled Australian police in an international law knot. A month ago ho was introduced in New Zealand to a man who posed as a skin buyer. A few meetings, and the skin buyer induced the New Zealander to invest £7OO with him in a skin deal. They would buy in New Zealand and double their money by selling in Melbourne. The “buyer” handled all the business as well as the cash, paid the fares over to Melbourne, where they put up at the host hotel. For a week the buyer took the New Zealander round Melbourne, ostensibly selling their skins. And then be disappeared. Detectives Allniond, Damro (Queensland) and Suker (Melbourne) have traced the .“buyer” to A.M.S. Sierra, due in Honolulu on Friday. But nothing can be done from Australia, since the offence was committed in New Zealand. And the victim of the swindle must go to New Zealand to swear a warrant personally before extradition proceedings can commence.

HOPEFUL TRADE OUTLOOK. (Received this dnv at 10.15 a.m.) CANBERRA. Dee. 22. The Minister of Trade and Customs (Air Flatten) in an interview said it was estimated that employment will be provided for ten thousand people in industries to be established in Australia in 1928. by British and American manufacturers. Ihe outlook for Australian secondary industries during the coming year, he said, was very .bright, hut added he would like to temper his optimism with reference to the economic position. for consideration had to he given to a possible reaction against the lavish public expenditure in recent years The firms to start represented 'hosiery, iron and steel, and linoleum industries.

STATE DISABILITIES. ADELAIDE. Dee. 22

According to the committee appointed )>v the State Government, to report on evidence to Urn Iloyal Commission on the estate disabilities, the Federation, as far as South Australia is concerned has proved a failure? The report says Mouth Australia is unable to meet her lmlilHies with the imposition of destructive taxation wl.ch is out of all !>>”- portion to that levied in other States. V s ~ result of the Federation, the people and industries of South Australia have laboured many years under a burden of taxation mater,aLy heavier than that imposed on other States. Unless steps are taken to remedy this condition, a contrast between' prosperity in the mam,fanning States in the East and stagnaturn in primary production States h. - wes must inevitably result in the creation of a spirit of resentment which might even endanger the 1 efl It '°NEAY GOLD DISCOVERY. SYDNEY, Dec. 22. Prospectors recently discovered a

,-olcl hearing lode near Ron.l.ula, on the south const. A sample of the ore taken yielded forty ounces to the ton. SYDNEY’S rH'ITJMNOS. SYDNEY. Dee. 22. During 1027 in the city and suburbs 10.885 buildings were electee. a tt cost of £11.227,000. an increase , value of over a million compared with the previous year. The average per building was 01807. an increase of 102 V pe r cent since 10-1 "hen cost was £O-12. TIPK IMP 111 SON MENT. PERTH, Dec. 22. Geo Hearn was sentenced to imprisonment for life with hard •.hour L connection with the explosion of gelignite at Morowa.