AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 January 1928, Page 1

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.) A COMING VISITOR. .MELBOURNE, Jan. 23. It is probable that the Minister of t Trade and Customs, Air Pratten, will go to New Zealand shortly to discuss with the Dominion Government the possibility of negotiating a new trade , agreement between the Commonwealth and New Zealand as the existing trade • agreement lias been in force several ; years. Recent changes in the tariffs of both countries have helped to make a review of the treaty desirable. It is understood the New Zealand : Government favours the proposal that a representative of the Federal Alinis- ■ try should visit New Zealand so that the whole question might be discussed amicably and an arrangement be reached, which would suit the trade requirements of both countries. Some difficulty is being experienced in fixing the date of Air Pratten’s departure. but it is understood the visit would be made as soon as possible. BRITISH TRADE. ADELAIDE, Jan. 23. Addressing the members of the Chamber of Commerce, who tendered him a reception. Sir Robert Horne said most of the heavy trades in Britain were still in the doldrums; nevertheless they have begun to advance in many other staple trades. Chemical, electrical and motor car industries appeared to have come to stay. The Government bad been taxing motorcars on the amount of their power, and the result was the manufacturers evolved a car which was suitable for English conditions but not suitable lor export. He bad not the slightest doubt that such a system of taxation would be rectified in the near future. A better plan was to put the tax on petrol. Sir Robert Horne went on to say the population of Australia during the last seven years had gone up eleven per cent. He knew it was disquieting to have unemployed in the community, but he thought immigration was good for the coutnry. Australia in its present state, with rich resources, could not remain unpopulated and justify itself in the eyes of the world. Australia was the one big country of large areas which remained undeveloped and the world would never allow such a state of affairs, to continue. Temporary periods of difficulty could disappear and they then would find that wealth would quickly increase. He was in favour of the White Australia policy aijd hoped it meant British Australia. Ho cm?ld see no l%is to the pjroipei-

| ity that would come to Australia in future years. WOOL SALKS. SYDNEY. Jail. 21. At Hie wool sales a spirited market ruled, with prices equal to best c.l last ■ week’s for all descriptions. Good clearances were effected. Greasy merino sold to 38 pence. ELECTION i'll BEAT. HOBART. Jan. 23. The annual conference of Australian Workers' Union has enmir.emed. It has a big political significance, as it will lay down a definite policy to resist attacks on it by the Red element. The New South Wales delegation j wifi test the opinion of the Conference on a motion which will demand that the Federal Exec ut ive of the Labour i Party shall endorse the decisions of the Canberra Federal Labour Conference. otherwise the Australian Workers' Union will remain neutral at the forthcoming Federal Elections, and will recommend its members not .to participate in pre-selection ballots, while the New South Wales branch of the Party is controlled by its tiresent Executive. AIISSING AO-TE-AROA. HOBART, Jan. 23. The possibility that Aloncrieff and Hood had so far deviated from their course ns to crash on Flinder's Island, is suggested in a belated report received by the Commissioner of Police from the Police Officer in charge of Flinder's Island, a sparsely populated Island off Tasmania, extending about forty-five miles in a north-south direction.

The report states that he had received information that the hum of an aeroplane engine was hoard on the 10th January, and a distinct crash was heard in the direction of Aridlands. A search party has been scouring the country without success. AIELBOURNF, Jan. 23.

.Major Coleman. Secretary of the Air Board states: It U inconceivable that the aviators could have got so far out of their course. No Air Force nfaohiiies were in the vicinity of Flinder'x Island on the date mentioned. A “HA IR-BRAINED" PROPOSM.. SYDNEY. Jan. 23.

Air Pratten states that although permission to make the proposed flight to New Zealand does not rest with his Department, he thinks there is a good deal of ‘•stunting” connected ith such hair-brained flight proposals. and it is unlikely, in view of the many tragedies that have occurred in the past twelve months, that the Government will be a party to giving encouragement to. further adventures of that kind,