AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 February 1928, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association. , WOOL SALES. SYDNEY, Feb. 29. At the wool sales, all the best features of the recent auctions were sustained. superior qualities showing a further hardening tendency. Extreme prices were again realised lor comebacks and crossbreds. Greasy merino • fleece touched 36U1. I N.S.W. FINANCE. (Received this day at 8.50 a.m.) SYDNEY. Feb. 28. I Assistant-Treasurer Stevens announe- > od there will he no increase in tnxn- - tion this year. Government intend at l the end of the present financial year ; that the deficit left by the Lang Uo--1 vernment will be funded, which moans that a loan will b e taken out to cover the deficit, the liability to be spread over a period of years. It is intended in the new financial year to alter the incidence of taxation. Investigations are now being made in this direction. - An effort will also be made by the I" Government to reduce the. expenditure I to bring about economics but not at ' the expense of efficiency. A PASSENGER DIES. SYDNEY, Feb. 28. During the voyage of the Ulimaroa from Auckland, a passenger, F. N. McColl died. It is believed death was • due to heart failure. i A FIRE, SYDNEY. Fob. 28. i A fire at Gilgrandra destroyed five t shops and contents. The damage is _ ; several thousands sterling. **** HEAVY RAIN AND FLOODS. BRISBANE, Fell. 29. Heavy rain lias fallen in North Queensland and all the rivers from ; Cairns to Townsville are rising, and - falls ranging from nine to thirteen in--1 dies were recorded in twenty-four hours. People in the vicinity of Her- - licit River are moving to place's of - safety. Parts of Innisfa! are flooded ) and railway traffic is dislocated. AUSTRALIAN CUP ACCEPTORS MELBOURNE. Fob. 29. ■ Final acceptors for the Australian I Clip include PiUicwinkie and Naos. 5 There are no New Zealanders in the r Newmarket Handicap. > WHERE CHURCHES DIFFER. f ■ 1 (Received this day at 9 a.m.) SYDNEY, Feb. 29. I There is much heartburning in s Protestant churches over the fortheoni--1 ing Eucharistic Conference and procession with the Host through the streets to he held in Sydney. r I he - Methodist annual conference now in t session lengthily and warmly discusr sed and adopted a resolution declar--1 ing the procession an affront and ■ challenge to a very large proportion r of the community, asking the Govf eminent to disallow it. as offensive ' and subversive of its recognised attitude of the Government in withhold- ■ ing its patronage or assent from any ‘ distinctly sectarian propaganda. Othl er Protestant churches are also up in ; arms against allowing the procession.