IN AUSTRALIA

Hokitika Guardian, 14 March 1930, Page 6

IN AUSTRALIA

IMPORTANT .MEASURES

(Australian Press Association;

CANBERRA, March 13.

. The Acting Minister of Trade and Customs, lion Frank Fordo, outlined the Federal Government’s polity for the development and stabilisation of the cotton industry in Queensland. He said that a bounty would be continued until 1938. Tlie growers would be paid an average- price of 5d per lb for seed cotton. Sufficient tariff protection would lie alfoi tied to enable this to be done.

Mr Forde also announced that steps would be taken to encourage the manufacture of cotton goods in Australiaiu order to increase the avenues of employment. The slim of £250,000 would be advanced to the Queensland 'Government to enable suitable land to be made available for cotton cultivation to the right people. The whole of tlie operations would be directed by an Honorary Advisory Committee.

EXTRAVAGANCE

SOME REVELATIONS

CANBERRA, March 13.

The Federal Auditor-General discloses the fact that the cost of carrying letters by the aeroplane services operating in various parts of Australia is very heavy. The subsidy paid by the Federal Government on one service has represented tour pounds sterling per letter. 'J lie subsidy to another was ten shillings per letter, and for still another it was two shillings per letter. He claims tlia-t this cost is not justified.

A QUICK REMEDY

CANBERRA, March 13.

The- Federal Government have decided to discontinue the subsidy of £28,000 paid yearly to tlie Larkin Aircraft Supply Coy- Ltd., for air mail services between Melbourne and Hay, Adelaide and Cootamimdra, and Milaura and Broken Hill. This is on the grounds mentioned in the AuditorGeneral’s report, as already cabled.

The Federal subsidies to the Queensland and Western Australia- Air Services are to be continued.

Captain Larkin, the Managing Director of the Larkin. Coy. stated that his company would probably have to wind up, thus dismissing a hundred employees, and closing down their large aircraft works. -

TIMBER DUTY.

AUSTRALIA’S INCREASE

CANBERRA, March 13

Hon Sir Frank Forde, Assistant Federal Minister, of Trade, introduced a Bill to-day in the Federal House of Representatives relating to the duty on dressed flooring timber and on lining and weather boards, in order to confirm a decision of the Customs Department covering the classification, and also safeguarding the collections of duty on the importations to Austi alia since the tariff was imposed in November last The general rate onthe timber specified was up to November, 1927, 8s 6d per hundred feet. It was then increased •to fifteen shillings and in November last was increased to twenty shillings. The importers, at that late stage, challenged the classification. A large amount was involved. as the difference between twenty shillings per hundred feet and thirty per cent, ad valorem was about £4OO- - on tlie value of the year’s imports. The debate was adjourned.