AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 19 June 1931, Page 6

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

EXPORT OK GOLD. (Australian Press Association.) (Received this dnv at 8 a.rn.) CANBERRA, June 19. The Senate passed a hill authorising a shipment- of five millions pounds worth of gold. FEDERAL FINANCE. CANBERRA, June 19. In the Representatives Air Theodore, (i reasitrer) announced legislation was introducing immediately, increasing the .sales tax from 2$ to o per cent; primage duty from four to ten per (tent; , a lid ah-jp increasing the income tax. It was thus hoped to reduce the deficit from twenty million sterling to 41 millions. The twenty per cent cut would also be made without delay in pu'>r:c .servants’ salaries and ex-soldiers’ pensions, bu,t due consideration would be given to indigent cases. Pensions would in future he denied to widows of soldiers who re-married and also to the children of such re-marriages.

MAROUERA SHOOTING. SYDN E Y,. J line 18. Vs a sequel to the Marouhra shooting, James Devine, husband of “Tilly” Devine has been charged with the murder of Frederick Al.-ffitt’ who was found shot through tbe breast the 'morning after a stormy night. The body was in a sitting position at the steering wheel in his cab, at a lonely spot. Many shots were heard by neighbours, but as the night was wet and dismal, nobody ventured out to investigate. The police expressed the opinion that Afoffitt was the victim of an underworld feud, as the shots were apparently from' the roadway at short range. There were several bullet holes in the cab.

PASSENGER STEAMER STRANDED SYDNEY', ..Tone 18. The island steamer “La Perou.se” is reported to he stranded on a reef near Noumea, but she-is in no immediate danger. There, are forty Sydney passengers aboard. It is expected that the vessel will float off at high tide.