AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Otaki Mail, 21 December 1923, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

- $ SHRIKE AT BELL-BIRD COLLIERY. SYDNEY. Dec. 20. D„V, t - T , e oi feelers rendered the belibird colliery idle, making a total f*,/, 01 "' i! 11 not working on the northern field, AUSTRALIAN MEAT LEW. A \B.ill providing for a compulsory levy of an amount to be annua'ty decided by the Australian Meat Council on owners oi cattle and sheep throughout the Commonwealth, has been tabled hi uhe Assembly. ' The levy will be collected by the Government in each State. Mr Oakes states the Bill, which was for the sneouragement and improvement of the meat industry, would not be proceeded with pending the receipt of a report of the. joint committee of both Houses which was enquiring into the whole question. A mass meeting of operative baker, decided to adhere to the previous resolution, not to recommence night baking despite any decision by the Arbitration Court. It is stated that if any employee worked at night a general strike would be declared

STATE ENTERPRISES. HEAVY LOSSES. The report of the Auditor-General on the State industrial undertakings shows that eight year?' trading with State trawlers' and the winding up of the business resulted in a loss of £90,522. The State timber yards showed a deficit of £319,000, while the brickworks and metal quarries showed a slight- profit. BREAKING OF THE DROUGHT. The ram area is extending north. but so far falls have been light in the dry districts. Rain has also been experienaed in Queensland prospects favouring good fails in the central area which has been suffering from drought for months past.

MARTIN PLACE CONTROVERSY. •Fallowing the Equity Court judgment restraining the City Council fvpm proceeding with the proposed extension ©f Martin Place, Cabinet held a meting* to consider the introduction in Parliament of a Special EBabHcS BtfJ. ,_ .„„,,„».._- '■" "