PREMIERS’ CONFERENCE

Southland Times, Issue 18829, 24 May 1920, Page 5

PREMIERS’ CONFERENCE

RAILWAY STANDARDISATION DISCUS SION.

t Ey Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.)

MELBOURNE, May 23 (Received May 23, 5.5 p.m.i

The Premiers’ Conference has opened. Mi Hughes urged the necessitj r for an immigration policy to fill the gaps made in Australia’s manhood by (he war. The question of defence must also be dictated by prudence and commensense. There was need for a uniform railway gauge. The time had come when something in that direction must ho done, as it would assist in.the development of trade. Dealing with the movements of stock in times of drought, he referred to the proposed developments in aviation, including postal purposes. He urged the need of the Commonwealth and the States acting together as regards industrial legislation to sweep away the ;|;omalies arising from the Commonwealth and the States acting independently. The Conference had decided to send two delegates to the Afforestation Conference. Estimates were submitted showing that the areas requiring afforestation in the Commonwealth totalled 24,500,000 acre.-. He recommended the establishment of a school of forestry in New South Wales. The conference resolved upon the introduction of legislation to provide uniformity in marking Australian-made goods. In reference to the unification of railways, the conference considered the conditions since 1913, when the cost was estimated at between £20,000,000 and £30,000,000. There had been a change since and it was necessary to revise the estimates before the subject could be definitely dealt with. Mr Rawson, the Victorian Premier, said that it would now probably cost twice as much as in 1913.