AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3517, 1 July 1920, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Received 10.45. SYDNEY, This Day. The Commonwealth Bank has increased interest from ; 3 to 3£ per cent, on balances reaching £1000; three per cent, on additional £3OOO. MELUBOURNE, This Day. The Commonwealth is shortly floating a loan probably of twenty million, which may bear interest at six per cent. The loan funds are exhausted, and a twenty millions loan has been contemplated since January. The Ministerial party, after considering the eabless exchanged between Messrs , Hughes and Watt, expressed continued confidence in Mr Hughes'. Arrived: Kaiapoi, from Auckland; Puhoi, from Kaipara. ** "Received 10.45. SYDNEY, This Day.

All the coal mines in the northern, western, and southern districts of New South Wales were idle on Wednesday, whilst the men discussed the owners' reply to the unions' demands. The miners decided to reject the owners' offer, namely, the appointment of a tribunal by Mi' Hughes, and meanwhile the minimum rate was to be 14/0. The meetings requested a Royal commission to enquire comprehensively respecting the coal and coke industry, including freights, profits, prices, hours, conditions, and wages. The proprietors complain they were unable to accept orders for large quantities of coal owing to intermittent and irritating stoppages. The union argues that at 13/6 the workers averaged £2 34/ per week, based on time.

Mr Willis, minors' secretary, speaking at Bulli, said nothing short of Socialisation would solve the question. New South Wales revenue for the year amounted to 281 millions against 231 for the previous year, an increase of- five millions. Notwithstanding this, there will be a probable' deficit of over one million, owing to flood and rains.

The British footballers' match at Tarn worth was abandoned, owing to the heavy general rains, which are continuing in some places, interfering with sowin"-. Parts of western districts are flooded. Flockowners who recently prayed for rain are now praying for fine weather. The northern rivers are rising and there are no signs of the discontinuance of rain yet. KOBART, This Day. Jones and Peacock's jam factories will probably (dose temporarily owing to the sugar shortage. ALBANY, This Day. The Prince arrived in the midst of groat enthusiasm, and departed for Perth shortly afterwards. The Renown encountered the worst "weather since her commission. She has experienced fierce gales practically since leaving Sydney and mountainous waves causing the Renown to roll heavily. Tremendous seas washed the upper deck, necessitating the constant use of powerful elecfric pumps. The Prince paid several visits to the navigating bridge, where he enjoyed the spectacle.