AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 7, 3 July 1911, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

THE PRICE OF FOOD. tiy Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright. Sydney, July 1. The Royal Commission on the pricb of food consists of live Government' nominees, three representatives of labor, and women workers, and one each representing commerce, the municipality, the manufacturers, and rural industries. A DEFECTIVE CENSUS. • Sydney, duly 1. Members of Parliament are almost daily receiving letters from people enumerating families, and sometimes small districts, not included in the census. The matter is of great importance to the State Government, owing to the 25s per head Federal payments. DR. MAWSON'S EXPEDITION. Sydney,. July 1. Professor David, lecturing on behalf of" Dr. Mawson's fund, declared that it was clearly Australia's duty to take a worthy part in exploring the great sister continent. AUTOMATIC TELEPHONES. Melbourne. July 1. The Federal Government has decided to experiment with automatic telephones, at small exchanges.. CONDEMNED TO DEATH. Melbourne, July 1. A death sentence has been recorded. against a colored man found guilty of burglary; with wounding. "A SENTIMENTAL HUMBUG." Sydney, July 1. In the Assembly, Mr. Waddell, exTreasurer, commenting on Justice Biggins' decision on Federal industrial cases, called the judge a sentimental humbug. BLACKMAILING EMPLOYERS. Sydney, July 1. In the Assembly. Mr. Perry asked for n, Royal Commission to inquire into the allegation that union agents go round the country blackmailing employers by threatening prosecutions. He created an uproar by saying that he would produce fifty witnesses" to prove that they had been blackmailed in this way. The matter dropped. , QUEENSLAND SUGAR STRIKE. Brisbane. July 1. Mr. Tudor has arrived at Binuiaberg in connection with the sugar strike. He met the owners, who agreed that the. men's demands were reasonable, but tliey were unable to grant them until their own conditions improved and they received a higher price for cane. They suggested that the price be regulated by the Government. Mr. Tudor was unable to see bow it couUI be. regulated, but said he would make inquiries. The Sugar Company was not in the business for the good of its health, and was evidently making comfortable profit*.