AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 January 1918, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

, * ~ * lIHAT WAVE BROKEN. By Telegraph:—'Press AssneiataoH-. Received January 1, 1-.46 ii.hi-. 1 - vaydneyt Dec. 31. ' The great heat of the past few days Was broken by steady raiu, which much lessened and cheeked the exuberance oa j' Sew Year's EVfe crowds. j " LAND FOR SOLDIERS. I Sydney, Bee. .ft. ' During the past, year the La-rnlr Department acquired 170.853 acres for group settlements far returned soldiers. 1 Two hundred and nine soldiers have air i ready been allotted blocks. EXPORT OF COPRA. Sydney, Dec. 31. Firms interested in the copra trade ate concerned over_ the unofficial rumor that America intends to prohibit the importation of copra Since the w,ir the i CJp.it.ed States lias Seen ®e principal i market. Tt is understood the object; is. I to divert the large amount, of ' engaged in this trade to the carriage! pf wheat and other products. BUSH FIRES. Sydney, Dec. 31. The heat wav«. has returned. The exceptional plentitude of grass <is favorable to bush fires, and wide areas have been swept in the Wagga, Hay, ancl Forbes districts, including considerable quantities of standing wheat. BANKRUPTCY RETURNS, Sydney, Dec. 31. The New South Wales bankruptcy petitions for the year were 301, with inabilities amounting to ;6227.<M13, compared with 393 and £383,448 last year. RETIRINGAG® FOR JUDGES, Sydney, Dec. 31. The State Parliament will assemble on January 29, when a Bill fixing 7t) as I the retiring age for judges wi2l be intro- ' dueed. VICTORIAN REVENUE. , Melbourne. Dec, SI. The half-year's State revenue increased by £41;911 as compared with that in Hie previous corresponding' half-year. MORE REFERENDUM FIGURES. Melbourne, Dec. 31. The latest referendum figures are:A Yes, 9*4,6(58; No, 1,120,760. POSTAL AND TELEGRAPH PROFITS. Melbourne, Dec. 31. . The Postmaster-General's report for the year shows a profit of £IB,OOO on telephone business, compared with a loss of in tlus previous year. It is the first time the telephones have <jhown a profit, and disproves ttie contention that the increased charges would decrease the use of the instrument. WESTRALIAN DEFICIT. Perth, Dec. 31. The naif-year's revenue decreased 'by '£457,445 compared with the previous half, making an accumulated deficit, exclusive of £1,430,353 transferred last year to the deficiency account, of' f 1,051,814. , . EFFECT OF THE STRIKE. . Sydney, Dee. 31. The decrease of the State revenue is attributed to the strike. ; > SURPLUS SUGAR CROP. 'Melbourne, Dee. 31. • Returns show tiwit there is a likelihood of there being a surplus in the sugar crop of 100.9)00 tons. It is expected, however, that part of the surplus wiH be required to make up a deficiency in next year's crop. , WAR SHIPPING RISKS. Melbourne, Dee. 31. The war rates for the insurance of vessels tradiDg in the Atlantic between t.ho United Sta.te.-i, Canada, and Australia, have been reduced to three per cent, via the Cape and one per Cent, via tiio Panama Canal.