AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 September 1919, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

WHEAT POOLS. #, \ By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Sydney, Sept. 4. Tho Government has decided on a thorough investigation of every phase of the operation of the wheat pools. FRIENDLY SOCIETIES' CONFERENCE. Melbourne, Sept. 4. The conference of friendly societies resolved to urge the Government to establish a national medical service and appoint a medical taxing officer empowered to assess, modify, and tax accounts rendered by medical practitioners. A FLOATING MINE. Brisbane, Sept. 4. A floating mine has been located north of Cooktown. • PROTECTION DESIRED. Melbourne, Sept. 4. The leather manufacturers have decided to aflk the Government to impose an export duty of 20 per cent, on rough tanned leather, sheep skins, and pelts. CHEAPER SUGAR WANTED. Hobart, Sept. 4. The conference of fruit-growers has launched a campaign to securo cheaper sugar, and decided to hold an inter-State conference on October 9. It ,is stated that, as sugar costs £2O 10s per ton, New Zealand and Australian growers and jam manufacturers are greatly handicapped. • DESTRUCTIVE FIRE. Sydney, Sept. 4. Fire destroyed Curtis' freezing works at Barra. The damage is estimated at £16,000. FROZEN MEAT SHIPMENTS. Sydney, Sept. 4. The Shipping Controller states that no further shipping apace is available for frozen meat.. The amount which is stored in Australia a,t present represents more than the total annual pre-war export. In order to prevent paralysis in the beef and mutton trades the Controller urges tho provision of more refrigerated space on land as well as the present storage. PRESERVATION OF PINE FORESTS. Sydney, Sept. 4. A deputation from the dairying industry urged upon Mr. Ashford the need of action with regard to the preservation of tho pine forests, as Japanese timber had been found unsuitable for bntter-hoxes, in order that when New Zealand supplies were cut off there might be stocks to draw upon. Mr. Ashford promised assistance. sTWO TEARS' CARGOES HELD UP. Received Sept. 4, 10.30 p.m. Sydney, Sept. 4. It is estimated it will take two years to ship the cargoes now held in Australia owing to the scarcity of tonnage. The Space Allotment Committee carried forward, on July 31,3,285,000 tons of wheat, 1,320,000 bales of wool. 50,000 tons of meat, 23,000 tons of rabbits, and 00,000 tons of other produce. Merchants are applying to the Necessary Commodities Commission for an increase in the proclaimed priee of maize, oats, and chaff,— Aub.-N.Z. Cable Assn.