AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 October 1919, Page 6

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

COST OF LIVING. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Sydney, October 16. Mr. Justice Edmunds has announced that the new living wage will be applied all round. A number of applications "by unions have already been granted.

Melbourne, October 16. The Eederal Cabinet is appointing a Commission to inquire into the cost of living, with the view of fixing a basis for the living wage. It is officially stated that the price of meat for export will be raised to 8d per lb, ~* ' AUSTRALIAN PEACE LOAN. Melbourne, October 16. Mr Watt announced that the subscriptions to the Peace Loan totalled £-21,466,000. After the loan had closed the banks were approached and agreed to subscribe the balance, thus obviating the necessity for compulsion.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. FEDERAL TAXATION., ' Melbourne, October 16. The Land-Tax Bill was re-enacted. It provides for the super-tax of 20 per cent, to be reimposed for the present year. A Bill abolishing the entertainment tax on 3d tickets and reducing the tax on 6d tickets was passed.—Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assn. SHIPPING FOR NEW ZEALAND. Melbourne, October 16. Mr. Hughes promised a deputation from the Chamber of Commerce that he would communicate with the New Zealand Government and the Hudart-Parker and Union Companies with the view of relieving the shortage of shipping to New Zealand. ANTI-PROFITEERING BIMj. Brisbane, October 16. The anti-profiteering Bill, introduced in the Assembly, provides for the appointment of a Commissioner and De-puty-Commissioners empowered to deal with profiteers and inquire into anything of the nature of a corner in foodstuffs. Heavy penalties are provided for breaches of the Act.—Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assn. PLETHORA OF PARTIES. Sydney, October 16. At both the Federal and State elections there will be a plethora of parties. The Federal parties include Nationalists, Labor, Country and Industrial and Socialist Labor. The State parties include the above four, and also Progressives and the Rqman Catholic or Democratic Party. The issues generally will be very mixed. It is understood that a number of both Federal and S£ate Nationalists are not seeking re-election.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ■ A RIFLE MEETING. ' Received Oct. 16, 5.5 p.m. Sydney, October IS. So far no New Zealanders have figured in the Rifle Association meeting Reuter. \