AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 January 1920, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

AOSSTRALIAN WHEAT. By Ttkfraph.—Tress A»n.—Copyright. Sydney, Jan. 15. The report of the Wheat Inquiry CommiMion dealing with the sale of the Mifi-16 guaranteed wheat stated that through the Hon. Mr. Grahame's failure when the pool was formed to protect his own contract with one firm New South Wales was mulcted in a direct tots of £BOOO. It appeared that Mr. Qrahame, prior to the formation of the pool, agreed with a firm to sell wheat which it proceeded to do. When the pool -was formed this wheat was not excepted from it and therefore Mr. Qrahame was unable to fulfil his agreement. The £BOOO referred to represented a portion of his firm's commission.

FIRE IN WHEAT YARDS. Adelaide, Jan. 15. A fire in wheat yards at Wallaroo destroyed the Penross hag factory and the British Government's sterilising and reconditioning plants. The wheat stacks W«t» saved, but it is estimated that the damage will amount to scores of thousands' of pounds. About three hundred employees are rendered idle. The origin of fire, which is the latest at a> number of mysterious outbreaks, is Unknown. The damage is covered by insurance.

A BIG BUILDING SCHEME. Melbourne, Jan.'ls. The War Service Homes Commission haa decided during the next ten years to sect 20,000 homes in the Commonwealth. TRADE WITH GERMANY PROHIBITED. Melbourne, Jan. 15. . A proclamation prohibits aQ trade relatione with Germany. AIR BOARD FORMED. Melbourne, Jan. 15. The Government is forming an Air Board comprising representatives of the anar and nary, to administer an air I(EW SOUTH WALES ELECTIONS. Sydney, Jan. 15. There are evident preparations for the coming State elections. Though the date is not yet Axed the elections Will he held certainly before the end of March. The issues are mixed. Besides the alleged disruption amongst Nationalists there is considerable dissension in the ranks o* Labor, whose central executive appears to be not closely in touch with the rank and file. The Farmers' Party intends making a strong bid and Independents also are not wanttog. * NEW SOUTH WALES GOLD YIELD. Sydney, Jan. 15. The gold yield for 1919 was the loweat on record, valued at £279,666, a decrease of £90,077 compared with the previous year. DRINK IN NEW SOUTH WALES. Received Jan. 15, 10 p.m. Sydney, Jan. 15. The Government Statistician reports that the New South Wales drink bill for tt» year ended June 30th last was '£7,277,000, an increase of £59,000 compared with the previous year, though the amount*per head of population decreased about lid. A feature ia the continued decrease in the consumption of spirits and the increased consumption •f Australian beer and wine.