AUSTRALIA.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 September 1920, Page 5

AUSTRALIA.

GENERAL ITEMS. ] By Teleffraph.—Press 'Assn.—Copyrijht. Sydney. Sept. 11. I Mr. James, the National representative of Goulbourn, and ex-Minister of Education, has been offered a Judgeship by the Premier. Mr. James' decision is awaited. The Australian Labor Party executive has recommended the Government to fill the Murray vacancy by appointing Mr. Clear, the Labor runner-up. The Federated Textile Workers' Union is starting co-operative woollen mills, with a capital of two hundred thousand. The Union has submitted a proposal to the Government for the right to manufacture police and Government uniforms. The Government is favorable. Melbourne, Sept. 11. In the House of Representatives, Mr. Hughes fell foul of the Country Party, and his display of temper may possibly lead to future complications. Mr. McWilHams (leader of the Country Party) objected to the expenditure of half a million on the Queensland timber enterprise without consulting Parliament. Mr. Hughes bitterly attacked Mr. MeWilliams, accusing him of coveting the Ministerial benclies, and adding that Mr. Mci Williams had allied himself with Mr. llyan, whom Archbishop Mannix described as the' greatest Sinn Feiner of all. Mr. Gregory (deputy-leader of the Country Party, and former Minister) admonished Mr. Hughes, threatening that, irrespective of the issue or consequences, his vote would go to depose him at tiie earliest opportunity if there were ever a repetition. A vote taken on the motion to extend the debate, as a test of feeling, resulted in the Government winning by 20 to 27, the Country and Labor parties voting together. Peace Loan subscriptions have passed the twenty-three millions' mark. ( Plans t'o reconstitute the Australian Wheat Board are practically completed, and a contract to supply three hundred thousand tons of wheat for Egypt for six millions sterling is under consideration. The Anglo-Persian Oil Company, Ltd., has been registered, with a capital of twenty millions. The' Special Committee appointed by Mr. Hughes to inquire into the proposal that wool should be made available to scourers and manufacturers in Australia at world's parity, reported that the Federal Government should issue a proclamation that the export of Australian sheepskins would be harmful, unless they were first offered to the fcllmongers in Australia at current rates, and that legislation should be passed to provide work for the fellmongeving and tanning industries. Brisbane, Sept. 11. Mr. Theodore, when delivering a policy speech, said the Government' hoped to float a local loan, and if this were unsuccessful the Government would resort to increased taxation rather than curtail public works.-rAus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.