AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 October 1920, Page 7

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

GENERAL ITEMS. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.--Copyright, Adelaide, Oct, 1. . During the passage of the steamer Ormonde through the Red Sea- six deaths occurred on board as a result of intense heat. Melbourne, Sept. 30. The destroyers Platypus and Swordsman have returned to'port, having failed to locate the Southern Cross. The Swordsman will continue the search aftra replenishing its stores. Advices from Hobart confirm the opinion that the Vessel was blown up. The master of the Hall Caine reported tl«t he steamed for two hours through wreckage of benzine cases and tins, Brisbane, Oct. 1. In connection with the forthcoming general elections, the Labor Government is making a determined effort to force the question of the British financiers' recent refusal to absorb the Queensland loan to the front to the exclusion of more pressing political and national mattersMr. E. G. Theodore (Premier of Queensland) claims that the election issue is the maintenance by the people of self-governing rights against the dictation of the domestic policy of the State Government by London capitalists. Speaking at Maryborough, he said that while lie was in London, repre'esntfttives ol the principal unions, in England offered him a loan of £3,000.000, which he declined, preferring that the Labor Party of Queensland should fight its orrn battles. Received Oct. 1, 5.5. p.m. Sydney, Oct. 1. It is unofficially announced that the Board of Trade is increasing basic wages by 10s a week, raising the minimum to i' 47s i . It is calculated the increase in the New South Wales wages bill for tlic year will be £5,000,000. The Industrial Court granted teachers' increases aggregating £500,000, which, with the boards' increase, will total £700,000, embracing a staff of 8000. Mr- Hibble, chairman of the Coal Tribunal, states the interim award gives engine drivers, a 3s increase per shift to di ivers and firemen throughout the Commonwealth. The minimum rates for boys and youths are increased by 20 cent. Melbourne, Oct. 1. ■ The Premier, in a policy speech, emphasised the necessity for coping with the stupendous cessation of production during the war, and the need of immigration. The Government is seeking new markets world-wide, especially in China and India, for Victorian products. It is introducing a basic wage board, and is raising the school age from 14 to 15. In the House of Representatives, Sir Joseph Cook's Bill increasing the income tax to five per cent, passed all stages.