AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 December 1920, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

LOANS 8 TO FARMERS. - Sydney, Dec. 11. < The Assembly read the first time a Bill • enlarging the operations of the Government Savings Bank, by the addition «f, a rural department to assist primary produeers and the associated industries. Loans will range from £SO to £2OOO. The total available will not exceed, fife millions. . .

PROHIBITION REFERENDUM Sydney, Dec. 11, There is a growing feeling that the prohibition referendum which should bp taken before .June 30 will be abandoned on account of Mie provision for compensation. The amount involved is estimated at from 10 to 15 millions.

UNIONISTS OVER-RIDE EXECUTIVE.

Sydney, Dec. 11. Notwithstanding the High Court in-t junction restraining Mr. Walsh from aot* iug as secretary to the Seamen's Union,' the latter body has over-ridden its executive and declared it will Continue to rs< cognise Walsh as secretary

MEAGHER'S RE-INSTATEMENT !

Sydney, Dec. 11. > In the Assembly, the Bill to re-instate ft. D. Meagher on the roll of solicitors was read a second time in the House by 30 votes to 9,

GENERAL ITEMS. Melbourne, Dec. 11 Ihc shipbuilding hitch has been over come, and the agreement with the Com' monwealth signed by the unions con' cerned.

Mr. Hughes announced that civil servants salaries will be increased from £l9B to £2OB and proportionate increases to £3OO, also 5s allowance for each child.

Mr. Hughes had a conference with the woollen industries and stressed the v J gency of the Commonwealth vigorously promoting manufactures. The Government would assist iu obtaining machinery for the work of the organisation

, r „ „ r , Brisbane, Dec. U. Air. 1. E. Urquhart, Commissioner of Police, ha S been appointed Administrator of the Northern Territory in succession to Dr. Gilruth.

■ rainfall has been recorded in the Maryborough district. ' •