AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 December 1920, Page 6

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Sydney, Dec. 24. The wheat lumpers have entered-into an agreement with the Wheat Board, whereby they receive 3s an hour ordinary time, 4s 3d between a and 9, and (is from !) till 7. The Board of Trade hiw increased the women workers' living wage from £1 19s to £2 3s from the opening of the New Year.

The weather is very hot. Many conntry places are registering well over 100 degrees Parliament has finally passed the Profiteering Bill. Judging from the . Premier's statement in the Assembly it is believed the Government do n'ot propose to make provision for taking the expected prohibition referendum.

The Japanese Consul General has been advised that a census taken in October last showed Japan's population to be over 77,000,000.

Melbourne, Dec. 24,

Production at the electrolytic zinc works, Tasmania, and the Hampden copper mines at Cloncurry is ceasing in consequence of depression in the metal world.

Sydney, Dec. 24,

The Minister of Public Works is preparing plans and specifications to enable tenders to be called for the Syd- - ney Harbor bridge, at a coat pf £5,000.000 It is hoped to start the work during the life of the present Parliament with completion about 1031. There have been no new developments in the Ozer tragedy, except that the police are convinced the shot was not fired by the doctor.