AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 January 1921, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

A COAL FAMINE. * By Telegraph.—Press Asm.—Copyright. Received Jan. 5, 10.20 p.m. Melbourne, Jan. 5. As a result of the coal shortage, caused by the stewards’ strike, the coal board has curtailed the use of gas and electricity for household purposes, and ha* drastically restricted the train services. Many factories which closed for the Christmas holidays are unable to reqpen. FIRE DESTROYS TIMBER. Received Jan. 5,10.? O p.m. Sydney, Jan. 5. Fire destroyed the mill yard and a portion of Australian Timber Co.’s premises at Haberfield. The damage is estimated at £lO,OOO. FOOD SHORTAGE. Received Jan. 5, 10.20 p.m. Brisbane, Jan. 5. The shipping* strike has caused a food shortage in the north and many towns are suffering. Cairns has petitioned Mr. Hughes to despatch a Commonwealth steamer with supplies. NEW SOUTH WALES LOAN. Received Jan. 5. 8.30 pm. Sydney, Jan. 5. The date of closing the State loan of £3,000,000 has been extended to February 1LOSS ON TRANS-CONTINENTAL LINE. Melbourne, Jan. 5. The trans-continental railway during the past year was run at a loss of £42,640. The total loss to date on the line, which cost over £1,000.000, hat been £746,000—Au a.-N.Z. Cable Assn. • SHIPBUILDING LOST. Melbourne, Jarv 5. Mr. Poynton, Minister for Shipbuilding, is in receipt of inforniatidh showing that the cost of ships built in Australia is lower than in England, and the quality also is superior.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. /