AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 January 1921, Page 8

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

CANNED FRUIT TRADE. * By Telegraph.—-Press Assn—Copyright. Sydney, Jan. 29. Mr. t. H. Freeman, chief partner in the firm of Freeman and Co., big London buyers of canned goods, stated that the careless and indifferent methods of packers and canners were killing the Australian export trade in canned and preserved fruit. There was a glut of ripe fruit at present. Hundreds of tons were going to the tip daily or rotting in. the orchards. There was not a single export order in Australia at present, whereas there should be orders for 300,000 to 400,000 cases. He urged the grading of goods true to sample so that they reached retailers in an attractive, ketable condition.

WORKERS AND ARBITRATION. Sydney, Jan. 29. Mr. Blakely, President of the Australian Workers’ Union Conference, started that the organisation favored arbitration in preference to a strike by 16,138 votes to 10,157. He added that those advocating a strike were unintentionally selling the workers and betraying unionism. Some preached that emancipation could be achieved only through blood and fire, but ballots were better than bullets. Mr. Walsh has communicated with 'the steamship owners giving assurances on behalf of th/ seamen of uninterrupted working conditions. He repudiated the suggestions of job control published in the press', -adding that he selfom read newspapers and never believed them. PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION Sydney, Jan. 29. The Ministerial Party favored proportional representation by three to one and is now taking a ballot to ascertain the views of members absent: If the full party favors proportionaltem it will be necessary to revoke the last Labor Conference decision before retaining the present system. WESTRALIAN ELECTIONS. Perth, Jan. 29. The Premier, opening the election campaign, outlined the Government policy, which aimed at reducing the deficit. Special encouragement would be given to co-operative effort for the production of all food required by the State and industrial development generally, the prevention of profiteering and the untrammelled maintenance of the Arbitration Courts for the) settlement of industrial disputes.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. FINANCING PINEAPPLE GROWERS Brisbane, Jan. 29. The Minister of State Enterprises announced that pineapple will bcguaranteed 5s per case for approved pines. The Commonwealth is financing the scheme. FREIGHT FALL PREDICTED. Melbourne, Jan. 29. ■ Sir Kenneth Anderson and Mr. J. Gedj des, directors of the Orient Line, predicted a fall in freights which will still further accentuate the troublesome period British shipping is experiencing.