AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 July 1921, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

COCKATOO ISLAND MINORITY REPORT. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received July 13, 9.30 p.m. Melbourne, July 13. The minority report on Cockatoo Island states that aa the price of tonnage has fallen so low, and freight is so scarce, the construction of commercial vessels by the Commonwealth is non-payable, and should be discontinued. COCKATOO DOCKYARD RESUMING. Received July 13, 9.30 p.m. Sydney, July 13. Men are being re-engaged for Cockatoo dockyard, and it, is expected that work will be ill full swing in three days. DECLINE IN MEAT PRICES. Receiving July 13, 7.55 p.m. Sydney, July 13. The wholesale price of meat has steadily fallen, being now at the lowest level known for twelve years. Retail prices have also eased, but not to the same extent, MtLD INFLUENZA. Sydney, July 13. Sydney is suffering from an epidemic of influenza of a mild type. CITY COUNCIL ELECTIONS. Sydney, July 13. The keenest interest is being displayed in the forthcoming city council elections. Both sides are strenuously preparing, the Labontes to retain office, and the anti-Laborites to recapture control. The revision of the rolls is causing much heartburning, and thousands of objections have already been lodged, including over three thousand to leaseholders, •property-owners and occupiers, lodged on behalf of the Australian Labor Party. TAXATION AND RENT. Sydney, July 13. The Fair Rents Court has ruled that a landlord may add ’ncreased income tax and rates to the rental. MOUNT MORGAN MINE. Brisbane, July 13. The Mount Morgan engine-drivers at a meeting passed a resolution by 57 s votes to 3 in favor of a ballot of all ' unions on the question of restricting output. The meeting favored the resumption of work and withdrew its delegates from the lock-out committee. STATE LOTTERY CONDEMNED. Sydney, July 13. The Presbytery of Sydney unanimously denounced the proposed State lottery as humiliating and a disgrace to the Mother State. COCKATOO ISLAND INQUIRY. Melbourne, July 13. The Cockatoo Island report has been tabled in the House of Representatives. It states that no evidence was forthcoming respecting the improper removal of stores from the dockyard. AERIAL SERVICES. Melbourne, July 12. Mr. Pearce has announced that the Government is calling tenders for aerial services between Sydney and Adelaide and Sydney and Brisbane. Lieut. Briggs is contemplating a flight from Melbourne to New Zealand in a machine in which he has already flown 20,000 miles. Lieut, fcriggs hopes to cover the flight in 12 hours. Later he will essay a flight to Dunedin from Auckland in one day. TARIFF PROBLEMS. Melbourne, July 13. The Tariff Board debate was resumed in the House of Representatives. Mr. Fenton moved an amendment that the Bill be recast to provide for guarantees from the producer that the consumer should obtain local goods at reasonable prices, also to secure proper wages and conditions for employees in protected industries. The debate was adjourned