AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 October 1921, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

THE PRICE OF BREAD. By Telegraph.—-Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Oct. 27, 9.30 p.m. Sydney, Oct. 27. The caucus sanctioned the Wheat Acquisition Bill. Cabinet agreeing to guarantee that the price of bread would be reduced to fourpence a loaf, and absolute preference would be given to unionists in handling the wheat crop. NEW STATE CONFERENCE. Sydney. Oct. 26. The Riverina New State Conference sitting in Narrandera decided that any New State Parliament should contain not more than 30 members paid £-2 2s per sitting and not paid in the event of absence, and that not more than 60 sittings be held yearly. A Riverina new State, movement decided instead of endeavoring to amalgamate with Victoria that steps be taken by residents of Monaro electorate, New South Wales, to join with those of East Gippsiand and Victoria for the purpose of forming a new State. AN ELECTION PROBLEM. Sydney, Oct. 26. In the Assembly Mr. Dooley introduced a Bill to amend the Parliamentary Casual Vacancies Act Bill which provides that the leader of the party, whose interests are concerned shall have the right to nominate a member to temporarily fill the vacancy until the byelection is held. The. Bill is introduced as a matter of urgency in order to fill the Goulbourn seat. WHEAT POOL HITCH. Sydney, Oct. 26. The. caucus refused to sanction the Wheat Acquisition Bill, which provides for a wheat pool, members requiring a guarantee that the price of bread should be reduced. As a result Ministers, who strongly criticised the procrastination in inaugurating the pool, adjourned the discussion until Thursday. FINANCING HOSPITALS. Sydney, Oct. 27. Senator McGirr announced the intention of the Government to discontinue State aid for the hospitals. A scheme was being devised for compulsory contributions of employers and employees so that patients should not feel they were objects of charity. SHALE OIL DISTILLATION. Sydney, Oct. 27. It is reported that the new treatment of kerosene shale at the Commonwealth Oil Corporation mine at Lithgow promises most important restilts, Up to the present, the cost of distillation has retarded the development of the indbs* try, therefore it has been decided to try a new method by forming natural retorts in the shale itself, sealing oil certain areas and setting fire to the chamber of shale thus constructed. If. is stated that the first trial proved most successful, oil flowing in such voliime that it was not possible to provide containers for it. • COST OF SHIPBUILDING. Melbourne, Oct. 27. The Herald published details of the sale of eight ships, which changed hands in England at £4 10s to £7 per ton, whilst the Commonwealth is budding similar steamers .in Australia cost-