AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 January 1922, Page 8

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

LIQUOR IN NEW HEBRIDES.

By Telegraph.—Press Assn —Copyright Sydney, Jan. 25.

Speaking at a missionary reception, the Rev. Mr. Paterson said: “We need prohibition in the New Hebrides because, although the law prohibits the sale of liquor to natives, it is sold openly.” MUNICIPAL SCANDALS. Sydney, Jan. 25. The City Council has decided, in view of degrading charges and counter-charges which have been made in the council seriously reflecting upon its bona tides, to ask for the appointment of a Royal Commission of investigation, particularly into the resumption proposals for the acquirement of municipal mines and other properties and tenders. The charges refer to a period prior to the recent elections. INTER-STATE TELEPHONES. Melbourne, Jan. 25. The second telephone line to Sydney has been opened, and will relieve congestion on the initial line. EAGER POLITICIANS. « Melbourne, Jan. 25. There is a great rush of candidates for the vacancy in the Federal Parliament caused by Mr. Tudor’s death. Twentyeight have been nominated. ALIEN REGISTRATION ABOLISHED. Melbourne, Jan. 24. The Federal Government has announced the abolition of alien registration, as all States are not co-operating in the work. TASMANIA’S BURDEN. Hobart, Jan. 25. Speaking at the Governor’s farewell, Mr. Murdoch, a member of the Legislative Council, declared that unless radical alterations were made in Tasmania’s financial arrangements with the Commonwealth, probably a deputation would be found knocking at the door of the Imperial authorities in London, seeking' for relief from the Federal pact. He complained of the burden of Federal taxation that Tasmania has been compelled to bear, and that the State received hardly anything in return, while the Federal legislation was ruining island industries. LABOR TROUBLE BREWING. i Sydney, Jan. 25. It is announced that any attempt to reduce wages at the Broken Hill Company's steel works will be resisted. The City Council has rescinded a resolution adopted in 1916 providing for preference to unio iists in its employment, and affirmed the preference given to returned soldiers. WALLAROO COPPER MINES. Adelaide, Jan. 25. With a view to obviating the directors’ decision to close the Wallaroo mines owing to the unremunerative cost of production, the unions have offered to come to an arrangement. The directors are considering the offer.