AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 March 1922, Page 8

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

UNEMPLOYED SOLDIERS. By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright. Brisbane, March 6. A meeting of unemployed soldiers carried a resolution that the promoters of the Russian Relief Fund be requested to hand over a portion of the funds for unemployed diggers of Queensland. BROWN AND POLSON’S FIRE. Sydney, March 6. The damage in Brown and Polson’s mill fire is estimated at between £30,000 and £40,000. AERIAL MAIL MISHAF. Perth, March 6. The north-west aerial mail again came to grief at Gerlddton. A wheel struck a stump and burst a tyre. The propeller and left wing were damaged, but nobody was injured. INTER TRIBAL FIGHT. Melbourne, March 6. It is officially stated that an inter-tribal fight has occurred in New Guinea, a chief and 20 natives being killed. A patrol was sent to the district to prevent further trouble, and fell into a native ambush. A skirmish followed, in which three natives were wounded. One was in a dying condition and suffering so severely that he was put out of his misery by the patrol, who were actuated presumably by motives of humanity. As a result of this action the patrol leader was charged with manslaughter and was sentenced to twelve months’ hard labor. HOTEL SAFE RIFLED. Melbourne, March 6. Burglars stunned, bound and gagged Killian, night porter at the Grand Hotel, and rifled the safe of about £7OO, including £550 lodged for safe keeping by Drayson, the actress. They then visited the White Hart Hotel, adjoining, but were surprised and decamped before they had made a haul. DECREASED PRODUCTION. Sydney, March 6. Mr. McGregor, British Trade Commissioner, shows that production in Australia has decreased 20 per cent, since 1913. Consumption has declined 43 per cent. Mr. Hughes has issued a report dealing with Australian trade with Java, in which it is stated that owing to goods not being up to sample and not in accordance with label Australian goods are tabooed in Java. Scarcely any article will commend itself if it bears any indication that it has been produced in Australia. H.M.A.S. MELBOURNE. Melbourne, March 6. Lord Forster has received a letter from Lord Jellicoe expressing appreciation of the visit of the Melbourne to New Zealand waters, also admiration for the crew’s work in rescuing those on the Helen B. Sterling. The hope was expressed that the Chatham would join the Australian Navy for future exercises; also that the Melbourne would repeat her visit to New Zealand. COAL CONTROL BOARD Sydney, March 6. Colliery agents communicated with Mr. Hughes, urging the abolition of the Coal Control Board. They stated that the Railway Commissioners saved £20,000 by ignoring the injunction of the board when making a contract, and would have saved ah additional £30,000 if all the collieries had been free to tender outside the board. The letter concludes: “The extravagant prices paid for coal during the past three years were due to the operations of the board.”