AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 May 1922, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

.VOEUNTARY WHEAT POOL. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Sydney,' May 23. Sir George -Fuller reiterated that the Government was in favour of a voluntary wneat pool, which had produced successful results. The Government was prepared to encourage its continuance. COMMUMS'M CONDEMNED. Sydney, May 23. Sir George Fuller, at the Drummoyne function, referring to the growth of Communism, said that determined, insidious and systematic attempts were being made to destroy the elements in national life which made the British Empire a power for world good and the foundations of the national structure were being eaten by a malignant growth which must be eradicated. LANGUISHING - INDUSTRIES. Sydney, May 23. The Sydney Morning Herald, in a special article dealing with languishing industries, declares that if Australia is have access to foreign markets for the sale of coal the cost of production must ibe materially reduced. The wages of miners are very high. Though the cost of living has fallen, wages In the coal industry have not been reduced, but increased 100 per cent, since 1913. It is obvious that Australia cannot continue to pay these high wages and compete with cheaper producing countries, neither can the tariff be raised to keep the manufactures of thAse countries out. That would only mean bleeding the consumer, who is really the worker. The Herald declares that Government control is throttling industry and is largely responsible for destroying trade. Continental nations and America have captured former valuable overseas trade which. Australia enjoyed, and shut her out from the world’s markets.

COAL WAGES AND PROFITS. Sydney, Maj 23. Mr. Henley, in a criticism of the Commonwealth Government, which he abuses of political huckstering in connection with its attitude towards the coal industry, says the industry is being strangled by the owners and miners and the Commonwealth. Some jainers are receiving £3O per fortnight, whilst owners are making upwards of 50 per cent. N.S.W. AIjIJA'/CE. Sydney, May 23. * The annual report of the New South Wales Alliance states that the result of the elections has placed the Alliance in a position of political strength hitherto never dreamed of. The Alliance undertook a campaign *to obtain sufficient signatures to ensure the return of a majority of the members of Parliament in fovour of the liquor referendum. An analysis of the new Parliament shows that 55 members are pledged to a referendum, 32 of these are known to be prohibitionists and* there are probably more.

THE BADAK CASE. Sydney, May 23. The Sydney Herald now states, in connection with the Badak case that, owing to the remarks which passed between the judge and the foreman of the jury being indistinctly heard a mistake wsis made in the-'T'eport in stating that the rider applied to Orton individually. The rider*"which expressed the jury’s belief -That accused were guilty of misrepresentation really applied to Clarke and Scarborough as well as Orton. PUBLIC QUESTIONS SOCIETY. Sydney, May 23. Mr. A. B. Peddington has resigned the presidency of the Public .Questions Society at Sydney University, as he is unable to agree to the invitation to Mrs. Besant to address the students. In a letter he explained that the society was in search of truth and, as Mrs. Besant refused an inquiry into Mr. Leadbettqr’s career, she was ebviously out of her element and was not entitled to be heard by a society existing for the pursuit of truth. PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION. Melbourne, May 23. It is understood a marked difference of opinion exists in the Coalition respecting the suggested abolition of proportional representation. The National organisation is avowedly opposed to the proportional system, but the Progressives regard it as essential to their existence. A clash is anticipated when the Government takes steps to amend the electoral system next session. COMMONWEALTH VESSELS. Melbourne, May 23. Mr. G. H. Kneen, new general manager in Australia for the Commonwealth, arrived by the Moreton Bay. He said the line had come to stay. Despite much adverse criticism and trouble with the unions, the line w(|s receiving a fair share of business and would win through. BARNARDO BOYS ARRIVE. Sydney, May 23. Over 90 boys between 13 and 18 years of age arrived by the Moreton Bay under the Dr. Barnardo and Dreadnought schemes to settle in New South Wales. Mason, eulogising the conduct of the boys on board, said that New South Wales was receiving a splendid type of citizen. A CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTOR. Adelaide, May\23. W. Pfeiffer, stroke of the Murray Bridg crew, is the object of a controversy, one returned soldier contending that, as Pfeiffer on account of conscientious objections did not go to the war, he is not the right man to represent Australia at Henley. The Rowing Club passed a resolution of sympathy with Pfeiffer, stating that he retains the full confidence and esteem of his colleagues, despite the attempts made to discredit him.