AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 May 1922, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

THE LIQUOR QUESTION. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Sydney, May 29. A deputation of temperance bodies asked the Premier for an immediate referendum on the liquor question and the limitation of compensation to £7,000,000. Sir George Fuller, in reply, said he would ask Cabinet, to define the policy on the liquor question, but at present nothing definite was decided. THE BASIC WAGE. Sydney, May 29. Before the Full Court argument has commenced on the question of xhe legality of the Board of Trade declaring the basic wage more frequently than once annually. The matter arose out of an application to reduce bread carters’ wages.

MISSING MANUREWA INQUIRY. Sydney, May 30. Captain Cummins, superintendent of navigation, is opening an inquiry on Wednesday as to the missing Manurewa. MURRAY SETTLEMENT. Sydney, May 30. A Parliamentary party embracing Nationalists and Progressives is undertaking a 12 days tour of the Murray lands where the Government proposes carrying out the colonising plan. Labour members so far have refrained from joining the party on the grounds that they are unable to afford the expense, especially in view of the recent decrease in Parliamentary salaries. COUNCIL SHORT OF FUNDS. Sydney, May 30. A deputation representing the Town Planning Association submitted an ambitious scheme for the beautification cf the city to the Lord Mayor. It was in the direction of demolishing slums, widening streets, and providing playgrounds for children in congested residential quarters. The Lord Mayor was sympathetic, but explained it was largely a matter for the viovernment, as the council lacked funds. PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION. Sydney, May 30. Mi*. J. Clark, ex-Labour member for Wammerawa, is lodging a protest with the Governor against the election of Mr. Ashford, Independent Nationalist, on the grounds that the returning officer at Wammerawa wrongly distributed the preferences. Mr. Clark maintains l»e should have been elected. It is understood the case will be a test for other seats.

FARMERS’ CONFERENCE. Sydney, May 30. A Federal Country Party rally is being organised in conjunction with the conference of Australian Farmers’ Associations in Adelaide in the middle of June. The conference will discuss subjects affecting producers’ interests in their economic, social and political aspects. WHEAT POOL CASE. Melbourne, May 30. A test case has commenced in the High Court which involves the question whether the South Australian Governmen should pay £2,000,000 to scripholders in the 1916-17 pool as compensation for five million bushels of wheat destroyed by mice and the weather. CLEANING GF SYDNEY.

Sydney, May 30. A special meeting of the Health Committee of the City Council decided not to discontinue the city cleaning by day labour in favour of the contract system. Aiderman Nicholls, who previously stated that the council could save £50,000 by the abolition of day labour, asked by the chairman for an outline of his scheme said he had no definite proposal to make beyond that tenders should be invited for the work.