AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 June 1922, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

/ SHEARERS’ DEMANDS. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Sydney, June 14. The shearers continue firm in their demands, various sheds reporting that the men refuse to sign on at the rates prescribed by the recent award. THE UNWANTED VISITOR. .Sydney, June 15. After being ashore for half an hour the Rev. Mr. Ormuz sailed by the Ventura. He intimated his intention of taking action against the Foreign Office in London. FRENCH STEAMERS RESUME. Sydney, June 15. The" inaugural steamer of the regular monthly service from French ports to Australia is the Longsor, formerly the German raider Wolf. She left Marseilles on Jufie 7. This marks the resumption of the Messageries Maritimes Service. Passengers will be carried, but not mails for the' time being. PROHIBITION AGITATION. Sydney, June 15. Owing to the pressure of urgent economic and land legislation during the approaching session of the Assembly, it is proposed to postpone the Liquor Referendum Bill until 1923. The Probibibtion League is sending R. B. S. Hammond on a world tour to investigate first hand the results of liquor reform legislation. Mr. Hammond will visit New Zealand to take part in the campaign and will stay till the end of the year. SAN FRANCISCO SERVICE. (Sydney, June 15. Mr. Sproul, managing agent of the Oceanic Steamship Co- sailed in the Ventura for San Francisco. An announcement is expected from Washington within a month whether the United States is prepared to renew the mail subsidy. It is understood that, if renewed, the company proposed substituting a three-weekly service with faster steamers for the present service. INFERIOR AUSTRALIAN FLOUR. Sydney, June 15. Though the Commonwealth paid £115,000 in settlement of. South Africa’s claims respecting inferior flour, the trouble is still not ended. Shippers are claiming heavy losses sustained in respect of a portion of the flour for which letters of credit had not been provided. The flour was eventually sold at a loss of £2O a ton. It is stated that the loss of one or two shippers amounted to £9OlOOO. A deputation explained'to Mr. Hughes that the flour was declared unfit for human consumption in Durban. It was taken to Poland and sold at £4 to £5, the cost in Australia having been £24 to £25 f.o.b. The deputation argued that it was a moral obligation of the Commonwealth to recoup the shippers, wbr'se aggregated £250,000. Mr. Hughes disclaimed legal or moral obligation, but promised an inquiry. THE WHEAT POOL. Sydney, June 15. Mr, Hughes promised a deputation that the Government would assist the New South Wales wheat pool to make a second payment provided the Governor of the Commonwealth Bank was satisfied with the assets. The deputation explained that when the pool had been paid for and all the wheat sold it would be indebted to the associated banks to the extent of £250,000. So far it had received £3,500.000 from the Commonwealth. The overdraft was £1,500,000, which was covered by 5,500,000 bushels of wheat. NEWCASTLE STEEL WORKS. .'Sydney, June 15. The Broken Hill Proprietary Co. officially states that the price of coal must be reduced and the 48 hour week restored before it can. reopen the Newcastle steel works.