AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 July 1922, Page 6

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

QUEENSLAND FINANCE. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Brisbane, July 3. The revenue returns for the year show a deficit of £lBB,OOO. NEW STATES MOVEMENT. Sydney, July 3. An all Australia conference of the new States movement has opened at Albury with the object of formulating a policy common to all new State movements, with a view to securing an amendment of the Federal constitution to enable the Commonwealth Government to create States. NAVY OFFICERS RETIRED. Melbourne, July 8. Mr. Massey Gree. announced that compulsory retirements were contemplated in the navy, the same as in the army, but the number of redundant officers’ ratings was considerably less, owing to the fact that a number had been lent by the British Navy who would be returned. The basis of compensation would be the same as in the army, with certain adjustments. INDIANS’ PASSPORTS. Melbourne, July 3. Mr. Sastri discussed the matter of passports, prior to leaving for Sydney. Interviewed, he said he had done his part and it remained for various Governments to do theirs. He had no requests from New Zealand, as the Dominion placed no disabilities on Indian jectsGALE IN ADELAIDE. Adelaide, July 3. A boisterous wind during the weekend caused extensive damage in the I northern end of the city. Houses and I verandahs were unroofed and chimneys I blown down. TASMANIAN REVENUE. Hobart, July 4. The revenue is £2,178,000, an increase of £72,500 on the previous year. BUILDING IN SYDNEY. •vary. Sydney, July 4. New buildings in the metropolitan and suburban areas to June 30 decreased by 1782 and £57.000 in value. The total figures were 7926 new buildings at a cost of £9,546,000: compared with 9928 buildings at a cost of £6,930,000 in 1914. INDUSTRIAL LEGISLATION. Sydney, July 4. The Morning Herald states that a Bill is to be introduced irf the forthcoming Parliamentary session for the purpose of reforming industrial arbitration and assisting to solve the industrial unrest.

It will provide for the establishment of shop committees and industrial councils, partially substituting conciliation for compulsory arbitration; the repeal of the power of the Board of Trade to fix a basic wage for rural workers; and will give power to award a wage below the basic wage where it is proved the industry cannot afford to pay the ruling minimum wage.

SHEARERS’ AWARD. Sydney, July 4. The secretary of the Graziers’ Association states that a number of sheds have started shearing on the new £ward rates and labor is offering freely. The Shearers’ Union officials claim that some owners have conceded their demands, regarding which they remain firm. GERMAN SHIPPING GROWING. Sydney, July 4. Mr. M. P. Cordie, general manager in Australia for the Royal Packet Line, on his return from Java, scouted the suggestion that German shipping is waiting in Japanese and Far Eastern ports till August with a view to dumping cargo into Australia, though he admitted that German shipping concerns are gradually increasing the number of their steamers to the East.