AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 July 1922, Page 7

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

PRISONER BREAKS PAROLE. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Melbourne, July 17. William Higgins, a prisoner at Pentbridge, whilst working in the prison shop, injured his eye and was taken to the hospital for outside treatment under pledge that he would not attempt to escape. His handcuffs were removed after treatment, and when the warder’s back was turned Higgins bolted. The warder pursued him, firing his revolver, but the man escaped. MICE CAUSE FIRES. Sydney, July 17. A series of destructive fires at Gundagai, including two public halls, is attributed to mice being driven into the residences from cleared paddocks owing to the cold weather. SYDNEY WOMEN AT WINE BARS. Sydney, July 17. The investigation committee of the Women’s Council, collecting evidence in' favor of Prohibition, is systematically visiting the city wine bars, and has discovered that extensive drinking exists among women and. girls. In one case sixteen girls were found drinking. Many were intoxicated, some with children in their arms. Another visit to seven bars discovered 72 females, mostly girls. MONEY AND IMMIGRANTS. Perth, July 17. The Premier (Sir James Mitchell) has returned highly satisfied with the result of his mission to England. He stated that he had obtained much more loan money than he expected, plenty to provide work for everybody who wanted it. It was proposed to bring to Westralia within three years 75,000 immigrants. The Premier outlined extensive proposals for clearing land, wheat growing, railway development and other public works. Five million sterling would be lent to producers. STEEL TRADE PROSPECTS. Newcastle, July 17. Mr. Clegg, manager of the Commonwealth Steel Products Company, states that, since the alterations in the awards together with the sacrifices inade by the company, they have been able to reduce prices to the English and American level, resulting in an impetus to the trade and also enabling the company to re-employ practically the whole of the staff engaged before the depression. NORTHERN TERRITORY POLICY. Melbourne, July 18. Mr. Pearce, in an outline of the Government’s policy in. the Northern Territory, said the Government had vainly spent £240,900 in encouraging the mining industry since 1911, whilst the pastoral industry, which needed the greatest assistance, had received the least. Agricultural development had been a failure. He also said that the Government in -future proposed practically to concentrate on the development of the pastoral industry. DEBT ON STATE TRAWLERS. Sydney, July 17. An investigation by the Government into the operation of State trawlers led to the discovery that £43,000 had been owing for a number of years to the VV&lsh Island dockyards. The debt represents vessels in tiie trawling fleet which have not yet been paid for. TASMANIAN COALITION FAILS. Hobart, July 18. The conference of Nationalists and Country Parties with a view to forming a Coalition anti-Socialist Government proved futile. EMPIRE WIRELESS. Melbourne, July 18. Mr. Hughes received a cable confirming ' the decision that the British Government had decided to erect a. wireless station in. England capable of communicating direct with Australia. He expressed himself as highly pleased with the decision, as.it removed all doubt regarding the efficiency of highpower stations to communicate direct over such vast distances. It meant there would be one system throughout the Empire, and the removal of the isolation from which distant parts of the Empire suffered.