AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLI, Issue 9390, 11 December 1920, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

■ '■■;■,'■■'■; '). (Per Press Association Copyright.)

.^.--r SYDNEY, December 10, The" "New -a South Wales Assembly amend, the 1< air Rent Bill by providing that owners of houses. must go to the Court for permission before raising the rents of ; houses.

(Received December 11, 9.5 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. The Commonwealth team of twelve competes at. .the New Zealand Rifle Associaiscm's -'meeting in March. The Assembly read a first time the Bill enlarging the operations of the Government Savings Bank by 4>he addition of a rural department to assist primary producers and associated industries. Loans will range from £50 to £2000. The total available will hot exceed £5,000,000. . , ;

(Received December 11, 11.35 a.m.) SYDNEY^ This Day., There is a growing feeling that the prohibition referendum, which should be taken before June 30, should be abandoned on account of the provision for compensation. The amount involved is estimated from £10,000,000 to £15,000,000.•; „-; .; :. I •Notwithstanding the High Court injunction restraining Walsh from acting as secretary of the Seamen's Union, the latter body has overridden its executive and declared that" it will continue to recognise Walsh as secretary. In the Assembly the Bill to reinstate 11. D. Meagher on the roll of solicitors was read a second time.

(Received December 11, 11.35 a.m.) MELBOURNE, This Day. / The shipbuilding hitch has been overcome and an agreement with the Commonwealth has been signed by the unions concerned. , Mr Hughes has .announced that the Commonwealth Civil Servant salaries ,are to, be'increased from £190 £208, with proportionate increases to £300,; also 5s allowance for each child. Mr Hughes had a conference with the woollen industries, and stressed the urgency of 'the Commonwealth vigorously promoting manufactures. „He said the Government would assist in obtaining" machinery rfor the work bf; orga^sMiort. ; .

•--■■- '''*!■! .. BRISBANE, This Day. ■'!Mt '.F.'-'E: Urquhart, Commissioner of Police; ♦ 'has been appointed Administrator of the l Northern Territory, in succession to Dr. J. A. Gilruth.

Torrential rainfalls are recorded in the Maryborough district.