AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLVI, Issue 10532, 23 October 1925, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

SERIOUS FIRE AT. BENDIGO. (Per Press Association—Copyright.) (Received This Day, 9.35 ai.m.) MELBOURUNE, This Day. A fire at Bendigo destroyed a. stable and two shops. The damage is estimated at £20,000. DIVINE GUIDANCE NEEDED. SYDNEY, This Day. The chairman of the Congregational Union has received a letter from the Council of Churches suggesting that the heads of churches recommend, or direct, that special prayers be offered in the churches for Divine guidance in public affairs at the present time. THE QUEENSLAND CABINET. BRISBANE, October 22. Mr McCormack’s reconstructed Ministry has been sworn in. Mr McCormack is Treasurer as well as Premier. Mr Dunstan becomes Minister of Lands, , and Mr Gledson, Minister of State Enterprises. PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION. PROPOSAL FOR ABOLISHMENT. (Received This Day, 9.25 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. In the Legislative Assembly the Chief Secretary gave notice of motion to introduce a Bill to abolish proportional representation and substitute single seats. *

INCREASE IN INCOME TAX. MELBOURNE, October 22. In the Assembly, the State Treasurer delivered the Budget. The revenue during the past year totalled £23,991,000 and expenditure £23,856,000, leaving a surplus of £135,000. The Treasurer estimated the revenue for the current year art £24,833,000, and expenditure at £24,788,000. The Treasurer states that the conditions rendered it imperative to raise further revenue. It was proposed to add Id in the £ to the income tax from personal exertion, and 2d in the £ to the taxes from property and company dividends. He confirmed the announcement that he proposed to institute the totalisator as a means of revenue, which would least detrimentally affect the general public. The State Treasurer expects to receive £287,000 additional revenue from the increases in income-tax.