AUSTRALIAN CABLES.

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 119, 19 May 1920, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN CABLES.

ISLAND EXPERT. MELBOURNE, this day. Mr. W, H. Lucas, Islands manager for Burns, Philp and Co., has been appointed expert adviser on Pacific Island matters.—(A. and N.Z. Cable.) BRITISH RIFLE TEAM. MELBOURNE, this day. The British rifle team arrives in September.—(A. and N.Z. Cable.) COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS. MELBOURNE, this day. To the end of March soldiers' settlement cost the Comonwcalth £7,201,673. The Commonwealth public debt now ■ ; .nounts to £345,120,007. In the House of Representatives Mr. W. Willis gave notice of the introduction of a bill to provide for extension of the moratorium. The Oil Agreement Bill was read a third

time—(A. and N.Z.,Cable.) GOVERNMENT AND STRIKES. ADELAIDE, this day. The Premier, in ;i policy speech, forecasted clectora lreforin in the direction of nrefercntial voting. Increased taxation would be necessary. Referring to increased wages to Government employees, the Premier eaid that the Government had decided that if the men refused to accept the wages fixed as a result of judicial inquiry, but ivent on strike, they would close down all Government works.—(A. and N.Z. Cable.) OUT OF THE PROCESSION. BYDSTEY, this day. The City Council is protesting against the action of the committee controlling the welcome to the Prince of Wales in ignoring councillors by eliminating them from their proper placo in the Royal procession.— (A. and N.Z. Cable.) SUBSIDISING THE FAMILY. SYDNEY, this day. Replying to a deputation of mothers, who told distressing stories of poverty, Mr. ilcGirr, Minister of Labour, said he would stand or fall by the bill which he was introducing for the endowment of all children in excess of two in the family at the rate of 7/0 a week each, which was estimated to cost £2,800,000 annually.—(A. and N.Z. Cable.) BROKEN HILL, DISPUTE. SYDNEY, this day. .-The "Government has appointed a Board of Trade to adjudicate in the Broken Hill strike dispute, which lasted twelve months and has involved £1,204,000 in wages.—(A. and N.Z.) PRESBYTERIAN IMMIGRANTS. SYDNEY, this day. The Presbyterian Assembly has decided to send a director of immigration to London. His duties include the securing of ministers and missionaries for Australia. —(A. and N.Z. Cable.) N.Z. RUGBY TOUR. SYDNEY, this day. The. Rugby Union announced that a team from Now Zealand will play Sydney on July 24.. 31, and" August 2.—(A. and N-Z. Cable.)