AUSTRALIAN AFFAIRS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 302, 21 December 1926, Page 7

AUSTRALIAN AFFAIRS.

RADIO CONTROL. ACTION IN AUSTRALIA. COMMISSION OF INQUIRY. (By Cable. —Press Association.— Copyright.! (Received 12.30 p.m). SYDXEY, this day. I The Commonwealth Government has decided to appoint a Royal Commission to investigate wireless iv Australia with the object of establishing a Commonwealth Department of Radio Control to cover the latitude of transmission and receiving stations and of securing better technical control of radio establishments. DISASTROUS DROUGHT BREAKS BRISBANE, December 20. The disastrous drought has at last broken, and soaking rains are falling throughout Queensland. A rainfall of 25in was recorded in the Gym pie district during the past week. * The rivers in some districts are in flood. TUBE SERVICE OPERATES. SYDXEY, December 20. The 'first section of the city underground railway from the present central station to St. James' station at Hyde Park, was opened for traffic to-day. Large crowds patronised the service, paying an extra twopence for a ride into the heart of the city. Everything went smoothly. ________ LARGER WHEAT FIELD. ADELAIDE, December 20. The Government Statistician estimates the South Australian wheat yield at 35,475,000 bushels, an average of 13.41 bushels an acre. This compares with 28,031,000 bushels last year, at an average of 11.60 bushels an acre. WRIT AGAINST PARSON. SYDXEY, December 20. ' The president of the United Licensed Victuallers' Association has issued a writ, claiming £2000 damages from the Rev. R. B. HHammond, proprietor of a

temperance newspaper, for an alleged libel contained in an article published on December fl, dealing with the question of prohibition in the Federal capital area.