AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20788, 23 February 1933, Page 13

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

REPRESENTATION IN ENGLAND. AUSTRALIA'S POSITION. ICMITAD TRESS ASSOCIATION— T.T tLECTkIC TEi.IOKA.Pfi— CCtftlOHT.) LONDON, Fobru&ry 21. Mr P. M. BrUce (Australian Miniator in London), who was a guest At tho Canadian Chamber of ConimOrco annual luncheon, made his first public pronouncement on the future of Australian representation in London. He said: "I cannot believe that the system Of maintaining a Cabinet Minister in London will be extended by Australia or followed by the other Dominions. I am here as a Minister still in the Government to do certain specific jobs, after which I will return to Australia. We may temporarily continue keeping some Minister here, but it ift unlikely that we will always be able to spare one, consequently we will probably revert to the system of a High Commissioner, which, after all, worked fairly woll.'' In a subsequent interview Mr Bruce declined to amplify, his luncheon remarks, but the specific jobs referred to may now bo regarded as almost entirely financial. Mr Bruce, however, commenced to occupy his official residence at Ennismore Gardens only in January, and this, with other factors, may be interpreted as meaning that he will stay at least another three months.

SUGAR PRODUCTION IN AUSTRALIA, DECREASE LAST YEAR. SYDXEY, February 21. The Queensland cane sugar production last year was 513,187 tons. Now South Walos produced 18,000 tons, while Victoria grew 3000 tons of boot sugar, the total being 530,187 tons, or 74,000 tons loss than in 1031. Sixty-four per cent, was absorbed by homo consumption. The Average overset! price is estimated at £lO a ton, £1 below the previous yfear. TROUBLE OVER COAL FOR RAILWAYS. PERTH, February 21. The refusal of the Railway Department to pay increased prices for coal from the Collie mines theratens to produce an industrial crisis. The Labour organisations support the contracts being given to Collie, but the Minister for Railways, Mr J. Scaddan, contends that the prices asked are unwarranted. In the meantime largo quantities Newcastle coal have arrived or are afloat. f! MUCH DAMAGE DONE BY FIRE. ( Received February 22, 10.15 p.m.) SYDNEY. February 22. A fire at Trundle, in the western Wheat area of New South Wales, destroyed seven shops and the loeal newspaper office. The damage is estimated at many thousands. N.S.W. CONVERSION. ISSUE UNDERWRITTEN. (tJKITICb P.IK'SS ASSOCIATION —iIY ELECTRIC TELEGKA.PH—-COPYRIGHT-) (Received February 23, 12.35 a.m.) LONDON, February 22, The £0,600,000 Now 8014 th Wales 4 per cent, loan maturing on July 1, which is being converted at par into the same amount of Commonwealth 4 per cent, stock redeemable 1955-70 has teen underwritten.