AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2502, 1 July 1915, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

THE SUGAR PROBLEM 'ACTION BY THE QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Brisbane, June 30. Acting under an agreement with the 'Federal authorities, the State Government mil acquire the whole of the 1915 sugar production in Queensland at aprice averaging £18 per ton for the raw sugar. The Commonwealth Government will then purchase iat cost price and Bell to ,the community, using its powers to place the product on the market at its own expense and at the best- possible price. The agreement provides that the Commonwealth and Queensland Governments should co-operate for the benefit of the consumers and the protection of those engaged in the industry. The Premier (Mr. Ryan) considers the . arrangement a strong guarantee for the stability of the industry and a solution of the present difficulties. He anticipates that the existing refineries will refine the raw material. He does not think any difficulty will arise on this phase of the-question, but that special legislation might become necessary. It is estimated that the crop will be 120,000 to 130,000 tons. On this esti- • mate the purchasing price of the crop, will 1 be about £2,250,000. AUSTRALIA'S MORNINC DRINK. "A PUBLIC OFFICER'S COMMENT. (Reo. June 30, 11.10 p.m.) Melbourne, June 30. , The report" of the Inspector of Inebriate Institutions says:—"The ■question of grocers' licenses requires careful consideration. Many inmates of the women's institution have suffered owing to the facility with which they obtained alcohol from the grocers. So far as the nation is'concerned, it seems to me that our industrial efficiency is endangered by : the workers' moniing drink, be he labourer," merchant, or professional man." ( , . He suggests that .the hotels should not be opened before noon. A "NICE" SPECIMEN OF MANHOOD YOUNG MAN FINED FOR DISLOYAL v UTTERANCES; Melbourne, June 30. A young man iiamed Davidson has been fined £10 for using disloyal words. He said: "All the Australians who have gone to the front are 'rotters.' " He offered to bet £5 that the Germans would be here in six months. The Magistrate, in telling Davidson that he ought to be fighting, declared: — - "You are not fit to wipe the shoes of those who have gone to the front," 6TATE PURCHASE OF WHEAT AND RABBITS. A CO-OPERATIVE SCHEME. • Sydney, June 30. The Attorney-General (the Hon. D. R. Hall) has announced that the Government intends to take up a co-operative wheat-buying , scheme in competition iVith private Tvlieat merchants; also to conduct a rabbit supply business to ensure cheap meat. ■ A NATION iN ARMS. TO DEFEND AUSTRALIA AGAINST ALL-COMERS. Sydney, June 30. Mr. A. Cannichael, in a speech stressing the critical war position as' revealed by the cable messages, again strongly urged his.scheme of compulsory , registration and compulsory drill of all eligibles, and the need for having a nation in arms with a- definite object, prepared to defend Australia against allcomers. ■ ITEMS IN BRIEF. ' QUEENSLAND STOCK RETURNS. (Ret>. June 30, 11.10 p.m.)\_ Brisbane, June 30. The official stock returns, as at January 1 last, showed that the number of horses in Queensland wa's 743,050, an increase of 35,794; cattle, 0,450,943, au inorease of 133,910; sheep, 23,129,919, an increase of 1,343,319; pigs, 160,633, an increase of 26,508. ' •CROPS OF FARMER-SOLDIERS TO BE CARED FOR. Sydney, June 30. In the Assembly, the Minister of 'Agriculture (the Hon. W. G. Ashford) gave an assurance that the Government would look after the crop of any farmer wishing to go to the front. A TRUCE TO PARTY STRIFE. Melbourne, June 30. The Lord Mayor presided at a big meeting representative of all parties and felasses in favour of' the cessation of political party strife during the war. THE LATE VICTOR THUMPER. Sydney, June 30. There are many Press tributes, io the late Mr. Victor Trumper. . JUDGES' SONS AT. THE FRONT. Sydney, June 30. Four Judges of the Supreme Court have' sent seven sons to the front. Lieut. Street, son of Mr. Justice' Street, has been killed, and a'son Of Mr. Justice Simpson wounded. "AUSTRALIA DAY" FUND. Sydney, June 30. The Walter Hall Trust has donated '£4500 to the "Australia Day" Fund.