AUSTRALIAN AFFAIRS

Evening Star, Issue 16090, 15 April 1916, Page 8

AUSTRALIAN AFFAIRS

LIQUOR TRADE COMBINE.

DILUTION OF DRINK PROPOSED

Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright,

MELBOURNE, April 15. (Received April 16, at 9 a.m.) The various branches of tho liquor trnd l havo formed a Defence Union, and have agreed to contribute £20,000 annually to promote unity. The union recommende'd a reduction of 25 per cent." of the alcoholic strength of liquors.

CONSCRIPTION OP WEALTH,

PERTH, April 15. (Received April 15, at 9 a.m.) Tho Labor Federation passed a, motion urging tho Commonwealth to conscript all wealth for war purposes.

INDUSTRIAL CONDITIONS,

SYDNEY, April 15. (Received April 15, at 9 a.m.) _ The report of the Commonwealth Stafor the past quarter shows a general improvement in industrial conditions in the Commonwealth. There were 149 trade disputes reS. U i&"§J n - tho loss of 23S > 304 days and £-120,406 m wages.

SYDNEY MUNICIPAL RATING

SYDNEY, April 15. (Received April 15, at 8.40 a.m.) The City Council have approved a rating of 4(1 m tho £ on unimproved values only. Previously improved values bore a portion of tho rating.

FOOD PRICES PEGULATION,

SYDNEY, April 15, (Received April 15, at 9 a.m.) The Commodities Commission have decided not to increase the prices of cheese, ham, bacon, or pork.

NOT A WHITE MAN'S JOB,

PERTH, April 15, (Received April 15, at 9 a.m.) An expert gave evidence before the Pearling Commission at Goraldton that white divers were a failure.

CLOSED DOWN.

SYDNEY, April 14. Itio parliamentary session has closecL_

NEAV TASMANIAN CABINET,

HOJ3ART, April 15. (Received April 15, at 9 a.m.) Tlie Ministry are as follow: Mr Lee, Premier, Chief SecretaryEducation. ' Mr Lewis, Treasurer, Mines. Mr Propstine:, Attorney-general. Mr Shields, Railways. Mr Hays, Honor;;rv Minister. Mr Marshall, "Whip.