AUSTRALIAN AFFAIRS

Evening Star, Issue 17180, 22 October 1919, Page 7

AUSTRALIAN AFFAIRS

Press Ansociatfott--By Telegraph—Copyright. Australian wrf N.Z. Cabta Association,

THE DARWIN REVOEK.

WERE ABMmiSTRATOKS PROFIT. EERSi

MELBOURNE, Ootobar 22. '(Received October 22, at 10.50 a.m.) In the Federal Senate Mr Myles Aloyj «ius Perricks (Q.), referring to the Darwin \ trouble, said it was caused bv a general J belief that Dr Gilruth (the first Director ■ of the Northern Territory) was interested in the Vestey Meat Trust, and that Mr Carey and tha other officials appointed on Dr Gilruth's advice were equally interested in it. In the House of Representatives Mr Glynn, Minister of Home and Territories, stated that steps had been taken to reotore order at Darwin, and warships would shortly arrive there. LORD JELLICOE'S REPORT. MELBOURNE, October 21. Admiral Jellicoe's report has been tabled in the House of Representatives. It traverses the naval problems in the Pacitic as already presented to the New Zealand Government. Australia's contribution to the Far Eastern fleet will involve an annual expenditure of £4,024,600. Sir Joseph Cook stated that steps had been taken already to carry out Lord Jellicoe's recommendations, and reorganisation committees were being formed to inquire into the naval services. ' , _„. October 22. Jelhcoe's report states that the annual expenditure will vary from £4,000,000 during the first vear to nearly £6,000,000 hi the seventh year. The report recommends' better living quarters for tho men, and states that Lord Jelhcoe was struck by want of system prevailing in the Naval Department. SOLDIERS' GRATUITY BONDS. BRISBANE, October 22. _ Mr W. M. Hughes, speaking at a meeting of welcome to him, said tha Government proposed to pay soldiers a war gratuity of Is 6d per' day in bonds, bearing interest- at per cent., not negotiable and not transferable. Special arrangements are to be made for the redemption of the bonds by the Government in cases j of hardship. | Australia's-share in the Gorman indemnity, said the Prime Minister, will be paid before May next, and it may bo used to redeem from 20 per cent, to 40 per cent, of the value of the bonds, which will then be paid in cash. The scheme will involve a liability pf between £23,000,000 and £25.000.000. FEDERAL POLITICS. MELBOURNE, October 2-2. In the Federal Senate Hon. Mr Russell promised that tho closest inquiry would" he made into the Nauru Island agreement. The Entertainment Tax Amendment Bill was passed. In the House of Representatives a Bill providing for preferential voting in elections for the Senate passed all its stages. A PATERNAL GOVERNMENT. SYDNEY, October 22. The New South Wales Assembly read a second time the Children's Endowment Bill by 43 votes to 01, Mr Holman that the Government would stand or fall sy the Bill. EXCESSIVE FERRY FARES. SYDNEY, October 21. . The report of the Commission which inquired into the ferry charges urges that the ferries should be placed under State control. It states that the fares charged in the past have been unreasonably high. THE PRICE OF PAPER.

SYDNEY, October 21. The annual conference of the country Press has opened. A proposal was submitted to enable country proprietors to /.,.. join metropolitan papers in the co-opera-tive purchase of paper and printing materials, thus effecting a great saving.

~ ~ October 22. At the country Press conference Mr Holman stated that the Government intended- to erect a plant immediately to experiment with the manufacture of paper from local timbers.

VICTORIAN CABINET. MELBOURNE. October 22. A reallotment of portfolios is announced as follows .—Mr Clarke. Works; Mr Robinson, Attorney-General; Mr Lawson Lands. ' MR RYAN'S POSITION. BRISBANE, October 21. Mr Ryan, Premier, has resigned the leadership of the Parliamentary Labor Party, and Mr Theodore succeeds him. N.B.W. WHEAT AREA. SYDNEY, October 22. The New South Wales Government Statistician estimates the area under wheat at 2,331,100 acres, showing a decrease of 235,680 acres as compared with last seaion.