AUSTRALIAN AFFAIRS

Evening Star, Issue 17958, 3 May 1922, Page 4

AUSTRALIAN AFFAIRS

Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Press Association. BUBONIC PLAGUE. MELBOURNE, May 2. The Director-General of tho Federal Public Health Department, in warning against tho relaxation of the campaign against rats, states that so far tho public efforts have kept the plague from sweeping tho continent;' but any slackening might undo all that has been done, although the epidemic is now approaching its close. SYDNEY, May 2, A diagnosis of the three plague suspects showed) that they arc suffering from plague. Two- are from Botany and one from Rc-dfcrn. All arc from tho new plague-infected area. There have now been twenty-seven eases and. seven deaths. SENATOR’S TRAGIC DEATH. BRISBANE, May 2. Senator Adamson was cut to pieces by a train at Hondra. He had been in bad health for a considerable time, and l it is slated that ho threw himself in front of the train. [Senator John Adamson, C.8.E., was one of the Queensland representatives in the Commonwealth Senate.] SYDNEY’S ELECTRIC SUPPLY. SYDNEY, May 2, Tho committee of the City Council which is investigating the causes of the high cost of Sydney’s electric supply states that to produce cinront valued at £356,000 in- Melbourne cost £24,000, while the production of £943,000 worth of enrrentin Sydney cost £147,000. On tho Melbourne basis it should- cost only about half that amount. NEW SOUTH WALES ORCHESTRA. MELBOURNE, May 5. (Received A fay 3, at 11.30 a.m.) The eommitco of tho Victorian guarantee fund for tho Conserva.tcrium Orchestra is inquiring in New South Wales if it is liable for any losses on the orchestra’s tour of Victoria. Tho committee contends that it is not pledged to tho present tour. BEEF SUBSIDY. WORKERS ACCEPT WAGE REDUCTION. SYDNEY, May 3. (Received May 3, at 11.35 a.m.) Mr Hughes says that the beef subsidy offered by tho Commonwealth would operate immediately. Tiro chief stumbling block was tho reduction in wages. This had been overcome, and an agreement reached by which wages would bo reduced by 12s per week. THE MORWELL SCHEME. GERMAN EXPERTS NOW DECLINE TO COME. LONDON, May 1. A pieplant, sequel to Air Hughes’s recent refusal to allow some German engineers to hand at Melbourne for the purpose of erecting tho Morwoll Unquoting Company’s plant is that, permission having been subsequently granted, the Gormans now refuse to go. They declare that their wives will not let them, fearing they will receive a hostile reception in Australia.—A. and ’N.Z. Cable. LEGISLATORS’ SALARIES. "SYDNEY, May 3. (Received May 3, at 11.35 a.m.) Tho Assembly, by 43 votes to 35. rejected a clausa in the Salaries Bill making provision for a n.c Progressives voted with Labor in tho majority. The Government- did not repair'd defeat as vital. The. clause reducing members’ salaries, to £6CO per annum was carried by 43 votes to 33. Labor voted with tho minority. The House sat all night discussing amendments to reduce Ministers’ salaries. AUSTRALIA. SYDNEY, May 3. (Received May 5, at, 11.30 a.m.) Mr Hughes denies the report that the warship Australia. is to bo sunk. Ho says her future is uncertain until the result, of the Washington Conference is definitely known. Tho Rand wick Council adopted a motion that the. Commonwealth be asked to sink the Australia off Coogee, the ship f-i bo utilised as a pier for erecting a shark-prop! fence. FR-EIG H T R E-DTT CTIO NS. "SYDNEY, May 5. (Received May 3. -at 11.30 a.m.) A reduction of 23s per ton on coal freights from Ne.woa.stlo to Queensland ports is announced by the, Adelaide AS. Company. It is slated that other inler(e companies also intend reducing their coal freights, with the object of -nrsistin;; industry. A special reduction of copper orvy and blister copper freights from North Queensland to Port Kernbla is announced. SYDNEY CITY COUNCIL. "SYDNEY, May 5. (Received May 3. at 11.00 a.m.) Sydney City Council, by 16 votes to 3, repeated its request lor tho appointment of -a, Royal Commission to inquire into tho affairs elf too city, Tho previous Government refused the request on the ground that no specific charges had been, made. IDLE SHIPS. .SYDNEY, May 3. (Received May 3, at 11.35 a.m.) As. a result of the falling-olf in tho hrlcistat-o cargo trade, five Adelaide learners are idle in Sydney. It is expected that tho approaching sugar season will call for increased tonnage shortly. LAND SETTLEMENT. SYDNEY, May 3. (Received May 3, at 11.30 a.m.) Mr Hughes -and Sir George Fuller conferred on. the laud settlement scheme. Both si.ro' in. agreement, on essential points. Tho financial'burden will bo apportioned equally among tho Commonwealth, State, and Imperial Governments. BEES AS “NOXIOUS ANIMALS.” SYDNEY, May 3. (Received May 3, at 11.55 a.m.) Tim Minister of Labor announced that tho Parker, Council had declared _ bees noxious animals. Acting on the advice, of the Crown Solicitor, tho Minister notified the council that there was no power to declare insects noxious. ADMIRAL DUMARESQ REDDIES. BRISBANE, May 3. (Received May 3, at 11.30 a.m.) Admiral Dumaresq, an replying to Air Hughes, sarcastically remarked : “It would not become me to reply to so great a. man as Mr Hughes.” The Admiral added that ho did not want to say in England about tho Navy what bo would not say in A usd-! .ilia.: hence his observations.