AUSTRALIAN AFFAIRS

Evening Star, Issue 18030, 26 July 1922, Page 4

AUSTRALIAN AFFAIRS

Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Press Association.

RIVERS VERY HIGH,

SYDNEY, July 25,

The cyclonic, disturbance passed the city without'further damage resulting, but the Hunter, Manning, and HaAvkesbury Rivera districts report that floods are threatenmfiie storm struck the Ulimaroa, enabling her' to establish a record passage. 'Hie gale hit- her astern and droved her forward several hours ahead of time.

WEATHER REPORTS TO BE

RESTORED

SYDNEY, July 26. (Received July 26, at 11.15 a.in.) Tho weather reports have been temporarily restored 1 , it is understood, on .account of the cyclonic disturbance. A scheme has been propounded by which most of the reports will be permanently restored, in consequence of the post office agreeing to give weather telegrams precedence, thus obviating the necessity of sending them, as urgent messages. [Owing to the diminished vote, the Australian Meteorological Bureau was compelled to discontinue the sending of weather and • river reports all over the Commonwealth. Many protests were at once made, both from inland and coastal towns. In the ease of the former it was urged that the reports had been the means of giving timely warning to settlers as to the probability of floods. With regard to the coast, the demands of shipping were emphasised.]

WORK FOR UNEMPLOYED

MELBOURNE, July 26. (Received July 25, at 11.15 a.-rn.)

Mr Hughes announced that the Government was allocating £250,000 to be'SpWt £ for £ with the States on roadways for the, relief of the unemployed. THE COTTON INDUSTRY. -MELBOURNE, July 26. v (Received July 26, at 11.10 a.m.l

Tho Federal Cabinet decided to guarantee the next season’s cotton crop on a £ for £ basis.

TASMANIAN POLITICS,

HOBART, July 26, (Received July 26, at 11.10 a.m.)

In the Assembly the Administrator (Sir Herbert Nicholle) opened the session. Mr Blyth, leader of the Country Party, moved an amendment to the Address-in-Reply to tho effect that the Government did not receive a majority at the recent election.

ISLANDS MAIL SERVICE,

MELBOURNE, July 25.

It is understood that the Federal Government has arranged with the Burns, PhiLp Company for a. renewal of the contract for the carriage of the Pacific Islands mails on practically the same terms as tho existing contract.

PENSION FUND UNFINANCIAL,

SYDNEY, July 26.

(Received July 26, at 12.5 pan.)

Mr T. L. Ley .submitted at report showing that under the State’s superannuation fund, which was initiated in 1919, tho Government had made over-payments proportionate to tho contributions of the employees to tho extent of nearly £500,000. The Minister recommended that tho fund should be closed to new entrants, for whom compulsory life insurance would he submitted. If these and a number of other recommendations wore adopted, it is estimated that tho ‘SrSuTtT' would ho a saving of £439,000 la each of the first two years and of £214,000 yearly afterwards.