AUSTRALIAN ITEMS.

Feilding Star, Volume XII, Issue 2918, 15 April 1916, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN ITEMS.

(Received April 15, 0 a.m.) ■Sydney, April 15. The Comuioditiev Commission decided' not to increase the prices of cheese, bam. bacon, or pork. The report of the Commonwealth Statistician for tho past <|nailer shows a decided improvement in industrial conditions in the Commonwealth. There were 14!) disputes, resulting in a loss of 235.3111 days, and £120.'100 in wages. Melbourne, April 15. The various branches of the li'pior trade have formed ;i defence union and agreed to contribute £20,000 annually to promote un'ly. They recommended a. reduction to 25 per cent, alcohol strength in honors. Perth, April 15.

An expert nave evidence before the. Pearling Commission at. (ioraldton that white divers were a failure;

The Labour Federation mentioned urging tbe Commonwealth to conscript all wealth for war purposes. Hobart. April 15. Tbe now Ministry consists of the following: Mr Lee. Premier and Chief Secretary of Education; Mr Lewis, Treasurer and Minister of Mines; Mr Propsling. A t lornoy-Cen - oral and Minister of I'ailways; Mr .Shields and Mr Hays. Honorary Ministers. Mr Marshall will be the Ministerial Whip. Sydney. April 1.5. List No. 1.63 contains file names of tb" following Now Zealanders: 111. Driver J. Allen. Private R, Lyall. Those returned to duty total 630. including Major IT. E. Richardson, Lancc-Corpnrnis R. W. Dick. H. W. Simpson. P. H. Kelleway. Sapper J. H. Moore, Artillerymen N. J. Rowling Privates V. T. Dimmock. L. C. Wood, 0. Waghorno. G. McGra-tli. F. 0. Clarke, and 0. P. Dunphy. Insurance companies are advised that inward and outward shipping rates via tlie Mediterranean have been raised to 5 per cent., and via tbe Capo io 4 per cent. The City Council has approved of rating at 'Id in the £ on unimproved values only. Previously improved values bore a portion of the taxation. Obituary. -Rev. Beckonbani, C'oiigregationalist minis!or.