AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Feilding Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 4593, 19 May 1922, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

SOME GENERAL ITEMS. (By Electric OarnV--Copyright.) (Aust. and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received May 19, noon.) Premier Fuller informed a depuSydney, May 19. tation from South-west Riverina that tho Government intended connecting Riverina by rail with Melbourne, so that settlers could get their produce to the nearest market. Negotiations would be opened without delay. He saw no reason why a lino should not be constructed in. accordance with the Victorian gauge. The Rt. lion R. Ball has just returned i from tho Butter Conference in Melbourne. Ho announced an agreement had been reached on the question of clashing authority respecting the inspection of grading of butter for export by the Federal and Stato authorities. Judge llolin is submitting test questions to the full Arbitration Court dealing with the basic wage. The questions asked are whether the Board is entitled to make an award within 12 months of the previous award; whotlTer the declaration was valid or not; also whether tho Court is bound to act on tho Board's decision.

Melbourne. May 19. i Mr Justice Powers, acting on thoi assumption that basic wages for shearers are £3 12 per week, fixed the rate at 35s per 100 in lieu of 30s previously mentioned. Other rates were raised one-sixth on the award already announced. After expressing disapproval of the Marine Council which practically controls the new Navigation Act, Mr Tom Walsh resigned and also induced the executieve of the Seamen's Union to endorse his action. Barley, English 3s lOd. 4s; Cape 2s lOd, 2s WIA. Oats 3s 4d. Potatoes. £3 10s, £4 ss. Onions £5 10s, £5 15s. y The Federal Government is inviting tenders, to close on August 31, for the New Guinea properties and businesses previously owned by German residents. Brisbane, May 19. Dactors are mystified over the brain disease, cabled on Thursday. Some fear it may be due to eating bananas. The Southern Fruitgrowers' Association is concerned in connection with the latter theory, as the rumour caused a slump in the banana trade. Adelaide, May 19. At tho annual conference' of the Australian Fruitgrowers' '■■ Association an intimation was received that the New Zealand Association had withdrawn its affiliation therewith.