AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Grey River Argus, 27 April 1937, Page 7

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

HARBOUR DUES DODGED

(Aus. & N.Z Cable Assn.) MELBOURNE, April 13. How American ships were escaping with port dues in British ports lower than ships of other nations of the same size has been shown by the statement of the Melbourne Harbour Trust that the Matson liners Mariposa and Monterey arc the biggest ships trading to Australia. The Trust figures for these two liners is 23.938 tons each. Formerly the figure was given as 18,017 tons. The higher tonnage has resulted in greater harbour dues. The liners have been charged at the higher rate in Sydney for nearly 18 months. The U.S. system of measuring a ship's tonnage did not cover superstructure above the hull, as does the British Board of Trade system. FAST PATROL BOAT. MELBOURNE, April 13. Discussing to-night the incident concerning the patrol boat Larakia and the sampan, the -Minister for Customs. Mr White, said that, the Government’s patrol boat policy was not the haphazard thought of various Federal Government departments, but a definite defence recommendation. He said that while the new Customs patrol boat! would be able to cope with the extra patrolling which was considered necessary in northern waters, the co-opera-tion of naval vessels would lie necessary. Mr White said he preferred not. to reveal the capabilities of the new patrol boat. It would be unwise to inform persons with whom it would deal of-the boat ’s particulars. Il e expected that .the vessel, which was being built at Cockatoo Islasd, Sydney, would Ire in commission by the etui of the year. The .Minister for the Interior, Mr Paterson, said to-night that the Government patrol officers in northern waters had difficulties in protecting n:itiv e women fioni the crews of pearling luggers. Their task was added to by the willing.less of the natives to trade their womenfolk for (lour and tobacco. Defending the Federal Government, the Minister said that the remarks of the Rev. .). W. Burton at the Australian missionary conference in Sydney were irresponsble and unwarranted. LAUNCH TRAGEDY. SYDNEY, April 25. Ralph Drown. 28, Walter Cnrreli, 23, and Albert Knight, 18, are believed to have been dtowned at Botany Bay, the result of a launch accident. The three left yesterday for a run round the bay in a recontly.acquircd launch which, to-day, was found smashed to pieces .on the rocks off Kurnell. A dog. with the party, was found alive near the wreckage, watching out to sea for the return of >ts ownet, Brown. BRISBANE COUNCIL. BRISBANE. April 25. The election for the (Treater Bria, bane Council on Saturday, which created State-wide interest, for a nos’ible pointer to the forthcoming State elections, resulted in Labour going back with an overwhelming majority, possibly equal to its former representation, 13 to 7. Official Labour so far has twelve seats and the Citi, zens’ Municipal Party seven. • CRUISERS’ ARMOUR. MELBOURNE, April 26. Advice was received from the. Coininonwealth Minister o f Defence (Sir A. Parkhill), who- is now in London, that ‘he Austfralinn cruisers Canberra and Australia, are t 0 be re.nrtnourplatcd at a. cost of half a million.