AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 March 1927, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

!Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.] PRODUCTION VALUES. MELBOURNE, March 23. Estimates prepared by the Government Statistician, show that though the population of Victoria is growing, the value of production is decreasing The total value of products for the year is '£143.132,C0D sterling of which £4 1 .143.000 is the estimated value of primary products. This is a reduction of eight millions on the previous year.

VfCTOR rA N NOMINATIONS. MELBOURNE, March 23. Nominations for the Assembly general elections show there are 166 candidates for fifty-eight seats, comprising Nationalist. Country, Labour, Country Progressives, and Australian Liberal Parties. Seven members were “lecteil unopposed. I: HP A RATIO N 1> EN SION'S. MELBOURNE. March 23. The Reparations Commission's report tabled in the Senate shows since 1022 the number of in patients decreased from 2131 to 1360. Out patients at the same time increased from 4293 to 3801. Last year pensions totalled £7.343,666 sterling compared w ith £7,030.982 the previous year. The report shows the annual commitment, for pensions is likely to increase fulsome years. To the_ close of last year over fifty-eight .million has been paid in pensions to ex-soldiers and dependents.

ROSS SEA WHALERS. HOBART, March 23_. The Norwegian Whaling Fleet, has arrived here from a four mouths' cruise in the Boss Sea. The vessels captured 130 whales, which yielded 30.000 barrels of oil. WOOL SALKS. SYDNEY, .March 21. At the wool sales there was a keen demand and large clearances. Brices were firm at best rates of the week. Greasy merino touched 37.1(1. N.S.W. POLITICS. SYDNEY, March 21. In the Legislative Council. Mr AAillis stated after consultation with his colleagues it had been decided to permit a continuation of the debate on the Family Endowment Bill. A further amendment was carried against the Government. excluding cliii'dren of Federal employees from the slope of tin- Act.

SPEEDWAY RACING. SYDNEY. March 21. In the Assembly the Chief Secretary promised to ((insider the abolition ot speedway racing, owing to the frequency of fatalities on the tracks. coal trouble. SYDNEY, March 24. Maitland coal fields trouble has assumed a new phase. The Deputies Association has lelegrnphed to the Minister of Mines to take action to enable the men to return to work. The Northern colliers are generally getting very restive over the jiosition.

I' N EMPLOY ED SUGG HST lONS. SYDNEY. March 24. A meeting of Sydney unemployed resolved to follow the York's procession on Saturday as a protest, against money being spent on celebrations and decorations. Similarly a meeting of unemployed at Melbourne decided that a thousand of .‘‘out: of -works” should follow the Duke wherever he goes while in Melbourne. The .police, how evert, hnio something to say regarding these decisions. N.S.AY. POLITICS. SYDNEY. March 24. Scott Fell, Nationalist member of the Assemble announced he intended to resign his seat in order to contest in the Nationaalist interest the 1- ederal seat rendered vacant hv Sir TL Lyric's appointment. Esa Marks succeeds Fell in the Assembly. In o other Nationalist, candidates have announced themselves tor the 1-edeial vacancy. The Legislative Council alter further amendments, concluded the committee stage of the Endowment Bili and tlie third reading will he taken to-day. The Council is making another late sitting, drastically amending the Family Endowment Bill.

ROTARY CLUBS. ADELAIDE. March 21. The Australian Rotary Conference considerd the matter ol extending the movement. A delegate pointed out that Australia with a population of over six million had liltoen Rotary Clubs and New Zealand had sixteen. There were still sixteen towns in Australia of over a thousand inlmhitaiAs where Rotary and its principles were not repressntod. ELECTRIC STRIKE. ELBOURNE, .March 2-1. There are no signs ol settlement ol the Yalloura strike. The Electricity Commission offered to rehear the ease which led to the trouble, in the meantime the men resume. This offer, against Trades Hall advice was declined. 'Power and lighting supplies were somewhat augmented to-day hut unemployment is widening. Supplies to hospitals and some other public institutions are assured. 3he railways and ti’-imways are unaffected as they supply their own power independent of Yailovrn.