AUSTRALIAN ITEMS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17179, 27 May 1916, Page 10

AUSTRALIAN ITEMS.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. TRADERS' DEFENCE ASSOCIATION. SYDNEY, May 26. A Traders' Defence Association is being formed to oppose State industrial enterprises and monopolies. LIQUOR REFERENDUM. FREMANTLE, May 26. The goldfields liquor referendum returns are still incomplete* The present totals are:— ». Eleven o'clock . . 6596 Six o'clock .v . . 3828 MR REED'S DISMISSAL. SYDNEY, May 26. , The Hon J. H. Cann states that the Government decided to disnonse with Mr Reed's services because when the question of prico arose in the petrol negotiations he left it to another to deal with, although ho was a Government officer appointed to deal with the matter. PREMIERS' CONFERENCE. (Received May 26, 9.25 p.m.) ADELAIDE, May 26. At the Premiers' Conference an agreement has been reached by which the repayment of the first instalment of the Commonwealth loans by the States is postponed for a year.