AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIII, Issue 401, 19 May 1922, Page 6

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Received May 18, noon. May 18. The quarter sessions of the Appeal Court, in refusing an appeal against the decision of the Fair Rents Court, ruled that the latter’s decisions were final. Sir James Burns, who presided at the annual meeting of the Burns, Philip Company, said there had been a diminution of £2.000,000 in the turnover last year. The reduction was mainly attributable to the reduced values of the exports ■ and imports and the lessening prices. The net profit equalled 2 per cent, on the total cash receipts for the year. The future was regarded as uncertain in view of the fear ■ of strikes and unsettled European affairs. j Cabinet has decided that the regulations j gazetting the new wage arc insufficient, and lias accordingly decided to approach the I Arbitration Court for an award of £3 18s j from the Ist July. It is understood that ] a move will bc-made to secure a reduction in the cost of commodities and .public utilities, particularly where the cost had been previously increased on account of the in- • creased wage. j Following a consicrablc controversy during the past two years respecting the cost of Ministerial motor cars, the committee appointed by Cabinet has recommended that i six cars bo dispensed with, but the six MinI inters affected will be provided with a spei da) vote, whereby taxis may be hired when necessary. The committee made .the recommendation that the scheme be given six months’ trial Mr Brnnludl is advocating a special educational loan of £1,000,000 lor school renovations and repairs to many buildings, which are said to be in a deplorable condition.

The indications point to a steady drop in prices. Figures prepared by the Board of Trade statistician show that a typical group of men’s clothing and boots that cost £l7 9s in January, 1921, now costs £l3 14s, and a women’s similar group had fallen from £27 Is to £lB 10s. A food and groceries group had fallen from £2 Is 7d to £1 9s 6d. Rents have slightly increased.—Press Assn.