ACROSS THE TASMAN.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 2694, 12 July 1923, Page 5

ACROSS THE TASMAN.

BLAZE AT BROKEN HDLL. SEVERE UNEMPLOYMENT MAY RESULT. CONFERENCE IN CAMERA. [By Electric Cable—Copyright], [Aust, and N.Z. Cable Association.] (Received Wednesday, 10.50 p.m.) SYDNEY, July 11. The Broken Hill mine fire is still burning. The iiremen are fighting the flames in relays, owing to the gas. No estimate of the damage is availab.e, but if the outbreak is not soon controlled, there will be severe unemployment. The Coal Conference resumed in camera. No details are available MEN DRIVEN OUT BY SMOKE. SYDNEY, July 11. Fire broke out in the Central Mine at Broken Hill. It is now confined to the 400 ft. level, buf ther e is every likelihood of its spreading, as the firefighters have been compelled to -come to the surface by the dense smoke. All available firemen and mine employees have been attacking the flames from the 500 ft. level. QUEENSLAND LEGISLATION. NO EXTRAORDINARY MEASURES FORECASTED. (Received Wednesday, 10.50 p.m.) BRISBANE, July 11. Parliament opened to-day. The Governor's speech contained no I extraordinary forecasts of legislation, I the principal new Bi.ls being measures amending the Liquor Act, several i Land Settlement Bills and one provid- | ing for the encouragement of oil prospecting and to protect the public from the operations of "wild cat" companies. LOSS OF SUMATRA. "ALMOST A NATIONAL DISASTER" MELBOURNE, July 11. Mr S. M. Bruce announced in the House of Representatives that the Federal Ministry had asked the New South Wales Government to hold an inquiry into the sinking of the Sumatra, and was awaiting the result. They regarded the loss almost as a national disaster. COMMONWEALTH SHIPPING. MR HUGHES CRITICISES BILL. MELBOURNE, July 11. The debate was continued in the House of Representatives on the Shipping Bill. Mr Hughes gave it general support, but he criticised the Government for the extraordinary reduction in values contemplated.