AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 13 October 1922, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

(By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (Australian & N.Z, Cable Association.)

SYDNEY, Oct. 12. The Southern collieries started work without a hitch. The Coal Tribunal has called a compulsory conference between owners and men for the. 20th, to deal with the deficiency question Summer has arrived with a rush. The thermometer at Sydney touched 95, the highest October reading since 1914. Tne country districts, are suffering. The annual meeting of the National Rifle Association commences at Liverpool to-morrow. The prizes total £5500. There are nearly 1400 competitors. Mr Pollock, Governor of American Samoa, who is visiting Sydney, says that everything ie going smoothly under his jurisdiction. Some adverse comment had been made in a newspaper, but he thought it emanated from agitators trying to stir up trouble. Criticism of New Zealand’s administration «;f the Samoan mandate, was also without good ground. He added that prohibition works in Samoa, The easiest way to get drink was to come to Sydney. A vigorous campaign is proceeding to raise the necessary finance to erect and furnish a solar radiator station near Sydney. It is hoped it will be in operation noxt- spring. Already seme instruments have arrived Important results connected with varying sun, heat at\d radiation are anticipated, also accurate weather forecasting ten days ahead. In view of the approaching plague season the Minister of Health has issued a warning urging on the public tiie necessity for the persistent destruction of rats and fleas and other precautionary regulations. The police are investigating the discovery of the decomposed body of a woman fully dressed, dug up in Moore Park. A rusted iron bar was found alongside the body, Sensational developments are expected. MELBOURNE, Oct. 12. The Anglican Synod decided that women may Hold office as vestrymen or church wardens.

In the House of Representatives the Income Tax Bill, covering reduction pro mised in the Budget Speech, passed all its stages. The House treated the proposal to reduce salaries largely as a farce. The debate was punctuated with much laughter and chaffing. Mr Hughes’s introductory speech was lukewarm. While contending that members were worthy' of a higher scale of pay in view of the increased cost of living in reperit years he. declared that the cost of living was now falling, with a consequent reduction in wages, and the Ministry could not as kthe country to accept the position without asking Parliament to set an example. . The leaders of the Opposition and Country Parties opposed the Bill. They regard the submission of the proposal in the closing days of Parliament, when members are about to face their constituents, as smart electioneering tactics. Some members declared they would prefer no payment to the inadequate payment proposed. •• Mr Hughes expressed disappointment at the reception. Prom the outset, however, it was too plain that the measure was foredoomed and the anticipated happened . i In the House of Representatives, the second reading of the Reduction of Salaries Bill was defeated by 36 votes to 25. The Full Hfgh Court is hearing argument on law points in the wool tops case. It is at present dealing with the question whether the Wiir Precautions Ad, gave powers of taxation,