AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 15097, 13 September 1912, Page 7

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

By Telegraph.— Association,—

AUSTRALIAN MEAT INDUSTRY. (Deceived September 13, 1.15 a.m.) ■ Sydney, September 12. In giving evidence to-day before ' the Food Commission, Mr. 0. G. Malkow stated that Swift's Meat Company, of America, was . going to invest £350,000 in the meat industry in Queensland.

RESTORING THE COUNTER LUNGS (Received September 12, 9.55 p.m.) Sydney, September ,12. The counter lunch will bo restored tomorrow at one of the largest George-street hotels. The licensee estimates his loss through the abolition of the counter lunch, at £30 a week. IMPORTATION OF POTATOES. (Received September 12, 9.55 p.m.) Sydney, September 12. In connection with the concessions mada to enable potatoes to be imported it is notified that theso do not imply tho relaxation of tho precautions against the importation of diseased potatoes and tha inspection of shipments. |■ . " THE SYDNEY BAG SNATOHERS. (Received September 12. 9.55 p.m.) Sydney, September' 12. The police have captured three men who are supposed to •be members of the bagsnatching gang which lias been operating in Sydney recently;--:; ■ - ....■> ... AN INCREASE OF HOTELS. Perth, September .12. The Legislative Assembly has read 3' second time a Bill to increase the number of hotels" in the State.BEREAVED HUSBAND'S SUICIDE, Perth, September 12. S. K. Whittaker, formerly chief of staff on the Melbourne Standard, committed suicide yesterday by shooting him-< self. He had suffered from melancholia since his wife committed suicide in December last. . ----- DEATH OF A LEGISLATOR. !■ Sydney, September 12. '■ The death is announced 1 of- . C'aptaiftTV hitton, a member of the.. Papuan (British New Guinea) Legislature. SATISFACTORY OAT CROP. Sydney, September 12. The area under oats in New South' Wales is 232,790 acres, a slight increase over last year's area. ' The indications point to a satisfactory harvest. LEAGUE ■ FOOTBALL GAME. ' I Sydney, September 12. The New South Wales Rugby Football League has decided to invite an English, team to visit Australia next season.. / ; SAVINGS BANK BILL REJECTED, - Sydney, September 12. The Legislative Council has negatived the motion for the second, reading of the Savings Banks Amalgamation Bill, by 22 to 16. .. " : A - CABLE WAR EXPECTED. ' Melbourne, September 12. It is anticipated that there will. be a war in the cable rates when the Federal system of wireless stations is connected with the Imperial system, via Port Darwin. Direct communication with Lonj don and other parts of the Empire -will then be established, and the service brought into competition with the lines | of private companies. . / THE SUGAR , COMMISSION. Sydney, September '12.. J The Colonial Sugar - Company has issued, a. writ against the. members of the Sugar Commission to - restrain them from compelling the general . manager of the - company to appear before the Commission and answer certain questions, referring to the business of the company. The effecfe of the. writ will be to raise the question of whether the recently amended Royal Commissions Act is constitutional. ;

GAS PRICES AND DIVIDENDS. Sydney, September 12.

Consideration of . the Gas Companies' "Sill was resumed; iii Committee of ; the Legislative Assembly yesterday. -Mr. Carmichael gave notice, of a series of amendments, including an increase in the standard rate of dividends of from 4, to 10 per cent. As a set-off; the reduction, of the standard price of. gas from 3s 9d to 3s per 1000 ft is proposed. ' The notice of the amendments have resulted in strengthening the market for gas shares. Buyers have been anxious i'or some days to purchase shares at £13 ss, without success. . A parcel fetched £14 to-day, ; ... MR. WILLIS AND HIS CRITICS. Sydney, September 12. In the Legislative Assembly to-day, owing to Mr. Levien's absence, his motion that the ' Speaker be censured* in connection with the recent events in the Assembly was postponed for a week. Mr. Willis considered it a serious matter, and urged the necessity for the House being given an early opportunity to consider the motion. LEGISLATORS' SALARIES. Sydney, September 12. The Bill providing for the increase of the honoraria of members of Parliament to £500. had a narrow escape in the Legislative Council, being read a second time 011 the casting vote of the President. It passed its third reading by ' 23 votes to 22. The Legislative Assembly has alt ready passed the Bill. A DESTRUCTIVE GALE. MeIisoTJKNE, September 12. The weather is very boisterous off the coast. A destructive gale at Geelong blew down a number of chimneys and tha steeple of the Roman Catholic Church, A factory was unroofed and a gig capsized. A girl who was in the vehicle was blown over a fence. SYDNEY GOVERNMENT HOUSE.' (Received September 13, 1.15 a.m.) . Sydney, . September 12. . A motion moved in the Legislative Council that the Government House in Sydney be retained as a residence fo» the, Governor-General, was withdrawn. It was stated that negotiations are still pending. ' "