AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16026, 18 September 1915, Page 6

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN GRAIN. INCREASED AREA SOWN. By Telernph—Prees AMoc:"*tion—Copyright 'Received September 17. 11 p.m.) Adelaide, September 17.; The official estimate of the area in South Australia under wheat is 3,192,380 acres, an increase over last year 0f.353,361 acres; oats, 013,910 acres, an increase 46,419 compared with the previous year. AUSTRALIAN WHEAT CROP. -> OFFERED TO GREAT BRITAIN. (Received September 17. 11 p.m.) Melbourne, September 17. Mr. W. M. Hughes, Federal AttorwjGeneral, confirms the statement that the Australian wheat crop was offered to the British Government, but that it declined to purchase it. DESTRUCTIVE KB*. ■ DAMAGE TOTALS £50.000. Brisbane, September 17.;.* The main business portion of St. George, a town 270 miles from Brisbane, has been destroyed by fire. Fifteen buildings were demolished. The damage is estimated 'aft £50,000. AIDIITCr ERXEVOL7 SOCIETIES. »§< GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY. * 1 . Received September 17. 11 p_,mj Melbourne, September 17. - - In order to meet the provisions of tie Friendly Societies Amendment Act. providing for reinsuring members of societies who have gone from the State, the Government has undertaken to provide » subsidy not exceeding £30,000, which is estimated to be about one-fourth of the total amount required, while the societies pay about £60.000. An official report estimates that 7000 members of Victorian" . societies have already enlisted, and that the number is likely to reach 10,000. f TASKAXIAH ASSEMBLY. C:£ f, -■-» INCREASE IN NUMBER. * Hobaet, September 17.«— Th Electoral Bill Committee has T® 4 ported in favour of the number of embers of the Assembly being increased frorr 30 to 31, in order to make an o<ji number. TELEPHONE BATES. WAR-TIME INCREASES. Melbourne. September 17. The Federal Executive baa authorised the increases in the telephone rates recently suggested as a means of raising additions! revenue. The increases will come into fore#• on December 10.

STREET BETTING. WEST AUSTRALIAN" BILL. Perth. September 17A Select Committee of the House on horse racing has filed in interim report recommending the passage of immediate legislation to stop street and shop betting and giving the police power to arrest offenders. PURCHASES OP WHEAT. Stdxtt. September 17.. The Government will cease to purc&u* wheat from farmers on the 50th in.-t. CONTROL OF TRADE ACT. sbant. September 17. A proclamation has been issued brmpnj fodder under the Control of Trade Act. ,