AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17234, 9 August 1919, Page 9

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

PAPER FROM AMERICA. COMPLAINT OF COMBINE'S WORK. | Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Becd. 7.30 p.m.) MELBOURNE, Aug. 8. A deputation from the Provincial Press Association to-day asked the Minister for Customs for relief from the operations of the paper-producing combine said to exist in the United States and Canada. The deputation suggested thai news-print paper should be admitted free, or if taxed, that the rate should not be above 5 per cent., and in any case that no preference should be granted to Canadian paper until a searching inquiry had been made into the methods of the American-Canadian combine in cornering shipping and extorting unjust profits. It was stated that the American paper combine had established itself.in Canada, and controlled the whole of the freight lines to Australia, exacting a profit on paper of fully 100 per cent, above the prewar figure. The Minister assured the deputation that the Government would do nothing to play into the hands of a combine. LOSS J|&LIOOE»S REPORT, RELEASE IN A FEW BAYS; SYDNEY, A<ag. 8. Speaking at a State luncheon yesterday, Lord Jellicoe stated that his report on Australian naval defences would be available five days hence. VALUES RISE ZH SIDNEY. < I SYDNEY, Aug. 8. There is a remarkable boom.in investment stocks, and a large volume of business is being done in war loan "bonds and wheat certificates. Values have advanced rapidly. POLITICS IN WEST AUSTRALIA, j PERTH, Aue. 8. In the House of Assembly Mr. Collier moved an amendment to the Address-in-Reply stating that the House had no confidence in the Government. REFORM OP CONSTITUTION. MELBOURNE, Aug. 8. In the House of Representatives, the Acting-Federal Premier, Mr. W. A. Watt, stated that one of the lessons learned during the war was that the recasting of the Constitution was necessary. GOAL DISPUTE SETTLED.

BBISBANE, Aug. 8. The difficulty between the colliery proprietors and the Government in regard to coal prices has been adjusted. RISE IH PRICE OF LEATHER. (Becd. 11.20 p.m.) SYDNEY, Aug. 8. The price of leather is rising rapidly, owing to American purchases of Australian hides. This will shortly result in an increase in the price of boots by at least IDs. SCARCITY Off PROVISIONS. (Beed. 11.20 p.m.) SYDNEY. Aug. 8. The scarcity of groceries continues. There is no sugar available.