AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17257, 5 September 1919, Page 7

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

THE PRICE OF SUGAR. FRUITGROWERS' CAMPAIGN. A. and N.Z. HOBART, Sept. 4. A conference of fruitgrowers has launohed a campaign to secure cheaper sugar, and has decided to hold an inter-state conference on October 9. It was stated that as sugar costs £20 10& per ton in New Zealand the Australian growers and jam manufacturers were greatly handicapped.

EXPORT OF LEATHER. CALL FOR A DUTY. MELBOURNE. Sept. 4. Leather manufacturers have decided to ask the Government to impose an export duty of 25 per cent, on rough tanned leather, sheepskins, and pelts. DOCTORS AND THE STATE. NATIONALISATION URGED. MELBOURNE. Sept. 4. A conference of friendly societies resolved to urge the Government to establish a national medical service, and to appoint a medical taxing officer empow- | ered to assess, modify, or tax accounts : rendered by medical practitioners.

INDUSTRIAL LEGISLATION.

NATIONAL PARTY PROGRAMME. MELBOURNE, Sept. 4. A conference of the National Party at Bendigo agreed to the adoption of Whitley councils, national insurance against unemployment, and to the encouragement of share purchase, co-operative end profitstaring systems. PRESERVATION OF TIMBER. BUTTER-BOX SUPPLIES. SYDNEY. Sept. 4. A deputation from the dairying industry urged upon Mr. Ashford, Minister for Forests, the need of action in regard to the preservation of the pine forests, as Japanese timber was found unsuitable for butter boxes, in order that when NewZealand supplies were cut off there might be stocks to draw on. Mr. Ashford pro- | mised that the Government would underi take an investigation of the problem.

WHEAT POOL OPERATIONS. STATE INVESTIGATION. SYDNEY. Sept. 4. The Government has decided to undertake a thorough investigation of every prase of the State wheat pool's operations. A FLOATING MINE OFF QUEENSLAND COAST. BRISBANE. Sept. 4. A floating mine has been located north, of Cooktown.

SHIPS OFFICERS' WAGES.

CLAIMS FOR AN INCREASE. SYDNEY, Sept. 4. The Merchant Service Guild of Australia has issued claims for increased wages for masters, officers, and engineers. FIRE AT FREEZING WORKS. DAMAGE £15.000. SYDNEY. Sept. 4. Fire destroyed the Curtiss freezing works at Barraba, the damage being estimated at £15,000.