AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17293, 17 October 1919, Page 7

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

PEACE LOAN SUBSCRIBED. BANKS CONTRIBUTE BALANCE A. and N.Z. MELBOURNE, Oct. 16. Mr. W. A. Watt. Federal Treasurer, announced that subscriptions to the Peace Loan totalled £21,466.000. After the ban closed the banks were approached, and agreed to subscribe the balance, thus obviating the necessity for compulsion. - FEDERAL TAXATION. LAND TAX RETMPOSED. MELBOURNE, Oct. IS. In the House of Representatives t-be Land lax Bill was re-enacted. It prorides for the supertax of 20 per cent, to be reimposed (luring the present year. I A Bill abolishing the entertainment tax ; on 3d tickets and reducing the tax on 6d i tickets, was passed. PROFITEERING IN QUEENSLAND. LEGISLATION INTRODUCED. BRISBANE. Oct. 18 The Anti-Profiteering Bill, introduced ' into the Hou-r -f Awrnhk. provides for i the appointment of a commissioner and ! commissioners, empowered to deal : with profiteers and inquire into anything lin the nature .-•>,- r.irr in foodstuffs. iin the nature •>> A < i-rnei u, ju | Heavy penalties arc provided for breaches i Heavy penalties are i.ir\.a..i iof the Act. i ._ i PRICE OF EXPORTED MEAT. I IMPENDING RISE REPORTED I MELBOURNE. Oct. 16. | It is unofficially stated that .he price of meat exported under contract to the Imperial Government is to be raised to 8-1 a pound. WAGES AND COST OF LIVING. A FEDERAL INQUIRY. MELBOURNE- Oct. 16. The Federal Cabinet is appointing a commission to inquire into the cost of living with a view to fixing the basis of the living wage. syDNEY> oc t. 16. Mr. Justice Edmunds announced that the new living wage will be applied all round. A number of applications by union* have already been granted.