AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17846, 29 July 1921, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

CENSURE ON EX-MINISTER. N.S.W. SOLDIERS' SETTLEMENT. A. and N.Z. SYDNEY. July "25. Mr. Justice Street ha« concluded his final report of the administration of tho Soldiers' Settlement Department. He finds he cannot accept Mr. W. Q. Ashford, ex-Minister for Lands, &s a candid and truthful witness. Mr. Astford, states the Judge, has hot succeeded in rebutting the suggestions of immoral conduct, and additional facts, lead fairly to the conclusion that h©- and Bryant, a subordinate officer, were associated in a course of immoral conduct. It was not improbable in these circumstances that Bryant acquired improper ascendancy over him and used him improperly.

THE NAVIGATION ACT. VALIDITY CHALLENGED. SYDNEY. July 28. The Chief Justice, in tho High Court., before reserving judgment in the appeal by the Newcastle Steamship Company and others who are challenging the validity of the Navigation Act, said the Court was unanimously of opinion that the Act could not apply to inter-State navigation PRICE OF BREAD EN PERTH BAKERS THREATEN TO CLOSE. PERTH, July 28. The Price Fixing Commission, having refused to raise the price of bread all round, the master bakers have given all employees a ■week's notice of their intention to close down, stating that they cannot feed the public at a loss. LOSSES BY COAL STRDXERS. IN NEW SOUTH WALES MINES. SYDNEY, July 28. Mr. J. K. Paxtori, president of the Chamber of Commerce, in an address on the industrial position, stated that had the miners at Newcastle and Maitland coalfields worked without stoppages, and endeavoured to get the maximum output the difference between the actual and possible earnings; in the past "15 months . would" have purchased one of the best I collieries in the district.