AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18088, 12 May 1922, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

COST OF GOVERNMENT.

TAXPAYERS' HEAVIER LOAD. Australian and N-Z. Cable Association. Uccd. 7.5 p.m.) SYDNEY, May 11.

There is a persistent outcry for a reduction in the cost of government, both State and Federal, as part of the scheme for easing, the load of the taxpayer. In this comiefrtion a table has been prepared showing that the cost of administration of Federal departments has grown from £11,000,000 in 1917-18 to £16,500,000 in the present year. The cost of State departments has grown proportionately. RELIEF AT BROKEN HILL. POLICE TO RESUME CHARGE. SYDNEY, May 11. 'The Minister for Health, Mr. C. W. Oakes, has announced that the Government has decided to terminate the special relief committee which has been officiating at Broken Hill for some time past, and to place the relief work, as formerly, entirely in the hand s of the local police. This action is the outcome of the extraordinary growth of relief expenditure in the last few years.

Mr. Oakes states that under the late Administration relief had been distributed to men actually in employment at- Broken Hill and others who were not even resident in the State.

PRICE OF EUITER RAISED, SYDNEY. May 11. The wholesale price of butter has advanced one penny per lb.

COST OF THE SHORTER WEEK. SYDNEY. May 11. The Shire Conference discussed the effect of the 44-hour week, and was unanimously of opinion that it had had a disastrous effect upon shire finance. In some instances it had resulted in the dismissal of men owing to compulsory retrenchment. The loss to the shires is estimated aft £50,000, irrespective of greater losses by municipalities.

PROTECTION AGAINST DUMPING. (Reed. 1.30 a.m.) MELBOURNE. May 11. The Federal Minister for Customs, Air. A. S. Rodgers, says that steps are being taken under the Australian Industries Preservation Act to protect' lcrcal industries against dumping when trade is resumed with Germany on August 1.

WORK POR COMMONWEALTH SHIPS. SYDNEY. May 11. Owing to extensive wheat charters entered into by the Commonwealth, practically the whole of the Commcmwealth fleet will be actively engaged in the trade at an early date. In March 25 per cent, of the fleet of 42 vessels were idle, with little prospect of business. In addition to wheat charters vessels of the " D " class are engaged in the coal trade to Java and New Zealand.

CONFERENCE ON PILLAGING.

SYDNEY. M»,y 11. Mr. C. W. Oakes, Chief Secretary, proposes at an early date to convene a conforenco of all parties concerned with tho object of minimising the pillaging evil.

TEADES UNIONS IN POLITICS.

SYDNEY, May U. A special conference of trade unions has been oonvencd for June 10 to formulate a scheme for the reorganisation of the political wing of the movement from the standpoint of the trades unions.

FROST ON THE HIGHLANDS. SYDNEY. May 11. Cold weather is being experienced on the highlands. In many places the' temperature has fallen below freezing point. The lowest readings are 20 degrees at. Nimitybelle and Bundarra.