AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18756, 9 July 1924, Page 11

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

MINING AND METALLURGY. POOR UNIVERSITY RESULTS. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Heed. 7.35 p.m.) SYDNEY. July S. Tho past decade has been notable for the decrease in the number of university students who have graduated in mining and metallurgy. Since 1920 only one student every year has taken tho degree in this !■ school. At one time it waa not

uncommon for from 1(J to 20 to graduate yearly. The Melbourne University has also experienced a decline. A proposal has been made to enlarge the scope of the present curriculum at the Sydney University to embrace the study g{ chemical engineering.

SHIPPING COMPANIES FIGHT. SYDNEY. July 8. The freight war among inter-Stato steamship companies continues. It is estimated that as a result of the reductions in freight rates, which.have been made since October, shippers between the various porta affected have saved about £200,000. Another reduction of £50,000 has been secured by competitive tendering. A striking instance of the redaction 13 in wool, which formerly was carried at lis od for an ordinary bale and 10s dumped. Freight is now quoted at 7s generally, and in some cases at 6s 6d. PRICE OF INStrLIH REDUCED. SYDNEY, July 8. The Director-General of Health announces that the price of insulin has been reduced from 8s 4d per 100 units to 5s 3d. Further reductions to hospitals will make the price to those institutions about a halfpenny per unit. |. POUTIOS XJT VICTORIA, ! ' . MELBOURNE. July 8. After a prolonged discussion the central executive of the Farmers' Union issued "a, statement to the effect that they are willing to enter a composite Ministry with the Nationalists on condition that the Country Party shall receive six portfolios, including the Premiership. Unless these terms be accepted:. negotiations with the Nationalist Party will be discontinued.

2TRE DESTROYS GBAIH STORE. I ■ MELBOURNE, July 8. Damage estimated at thousands of pounds was caused late last night by a fire, which destroyed a bulk grain store in South Melbourne belonging to Mr. Railton. A flood of grain poured from the burst walls and flowed about the locality J '.'■ - ■'■" " ■ ' '■■ "'-- : - ' ' '■..-. :-.:"-■