AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18051, 27 September 1920, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

NEWCASTLE COAL. BIG DEAL WITH NEW ZEALAND. Prose Association—By Telegraph—Copyxieht NEWCASTLE, September 25. It is understood that tho commonwealth Government has completed negotiations with the New Zealand Government for the sale of 100,000 tons of coal which has been stacked since the 1917 strike. TRANSACTION DENIED BY MR HUGHES. . SYDNEY, September 26. (Received Sept. 26, at 5.5 p.m ) Mr Hughes denies that the commonwealth has sold 100,000 tons of coal to New Zealand. Asked if any such transaction ls contemplated, he said, "I don't know." TRADE UNION CONGRESS SYDNEY,' September 25. Mr darden, secretary of the Labour Council, has bean chosen as delegate to the International Federation of Trade Unions Congress in London on November at which the economic condition of Europe will be discussed. TOTALISATOR PERMITS. SYDNEY, September 25. , -The report of the Auditor-General dealing with the totalisaior says that though the investments show a considerable increase, they axe not so large as they might have been if the public had more confidence in the working o f the machine lhe lack of confidence is due to the inefficient staffs and the -want of accommodation and facilities for the publio to invest. CHURCH UNION. tu r> *. S"™ NE Y> September 25. Ihe Presbyterian General Assembly is considering a report on church union which shows that to date 60 per cent Presbyterians and 84 per cent. tionahste favour union.' The Methodist vote shows 29,482 in favour, and 2742 against for members, and 4492 in favour 491 against for trustees. . SYDNEY, September 26. (Received Sept. 26, at 5.5 p.m.) The Presbyterian General Assembly, by to 74, negatived the amendment disapproving of the proposed scheme for an organic union with the Methodist Congregational Churches. Further discussion on the question was adjourned till Monday. LORD FORSTER'S POLICY t a September 25. L.ord Forster, Governor-General-elect, has arrived at Fremantle.' He stated that he would work his utmost to promote interstate and inter-dominion ties. His keynote would be "partnership." ANTI-PROFITEERING BILL ™ Oi . SYDNEY, September 25. Mr btorey, Premier, commenting on the Anti-profiteering Bill, said the measure was based largely on the legislation already m existenco in England, and to a lesser extent in New Zealand and America. Clause 65, empowering the president of the commission to publish any information derived in the course of inquiries, was adopted from the New Zealand Board of Trade Act

THE FEDERAL CAPITAL MELBOURNE, September 25. In the House of Representatives the Victorian Nationalists endeavoured to strike the Federal capital item of £150 000 from the Estimates. A non-party division resulted in a vote of 27 to 14 in favour of the item.

WRECK OF SOUTHERN CROSS.

BENZINE EXPLOSION SUGGESTED

HOBART, September 25. Further wreckage found establishes the tact that the Southern Cross has been wrecked, possibly as the result of an explosion. The vessel was carrying a quan- & rfk 6l,2 and it is surmised that while distress signals weTe being fired the benzine ignited. Further search is beine made. °

AN AEROPLANE MISSING MELBOURNE, September' 26 (Received Sept. 27, at 0.45 a.m ) The aeroplane with Captain Stutt and sergeant Daizell aboard, which was searching for the missing schooner Amelia J is also missing, and fears aTe entertained 'for the safety of the airmen.

REMARKABLE RAILWAY TRAGEDY _ SYDNEY, September 26. ' (Received Sept. 27, at 0.45 a.m.) A remarkable railway tragedy occurred on a. goods train travelling from Goulbura Fhe engine suddenly parted from the tender, and the driver (a man named Herman) and the fireman (named Taylor) were thrown violently to the ground both being killed ' The engine, without the crew, travelled to the next station, where it was palled up. The trucks forming the tram luckily stopped a few yards from the scene of the accident.