AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18054, 30 September 1920, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

SERIOUS PROBLEM OF UNREST.

MR STOREY'S WARNING.

Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. SYDNEY, September 29. Mr Storey (New South Wales Premier), referring to tlio criticisms of the Profiteering Bill, said his Government was up against a serious problem of unrest, as the extra cost of living was breeding discontent and a state of mind which paves the way to revolution. He added that the danger point had been reached, and action must be taken quickly.

WORLD'S PARITY FOR WHEAT.

N.S.W. GOVERNMENT'S QUANDARY,

SYDNEY, September 29. The New South Wales Government is in a quandary over the world's parity for wheat. If growers receive the full benefit of the overseas prices, the home market will suffer, and the price of bread will increase. Country and Labour members fear an increase in the price. Mr Bagnall, Nationalist, suggested that the Government should emulate the action of the British Government and make up tho difference between home prices and the world's parity, thus preventing an increase in the prioe of bread without injuring the farmers. The Government is considering the position. The Government Statistician estimates that the area under wheat in the present season shows an increase of 500,000 acres compared with last season. Tho total area •sown is 3,585,000 acres, which is nearly 2,000,000 acres behind the record season of 1915-16.

METAL INDUSTRY'S LOSS. MELBOURNE, September 29. The chairman of the Australian Metal Exchange, at the annual meeting, said that £14,000,000 had been lost in the metal industry during the past 18 months through strikes.

TOWNSVILLE waterside WORKERS. BRISBANE, September 29. The Shipping Controller has telegraphed to the Mayor of Townsvillo intimating the. cutting out of Townsvillo as a port unless the waterside workers guarantee t-o abide by the Federal award.

INTOXICATING LIQUORS " BLACK.'' mi _ PERTH, September 29. Ihe Astern Goldfields branch of the Labour Party passed a resolution that in ■view of the Brewing Trade" Union's indifference to the appeals of other unions to prevent the victimisation of workers, the council is considering the advisability of declaring all intoxicating liquors " black," thereby putting an end to suc\» industry; also, the council will forthwith begin 4in active propaganda campaign with that object.

GOULBURN RAILWAY TRAGEDY. SYDNEY, September 29. In connection with the railway tragedy at Goulburn, the driver of the engine •prior to starting on the last stretch of the fatal journey,_ reported that the drawbar knuckle-pin was lost. He made temporary repairs, using a fishplate and a spanner to replace the pin

FEDERAL POLITICS. t ®ELBOURNE, September 29. in the House of Representatives it was announced that the Public Accounts Committee had been instructed to thoroughlv investigate the purchase of timber prolrL Queensland by the Government. r A® Budget amusement tax proposals, limiting the tax to three shillings on tickets for theatrical and concert entertainments, was introduced and read a second time by 33 votes to 7. The Bill increasing the postal and telegraphic rates passed the committee stage.

NO TRACE OF MISSING STEAMER, m ■ j SYDNEY, September 29. (Received Sept, 29, at 8.45 p.m.) A wireless message from the steamer Melbourne reports that there is no trace or the Amelia J.

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS. m . SYDNEY, September 29. (Received Sept. 29, at 8.45 p.m.) Judge Beeby has opened the 44-hour week inquiry. The Government will appoint a judge to inquire whether it is justified m iners mg Parliamentarians' salaries to £750 yearly. JLVJVZiS ST" 8 " ?« S? SSL* WI *» _ . PERTH, September 29. (Received Sept. 29, at 8.45 p.m.) . V? e Legislative Council Bill for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has been introduced. It makes it illegal to work a horse more than 48 hours a week. Doping racehorses is also prohibited "