AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18159, 2 February 1921, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

COAL AND SHALE OUTPUT.

SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE FOR 1920

Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright. SYDNEY, February 1. The coal production in 1920 totalled 10.714.000 tons, against 8,631,000 in 1919. The total value at the pit mouth was £7,723,000, an increase of £2,300,000. The coke output during 1920 totalled 567.000 tons, an increase of 142,000 tons. The shale output decreased from 25,453 tons tej 21,004 tons.

SIR ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE.

OBJECTS TO TAX-GATHERERS.

SYDNEY, February 1. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle will sail to-day by the Naldera. In paying a tribute to the courtesy and kindness of the people he spoke with less enthusiasm of his experience at the hands of the taxation authorities. “ I was only 15 days in New Zealand,” he said, “ but they took £lsl in taxes. Ido nqt quite understand it, but it appears to be a f tox on my earnings m the dominion. I believe that I shall have to pay the Australian tax-gatherers several hundreds. Australia has never had a visitor who contributed so much to the revenue for so short a stay, and who has taken so little from the country.”

QUEENSLAND £2,000,000 LOAN

SUBSCRIPTIONS FAR SHORT OF THE MARK.

BRISBANE, February 1. (Received Feb. at 10)30 p.m.) Although complete returns of the State loan of £2,000,000 are not available, it is known that the subscriptions are very far short of the mark. If the Treasurer s recommendation is adopted by Cabinet, Parliament will meet in March to legislate in the direction of making subscriptions compulsory.