AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18556, 17 May 1922, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

MANDATED TERRITORIES. SCOPE OF PRIVATE ENTERPPRISE. Pz«ss Assooiattaa—By Telegraph.—Obpyrighi MELBOURNE, May 16. Ordinances have been approved empowering the Governor-General to sell land in/, fee simple in mandated territories which were previously obtainable only on lease. Provision is also made for rights to_ search. for gold, silver, and other minerals, but not for shale, petroleum, or mineral oils, which are exclusively reserved for the Government. The timber ordinance provides for issuing licenses for an area of 5000 acres for 15 years. It reserves to the Crown absolutely the right to acquire the interests on lands owned by natives. PRICE OB’ BUTTER. A FURTHER RISE. MELBOURNE, May 16. Butter has increased further by 9s per cwt, which is equivalent to Id per lb. The wholesale price now ranges from 190 sto 1965. The Retailers) Committee recommended the trade to increase the price to 2s Id and 2s 2d. BUS AND TRAMS. NEWCASTLE, May 16. The City Council- is considering the advisability of establishing a municipal motor bus service in lieu of the proposed electric tramway, which is estimated to cost over £1,000,000. The bus service would coat £250,000. ' CLOSER SETTLEMENT. LAND POLICY IN N.S.W. SYDNEY,/ May 16. (Received May 16, -at 7.15 p.m.) Under the new Government’s land policy »and settlement development scheme the owners of private estates capable of providing increased settlement are asked voluntarily to submit proposals for subdivision and closer settlement. In the event of the Government failing to receive a satisfactory response compulsory action is contemplated. COMMUNISM. MR LEY’S ATTACK. SYDNEY, May 16. Mr Garden, replying to Mr Ley, covers much that was contained in his previous reply. He adds: “Mr Ley shifted his ground. He is unable to prove his charges against the Communist Sunday schools, and directs charges against the union leader, whom he accuses of inciting the strikers.”. Mr Ley, retaliating, finally quoted the' utterances of several leading unionists, wherein direct action was suggested if the arbitration decisions were unsatisfactory.