AUSTRALIAN HEWS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18762, 16 January 1923, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN HEWS

DROUGHT IN NEW SOUTH WALES. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright SYDNEY, Januari’ 15. (Received Jan. 15, at' 9.55 p.m.) The variable nature of Sydney’s climate was well illustrated to-day. At 2 o’clock the thermometer stood at 101; at 4 it had fallen to 69. The result was a southerly blow which enveloped the city with dust and smoke from bush fires. The continued hot weather and parching winds are playing havoc with gardens and fruit crops, and rain is greatly needed. Parts of the country are suffering severely from drought and bush fires. IMMIGRATION RETURN. SYDNEY, January 15. (Received Jan. 15, at 9.35 p.m.) During last year 51,985 Europeans arrived in Sydney, of whom 47,839 were British. These figures, in view of the re cent outcry against Italian and Maltese immigrants, are regarded as proof that there is no danger of Australia becoming anti-British through immigration. SENATE ELECTIONS. SYDNEY, January 15. (Received Jaiv 15, at 9.35 p.m.) After the declaration of the Senate poll, Senator Grant made it plain that the Labourites did not intend to help to keep Mr Hughes in power. He declared that Labour’s first duty was to oust the discredited National Government. BRISBANE. January 15. Mr Crawford (Nationalist) won the first State seat In the Senate. NEW SOUTH WALES WHEAT. A DISAPPOINTING YIELD. SYDNEY, January' 15. (Received Jan. 16, at 1.15 a.m.) An official preliminary estimate of the New Smith Wales wheat yield is 29,090,000 bushels, an average of four (?) bushels per acre, compared with 13.4 for last season. The poor average is chiefly duo to the long continued drought. In most cf the wheat areas 13 per cent, of the sowing totally failed.