AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18871, 25 May 1923, Page 7

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

PREMIERS’ CONFERENCE. TAXATION IMPASSE. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright MELBOURNE, May 24. ' The Premiers’ Conference adjourned till this afternoon to enable the State Treasurers to discuss means of overcoming the taxation impasse. The conference reaffirmed its previous decision tp terminate ( the issue of tax-free loans after December. MELBOURNE MURDER TRIAL. May 24. The summing up in the Kelly murder trial has been postponed till Friday. COMMONWEALTH STEAMERS. MELBOURNE, May 24. The Commonwealth Government has decided' to retain the Bay liners, and to sell the cargo steamers and ex-enemy boats. Cabinet also decided to amalgamate the activities of Garden and Cockatoo Islands. The latter will become the only Government shipbuilding yard for the Commonwealth, ahd Garden Island will be retained as a store. - NOXIOUS WEEDS PROBLEM. SYDNEY, May 24. A representative conference of rural bodies discussed the question of the eradication of noxious weeds. It* was decided that as weeds were noxious in one district and were utilised for feeding purposes in another, it would bo impossible to have uniformity; but it was agreed that the worst weeds should be declared noxious weeds throughout the State.. PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY. ' SYDNEY, May 24. The Presbyterian Assembly reaffirmed its adherence to Prohibition without compensation. An amendment to delete the last two words was defeated. CHURCH UNION. SYDNEY, May 24. (Received May 24, at (.45 p.m.) In view of the majority of the Presbyterian State Assemblies hairing failed to support the proposed scheme of Church Union, the General Assembly resolved that the further proposed vote of the congregations on the subject be not taken, as it would be legislatively futile. In the meantime the Presbyterian. Church will undertake to co-operate with the other negotiating churches. A special meeting of " the General Assembly will be hold at an early date to deal further with the subject. INCREASE IN FOOD PRICES. SYDNEY, May 24. Compared with April, 1922, prices for food and groceries in the various States show an increase, the highest being (.9 per cent, in New South Wales. ■Compared with July, 1914, the present prices in 30 cities and towns show an average increase of 52 per cent. BUSHRANGER HUNT. THE ELUSIVE GOVERNOR. * v SYDNEY, May 24. Strong parties of police are scouring the Mundooran and adjoining districts, which continue in a state of excitement over the bushranging episodes. It is assumed that their efforts have been negatived by accomplices advising the hunted man of their movements. N.S. WALES COAL DISPUTE. THE SOUTHERN COLLIERIES. A SATISFACTORY SETTLEMENT. SYDNEY, May 24. (Received May 24, at 10.40 p.m.) At the conference between the .southern coal owners and the miners the former granted the men’s demands for increases m payment for certain work, and refused other claims, but the men state that they are well satisfied, with the way che cla-nis have been dealt with. Meanwhile the position on the northern field is unchanged. COMMONWEALTH COAL STOCKS. ASSISTANCE TO THE STATES. MELBOURNE, May 24. (Received May 24, at i. 0.40 p.m.) At the Premiers’ Conference Mr Bruce stated, with reference to the coal dispute in New South Wales, that the commonwealth had certain stocks of coal, and as the commonwealth realised it was imperative that certain public utilities and State activities • should be carried out it was prepared to allocate coal to the States to enable them to carry on necessary activities, and the Government had appointed a Commission to advise on the distribution of coal in the States. |