AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18896, 23 June 1923, Page 7

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

lEDERAL POLITICS. Prees Association—By Telegraph—Copyright MELBOURNE, June 22. In the Federal House of 'Representatives Sir Blakeley moved a fourth amendment for the Labour Party, censuring the Government for the Commonwealth and Anglo-Persian Oil Company agreements. Mr Bruce replied, and the amendment was defeated by 37 to 25. Dr Earl Pago continued the Address-in-Reply debate, chiding the Opposition for obstructing the Ministry in its efforts to pass proposals which would be for the good of all Australia. The debate was adjourned. dumping DUTY ON MAIZE. SYDNEY, June 22. Consternation has been caused among a number of Sydney merchants over the decision of the Commonwealth Government to impose a dumping duty of 7d per cental (equal to about 4d per bushel) on maize imported from South Africa. The Customs Minister previously agreed to the necessity of' such importations, with the result that orders were confidently placed in South Africa, and some of the shipments are actually in Australian waters. A meeting of protest will be held to-day. WAGES OF SHEARERS. SYDNEY, June 22. It is 1 announced that the council of the Australian Workers’ Association has decided not to apply, as previously intended, for a variation in the recent Federal shearing award. Consequently shearing will start at award rates. MILITARY AND NAVAL COLLEGES. SYDNEY, June 22. It is understood that the Federal Cabinet is considering a definite suggestion to permanently close Duntrcon Military College and Jervoic Bay Naval College, which would entail Australian officers for either service being trained in England. PACIFIC CABLE DUPLICATION. SYDNEY, June 22. The cable ship Stephen is due at Sydney on Monday. The Pacific Cable Board expects that a start will be made at Bondi on Wednesday to duplicate the line from Sydney to Southport, and subsequently to Auckland and Fiji. ARTISTS AND THE EXHIBITION. MELBOURNE, June 22. The Victorian artists held a meeting and decided to inform the Sydney artists that there would be a general withdrawal of Victorian work from the Exhibition unless their proposals are acceded to. COAL MINERS’ STRIKE. SYDNEY, June 22. (Received June 22, at 11.40 p.m.) The conference of miners and coal owners to settle the northern coal dispute was opened in camera. Tile miners at the Redhead colliery at Newcastle, numbering 400, have ceased work over a dispute concerning the rates of pay.