AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19009, 3 November 1923, Page 10

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

FEDERAL. REVENUE RETURNS. EFFECT OF REDUCED POSTAL RATES. Prasa Association —By Copyright MELBOURNE, November 2. The Federal revenue for October increased by £340,000 compared with the previous October, a feature being an increase of £28,000 in postal receipts covering the period since the reduced rates came into operation. LEVEL CROSSING ACCIDENT. SYDNEY, November 2. A train and a motor lorry collided on a level crossing near Clyde station. The di'iver of the lorry jumped clear. The lorry burst into flames. Five train passengers were injured in their efforts to escape from what they feared -would be a serious smash. HOUSEWIVES BOYCOTT POTATOES. SYDNEY, November 2. On account of the high prices ruling for potatoes, the Housewives’ Association declared them “black,” and called on all housewives to boycott them. FEDERAL NAVAL BOARD. SYDNEY, November 2. Tire Minister of Defence (Mr E. K. Bowden) announces that Rear-admiral Hall-Thompson has been appointed First Naval Member in place of Rear-admiral Everett. CYCLONE IN BRISBANE. BRISBANE, November 2. A cyclone, which was accohipanied by a deluge of hail and rain, destroyed the Roman Catholic Church at Clermont. It unroofed and damaged many residences. BOGUS OIL DISCOVERY. PERTH, November 2. Tiro State mining engineer, reporting on an alleged Oil discovery at Lake Eva, states that an analysis of the oil taken at the borehole proved that it contained manufactured products (kerosene, vaseline, and soap). Tire Government is considering the question of taking action in the matter. NATIONAL INSURANCE SCHEME. MELBOURNE, November 2. (Received Nov. 2, at 7.50 p.m.) In connection with the Royal Comm--sion of Inquiry which is proposed orr the subject of national insurance, a representative of the Trades and Labour Council assured the commission that if a satisfactory national scheme could be introduced the Labour unions would bo quite prepared to incorporate their union benefit funds in the national scheme. COPPER COMPANY CEASES OPERATIONS. ADELAIDE, November 2 (Received Nov. 2, at 8.50 p.m.) ■ The shareholders in the Wallaroo Moonta kilning and Smelting _ Company have agreed to its voluntary liquidation. The assets are £305,000, and the liabilities £171,000. It is stated that the chief cause’ of this step was that copper is now being produced at a loss of £lB a ton. The seconder of the motion attributed the position to Labour agitators making it impossible to carry on profitably, but they had chosen the wrong company for their efforts.