AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3400, 14 May 1919, Page 40

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

The Commonwealth note issue is now £55,918,722, and the gold reserve is £24,366,015. Following on adverse findings by the Angus "Wheat Commission, Sir Richard Butler, State Treasurer of South Australia, refused a request to resign. A meeting of the Executive Council thereupon removed him from office. The Federal Political Labour party resolved to ask the Government to grant a general amnesty to all political _ and military prisoners to mark the declaration of peace. William Doyle has been committed for trial for the murder of Hugo Tuck, also known as Albert Spencer, wno was found dead in a lodging in Elizabeth street in April. Counsel, on behalf of Raphael Tuck, and Sons, denied rumours that the murdered man was related to Raphael Tuck. A severe earthquake was recorded north of Rabaul (New Guinea). The Farmers and Graziers' Co-operative Company has purchased the business of John Bridge and Co., wool and produce merchants, the price being over £200,000. Frank Darcy, brother of the late Les Darcy, and regarded as a coming champion, died from influenza.. The remains of Lord Forrest (who died en route to England) have been reinterred in the family burial ground at Karrakatta, Western Australia. Great crowds witnessed an impressive ceremony. TAINTED WHEAT. The executive of the Sydney Flourmillers.' Employees' Union has instructed members not to handle tainted wheat, flour, or offal. They are prepared to substantiate the allegations that the 1916-17 wheat is unfit for human consumption. Replying to the Sun's charges regarding the 19i6-17 wheat. Mr Holman, in a statement, says that while the wheat had deteriorated to some extent, its freshness and wholesomeness were not affected. The talk of its being affected by mice and weavels was sensation-mongering. The lower portions of the stack affected by -mice were not used. The British Government had accepted flour containing 50 per cent, of this wheat. During the present week, the Government had a test of bakings made, and the analyst reported that the bread met all the requirements of the Pure Food Act.