AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18067, 19 April 1933, Page 4

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

While taking a man to the lock-up at Bowen (Q.) a constable fell to the ground and was fatally injured. A steadily-improving position Is disclosed in Victorian finances, the shortage for the nine months being £ 1,500.000 or less • than half what it was at this time last year.

In Tasmania many potato growers are demanding the resignation of the Marketing Board, in which) they have lost confidence. This action is due to me hoard’s intimation that it will oppose lifting the embargo on New Zealand potatoes.

Wheat exports from tile Commonwealth this season to April 6, were the equivalent of 86.532.453 bushels. Of this quantity 48,628,130 bushels went to countries outside Europe, principally to China and Japan. George Henry Buekland, formerly secretary of the A.W.U., was awarded £SOOO damages against the Gabor miitv for alleged libel. The amount a warden by the jury was the full amount claimed. A stay of proceedings was granted. The, Gomiiionwealtli Weaving Mills, Limited, lias decided to build _ a new cotton weaving tactory at Waterloo. Tliis is regarded as a welcome sign ot reviving confidence in industry. A contract for the building has been let.

The Queensland railway management lias had a brain wave. It has been decided to give “baksheesh” tea ami biscuits to irevellers between Sydney and Brisbane on the limited express. Tlio biscuits are to be contained in ‘ hygienic wrappers” with the inscription— With the compliments of the Railway Commissioners.” .

Official figures prepared by the New South Wales Department of Labor and Industry during March show that the number of persons registered with the State Labor Kxchanges in the Sydney metropolitan area was nearly 40,000 less at the end of February than nine months previously. Goodwill Ship

A bold venture to secure a larger measure of Eastern trade will be inaugurated with the sailing of the Australian goodwill ship Nieuw Zeeland from Melbourne and Sydney for Eastern ports. This experiment has the hearty support of the Commonwealth and State Governments, the Chambers of Commerce and Manufacturers, and of individual firms. Every berth has been taken and arrangements have been made tor a display at each of the numerous ports the ship will visit, of the varied assortment ol Australian manufactured goods that are being carried. A satisfactory increase of trade and the cementing of good re-

lations between Australian and Eastern merchants is expected as a result of the vovage.

Export Prices

Export prices remain low and they remain also the most important factor in Australian business conditions. Never t holess, the position continues to improve generally, largely owing to reductions in costs, expansion of credit, the exchange rate and a remarkable increase in the quantity of primary produce Australian - policy has aimed at supporting prices and reducing costs. The internal price level has remained stable and this, with cost-reduction, has enabled profits to reappear in many branches of industry.

Commonwealth Bank Report The conservative half-yearly report of the Commonwealth Bank notes a slikht improvement in domestic business in the last six months. “The figures for exports, imports and overseas payments," the report states, “reflect a reasonably satisfactory position, having regard to the price of export commodities.” The report points out that Australia has been fortunate in escaping bad seasons and that, partial droughts, which must 'be expected, would make the struggle for financial equilibrium more strenuous if they occurred before commodity prices improved. Women Athletes’ Record

As in oilier countries, Australian women are taking increasing interest in athletic sports. They are tine swimmers and play football, cricket and many other games. At a women’s annual track and field games championship meeting in Sydney in March, both State and Australian records were . created, and the demonstration astonished the followers of athletics. One girl threw the dir :us 107 ft. 10in. (which was 19ft. 2fin. 'beter than the Australian record), and another hurled the javelin 108 ft,. (the State record being 97ft. 10in.), while second and third competitors in both events all beat the previously recorded figures. Others excelled in fiat and hurdle racing. The performances did not approach world figures, but it is believed that it, is only a matter of time when they will. British Film Director

I'urlher developments are anticipated in the Australian film industry as a result of the visit of n British director with a male and female star who will be in the east of several Australian films to he made here. While here the visiting expert is expected to inquire into the whole question of Australian production. The light, the climate and other conditions are ideal for filming and Australians have the reputation of being the world’s greatest film “fans.”

A Flower Seller’s Income

A mild sensation was caused in Sydney by an Income tax Department’s revelation in the course of a prosecution, that a street flower seller’s income amounted to over £IOOO a year. It was an illustration of the opportunities afforded in Australia to hard working people. L'lij defaulter was a Greek, who came here in 1914. It was not stated how long ho had had the flower stall, which was not in the principal part of the city, but in one of the outer thoroughfares, but the taxation officers discovered that bis income from it in 1930 was £IOOO, nml in 1931 £llll. while lie had. considerable accumulations in the bank returning him further income in interest.

Heavy Fruit Yields The fruit - season yield has beon a particularly heavy one, with the result that there'has been a glut all over Australia, with consequent low prices, In the past, Germany has been a consistent purchaser of Australian apples, hilt her imports have mainly been Iroiu Victoria. During the month, however, Queensland has come on to the market with some specially choice specimens from Stanthorpe, and by the steamer Lounu. which left Brisbane on March 2, 2000 cases of Stanthorpe apples were shipped to Germany. Tasmanian Razor Blades

The production of safety razor blades which are likely to command a Veady sale on the Australian market, has been •commenced in Tasmania. The factory which has been established at Hobart is producing several thousand blades a day. The blades . are manufactured from specially imported ’ high-grade Swedish steel, and it is claimed, that the product will be at least equal to the best imported razor blades. The Australian market absorbs about 1,000,000 blades weekly, and the Tasmanian venture hopes eventually to secure tho whole of the Commonwealth market, as well as that of New Zealand and other countries. . . k

High Quality Egg Pulp Recent shipments of Tasmanian egg pulp have been declared by London experts to be “equal to the finest . grade of Chinese,” which is the highest estimate essential for the future of tfus young industry. Hitherto Chinese egg pulp has been regarded on the JLopdon market as the best obtainable; and is so well known that it has held priority on tho market. Nevertheless, the Tasmanian egg pulp marketed in London lias sold satisfactorily at prices as high as those realised by the Chinese; The Tasmanian product has the advantage of being free of duty, whereas Chinese pulp is subject i* Britain to a 10 per cent, impost.