AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Southland Times, Issue 18936, 24 September 1920, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

FEDERAL PARLIAMENT. THE NAVAL ESTIMATES. (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) MELBOURNE, September 23. (Received September 24, 1.30 a.m.) In the Hou.se of Representatives, Sir Joseph Cook tabled the u ivy estimates, which provide for an expenditure of £3,265,878 a-s compared with £1,989,485 in 1913-14. This total provides for the care and maintenance of the fleet, which has been increased by twenty vessels since 1914, and an increase of personnel. He said that the huge indebtedness of the Commonwealth had to be considered in framing the estimates, and it bad been necessary to reduce the strength of the sea-going fleet to six submarines with a parent ship, six new destroyers, two sloops, one light cruiser, and one training cruiser. Of Ihe remaining ships, the Australia and the Melbourne would be reduced to nucleus crews, the Australia becoming a gunnery and torpedo drill ship. There would be a total of eleven ships in reserve, some of which would he exercised half yearly for a few' days with the sea-going force. The Treasurer stated that the expenditure for the current year would amount to £3,450,000. The total amount required for soldier settlements was estimated at £50,000,000. IMPERIAL CONFERENCE. STATEMENT BY MR HUGHES. MELBOURNE, September 23. Mr Hughes announced that he anticipated visiting Britain next year to attend the conference of the dominions’ Prime Ministers. WOOL PROFITS. DISTRIBUTION TO GROWERS. MELBOURNE, September 23. The Central Wool Committee has made available £5,430,000 for distribution among wool growers of the Commonwealth. This represents (he retention of money for adjustment of the appraised price of wool to a flat rate. COMMONWEALTH WHEAT POOL, PROJECTED SALE TO EGYPT. MELBOURNE. September 23. (Received September 23, 0.15 p.m.) In the House of Representatives Mr Hughe.s announced that the Commonwealth had agreed to enter the wheat pool and that negotiations were practically completed for the sale of 300,000 tons of wheat and flour to the Egyptian Government. NEW SOUTH WALES POLITICS. ANTI-PROFITEERING BILL. SYDNEY, September 23. There ia much ad-verse comment in the business community on the AntiPro fitec ring Bill. It. is claimed that business men will be disinclined to venture the investment, of further capital if profits are fixed on too narrow a limit. It would render business insecure, cause stagnation and result in increased unemployment. It. is also claimed that the talk of wholesale profiteering is without found,vion. If investigation were made it would prove that the profits of the great majority of traders were not excessive. NEW SOUTH WALES LIQUOR POLL. BAPTIST SUPPORT OF PROHIBITION. SYDNEY. September 23. (Received September 23, 7.25 p.m.) The annual session of the Baptist Union decided to support the prohibition poll despite the monetary compensation provision, to which it is opposed, believing that the benefits received would more than offset the cost of such compensation. PRICE OF COAL. EARLY INCREASE ANNOUNCED. SYDNEY. September 23. (Received September 23. 7.25 p.m. i The colliery* proprietors -fit? thru an almost immediate increase in the s-s’iing puce of cord will he imperative as the result of the Coal Tribunal’s award. Though it inot yet. possible to definitely fix the advance, it is estimated that it, will probably be over 3/- a ton. COAL PRICE PROCLAIMED. SYDNEY. Sc-pUmber 23. (Received September 23, 5.55 p.m.) The Commodities Commission has iwued a proclamation fixing the price of coni at to-day's rates. VICTORIAN BUDGET. NO X. ’■ , . -T- hN. MELBOURNE, S.:pte:-t'.,-r 23. The State budget provides no new taxation. The Treasurer (Mr McPherson 1 in a preBudgct statement, said the. revenue for 1919-20 was £15,433,000 against the estimate of £13.85-4,000. The estimated revenue and expenditure for 1920-21 was £17,500,000. Referring to the whea f yield, he stated that the area under cultivation was estimated at 3,000,030 acres against 2,000,000 in 1919-20. The yield was expected to approximate 50,000,000 bushels. THE GEORGESON CASE. APPLICATION IN LUNACY. SYDNEY, September 23. (Received September 23, 8.55 p.m.) The Attorney-General made an application in lunacy jurisdiction for a declaration that Gcorgeson, who was mentioned in connection with the wheal inquiry, is incapable of managing his affairs and asking for the appointment of a manager of his affairs. POST AND TELEGRAPH RATES. AN INCREASE PROPOSED. MELBOURNE, September 23. (Received September 23, 8.55 p.m.) Increases in postal and telegraph rates will become operative when a bill which has been introduced in the House of Representatives is passed by Parliament.