AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume V, Issue 1359, 21 June 1918, Page 9

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

PACIFIST IDEALS. By Cable. — Press Association. — Copyright. PERTH, June 20. The Interstate Labour Conference carried resolutions opposing any form of Imperial federation, and repudiating Mr Hughes and Mr Cook as representing Labour or the people of Australia. It was decided to inform the leader of the British Labour Party regarding the latter resolution, anil also to ask Mr Watt (the Acting-Premier) to cable it to Mr Hughes and Mr Arthur Henderson. The conference is discussing the war and recruiting question in camera. Mr Tudor, speaking at a public meeting in connection with the conference, said that the Labour Party stood for an early peace, but not one where one side knocked oil' and the other continued fighting. He believed that reason should prevail, and that a move should be made to stop the present awful slaughter and resultant misery. SUGAR PURCHASE. (Rec. Junr. 21, 11.5) MELBOURNE, June 21. Mr Watt announced that the Commonwealth has purchased the whole of the Queensland sugar crop for the present season and for 1919-20, involving an expenditure of £1G,000,000. MEAT PRICES, (Roc. June 21, 11.5) MELBOURNE, June 21. A deputation of 3000 farmers and graziers from Victoria, New South Wales, and South Australia waited on Mr Watt to protest against the proposal to fix the price of meat, as the report of the commission was contrary to the evidence rendered. Mr Watt, in reply, said the Government considered it necessary to fix the price, but it was purely a war measure, and, if necessary," further evidence would be taken" by the Prices Commission.