AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VI, Issue 1810, 2 December 1919, Page 7

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

SUSTENANCE ALLOWANCE. By Cable. — Press Association. — Copyright. SYDNKY, Dec. 1. The Minister of Repatriation has announced that in view of the increased cost of living the Repatriation Commission is raising the sustenance allowance by 5/- weekly where the total allowance is now under £3 2/6 weekly. A slightly smaller increase will be made where incomes exceed that amount. DROUGHT NOT BROKEN. SYDNEY, Dec. 1. Useful rain has fallen in the eastern half of the State, and in the Rivcrina district. The drought in the western districts has not been relieved. THE FEDERAL ELECTIONS. SYDNEY, Dec. 1. Mr T. J. Ryan, after touring most of the States, is very optimistic about the election results, and predicts an easy Labour victory, with the defeat of six members of the Cabinet, including Mr Hughes himself. The supporters of Mr Hughes, and the strongest section of the Press, are convinced that Mr Ryan is allowing his optimism to badly mislead him. TROPICAL DISEASES. (Rec. Dec. 2, 10.55) SYDNEY, Dec. 2. An expedition from the London Tropical School of Medicine has arrived en route to the Gilbert and Ellice Islands to investigate tropical diseases. CHILD MAINTENANCE BILL. (Rec. Dec. 2, 10.55) SYDNEY, Dec. 2. Although not abandoning the principle of the Childrens Maintenance Bill the Government has decided to accept the Board of Trade's declaration of the -. living wage of £3 17/-. CANTEEN PROFITS. (Rec. Dec. 2, 10.55) MELBOURNE, Dec. 2. The Government has decided to distribute the canteen profits to the dependents of deceased soldiers. THE NORTHERN TERRITORY. (Rec. Dec. 2, 10.55) MELBOURNE, Dec. 2. The Federal Government has announced that it is giving the Northern Territory a representative in the Senate, who will be entitled to speak and vote on all territorial questions.