THE COMMONWEALTH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19846, 15 January 1920, Page 5

THE COMMONWEALTH.

AUSTRALIAN NEWS,

By Telegraph—Press A usociation—Copyright Australian and N.Z. Coble Association. (Received January 15 8.15 a.m.)

STATE ELECTIONS

SYDNEY, January 10. There are evident preparations for the coming 'State elections. Though the date lias not yet been fixed the elections will bo held certainly before the end of March. The issues are mixed. Besides the alleged disruption amongst the Nationalists there is considerable dissension in the ranks of Labour, whose Central Executive appears to ho not closely in touch with the rank and tile. The Farmers’ Party intends making a strong bid, and Independents, also, are not wanting.

LIFE INSURANCE IN COMMON-

WEALTH.

The total life insurance policies hi force in Australia number 1,315,251, assuring £152,710,312,.. and carrying annual premiums of a value of £5,786.00. A feature is the solid increase in the amount insured during the war years.

(Received January 15, 10.35 a-m.) [WHEAT COMMISSION. SYDNEY, January 15. The report of the AVheat inquiry Commission, dealing with the sale of 1915-16 guaranteed wheat, stated that through the Hon AV. C. Grahamc’s failure, V’hen the pool was formed, to protect his own contract with one firm, New South Wales was mulcted in a direct loss of £BOOO- It appeared that Grahamo, prior to the formation of the pool, agreed with n firm to sell wheat, which it proceeded to do. AA’ben the pool was formed this wheat was not excepted from ’ it, and therefore Grahamo was unable to fulfil the agreement. The £BOOO referred to represented a portion of the firm’s commission. LOW GOLD YIELD. The gold yield for 1919 is the lowest on record. It is valued at £279,600, a decrease of £90,077 compared with the previous year. BREWERY STRIKE OFF. The brewery employees have declared the strike off, returning to work on the employers’ terms. A FORTY-HOUR WEEK. The building trade employees decided that from February 1 they wilj work only a forty-hour week. NO SUNDAY BAKING. A meeting of the Bakers’ Union resolved in future not to work on Sunday. HOUSE BUILDING. AIELBOTJRNE, Januniy 15. The A) ar Service Homes Commission has decided during the next ten years to erect 20,000 homes in the Commonwealth. TRADE RELATIONS WITH GERAIANY.

A proclamation prohibits all trade relations with Germany. INCREASE IN PRICE OP TEA. Merchants have increased the price or tea by 3d a pound. AN AIR, BOARD.

The Government is forming an Air Board, comprising representatives of tho army and navy, to administer tho air service.

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE IN WHE-VT YARDS.

a c ■ ADELAIDE, January 15. A faro in the wheat yards at Wallaroo destroyed the Penross Bag Factory and the British Government's sterilising and reconditioning plants. The wheat stacks were saved.’ but it is estimated that tho damage will amount to scores of thousands of pounds sterling About three hundred employees are ron clered idle. The origin of the fire, which is the latest oi a number of mysterious outbreaks, is unknown. The damage is covered by insurance. °