THE COMMONWEALTH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 20043, 4 September 1920, Page 9

THE COMMONWEALTH.

AUSTRALIAN NEWS. By Telegraph—Press ABsooittion—Copyriglit, Australian end N.Z. Cable Association. (Received Bcntember 4, 11.10 a.m-) SIDNEY, September 4. The Advertising Conference adopted a Federal constitution, the title being the Advertising Association of Australia. and Now Zealand. Tho Ilia warm coalminers passed a resolution repudiating .‘the Coal Tribunal at present sitting in Sydney, and urging its representative to withdraw. MELBOURNE. September 4. The conference of railway authorities decided to proceed immediately with the third rail experiment at Tooumwal. Tho third rail will bo extended to Victoria. A luxury tux, partly based on the Canadian tax, is fooreshndoowed bv the Commonwealth Government, in lieu of an additional land and income tax. Telegraph rates may be increased, and poesioly postal also’ BRISBANE. September 4. _ The Federal Government has acquired timber and sawmilling interests for war service home purposes, for an amount approaching £500,000. PERTH, September 4. Returned soldiers petitioned that land be unlocked in the Murchison district. They state that 23,000.000 acres are held by thirty pastoralists. SYDNEY, September 4, Mr \V, A. Holman was entertained at hmcheon by liis old friends, and was presented with a cheque for some thousands of pounds. MELBOURNE, September 4. In the House of- Representatives the Arbitration Bill was road for the third time. Sir Joseph Cook announced the appointment of a Royal Commission to report upon tho incidence of taxation, particularly in regard to tho equitable distribution of taxation and harmony between the Commonwealth and the States, and 1 the recognition of the losses by fanners. Mr Hughes explained that tho Shipping Combine had refused to pay rebates to the Victorian Government because tho latter patronised the Ooinmouwdalh Line. The Commonwealth had refunded an equivalent amount to tho Victorian Government to cover the loss.