THE COMMONWEALTH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 20076, 12 October 1920, Page 7

THE COMMONWEALTH.

AUSTRALIAN NEWS, By ToUgye.pt—Press Association—Capyrijht, Australian and N.Z. Cable Association, (Received October 12, 8.40 a.m.) PRODUCE PURCHASING BOARD’S OPERATIONS, i , SYDNEY, October 12. Iho operations of the Rural Industries Board, formed by tho State Government for the purpose of purchasing the produce of other Slates for clistihutiou to necessitous farmers during tho drought in New South Wales, aro estimated to show a loss of £6GO,CCO ou purchases of forago n.ud grain alone. PRESS DELEGATES RETURN. Five numbers of the Australian delegatmn to tiie Empire Press Conference returned m the Niagara. COST OF CLOTHING INQUIRY. The commission inquiring into thn cost of clothing lias reported that it is nnablo to regard the returns on capital as excessive, as the total profit vvus not more than 5 per cent ou the turnover. Iho report adds that tho mam cause of high prices is the high cost ot goods to Hie trader, and that, tho relief to bo found by cutting down smalf r ° a * iS IVoldd bc comparatively ADVISED TO STAY AWAY. Mr Garden secretary of tho Trades and Labour Council, has decided not fco fl-ttcud tho London Trado Union Opnferenc© in November, as ho ia mlU6© d by the editor of tho “JDailv Herald, of London, not to go. INCREASE IN PRICE OF CCIAL. MELBOURNE, October 12. , The cost of coal from Wogthaggi has increased by five shillings a ton, and from other hard' coal mines ’by sis shillings. JAPANESE IN NORTHERN 0 TERRITORY. Mr How, Minister for Territories, is investigating the allegation tliot Japanese arc secretly entering Northern Australia. WHEAT AND FLOUR FOR EGYPT. ADELAIDE, October 12. Major Sanders, representing tho Egyptian Government, says he has concluded a contract with the Australian Wheat Board to supply wheat and flour to Egypt, but tho board desired that no particulars bo published at present.