THE COMMONWEALTH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16471, 6 July 1921, Page 7

THE COMMONWEALTH.

AUSTRALIAN NEWS. By Telegraph— Press Association—CcnDyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association (Received July 6, 10.40 a.m.) THE FLOODS. SYDNEY, July 6. The underwriters have abandoned the Woollongbar wreck, which is to be submitted for sale by public auction. There is no further development in the Darling floods, the height of which is above the flood stage at various points. At M’lntyre it reached eighteen feet. The waters are slowly subsiding. U.S. ENTERPRISES RESTRICTED Mr Norton, American Consul, at the Millions Club dinner stated that American firms were eager to start enterprises in Australia, but were prevented m consequence of the War Precautions Act debarring firms with natives of former enemy countries on their share roll. Representations had been made to the Commonwealth. Senator Pratten interposed that lie. had heard that the representations were likely to be successful. NAVY AND MISSING BOATS. MELBOURNE, Julv G. The Minister of the Navy, Mr \V. H. L. Smith, explained in the House of Representatives that the Department was unable to despatch a vessel everjtime a boat was reported missing, as such reports were made frequently. It would disorganisp the work of the training colleges if 300 men were taken away on each occasion. If a boat was known to be in distress it was another matter. ISLAND SHIPPING. * (Received July 6, 10.40 a.m.) MELBOURNE, July 6. Sir Joseph Cook, Federal Treasurer, has received a cable from Fiji protesting against tho abnormal duty on bananas, and predicting the withdrawal of tho Levuka from the Fiji-Sydney trade.