THE COMMONWEALTH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16744, 27 May 1922, Page 13

THE COMMONWEALTH.

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

DEFENCE SCHEME. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received May 27, 9.5 a.m.) MELBOURNE, May 27. It is stated that under the new defence scheme the total annual cadet training establishment will he approximately 31.000 of all ranks, which is a reduction of 80,000 on the existing establishment. PRICE OF MTLK INCREASED. SYDNEY, May 27. Mr Justice Beeby, in the Profiteering Prevention Court, increased the price of milk from 7£d to Bd, on the ground that the cost of production increased during the winter. TO COMPETE WITH GERMANY. The Commonwealth and Dominion Lines of steamers propose to establish a regular monthly service from Australia to Hamburg, to compote against the German line when trade is resumed on August 1. ? THE BASIC WAGE. SYDNEY, May 27. The Board of Trade is e.xpected to decide next week whether the basic wage for women will be reviewed. A reduction of 3s is foreshadowed. The new wage for men. which was fixed by the Board of Trade at £3 18s, was gazetted yesterday, and applied to the workers at Broken Hill. FRUITLESS CONFERENCE. The coalminers met the owners at a conference, and discussed the latter’s suggested reductions in wages. The confer''noe failed to reach any result, and adjourned till next week. INTEREST ON WAR LOANS. MELBOURNE, May 27. The Federal Treasury will distri buto £5.000.000 interest on war loans on June 15. COMPANY TO BE WOUND UP. Tn consequence of Mr Justice Cussen stating that certain articles of the company wore an unreasonable restraint on trade, the directors of the Victorian Onion and Potato Growers’ Association have recommended the shareholders to wind up the company, which was formed in 1921 to market potatoes and onions.