From Our Ows Melbourne, Feb, 17.
Perhaps the note of warning given by the Minister for Trade and Customs, Mr. Pratten, has arrived at an opportune tims." This gent man requests Australians to refrain from. purchasing the unnecessary things in life, such as automobiles, gramophones and pinnolas. As these purchases are very. largely Dought from the United States, and the Commonwealth trade" balance swith that country does not favour is at all, he thinks it would be advisable' to put the money into houses and land. In this Mr. Pratten is probably right, for itis a notorious fact that the luxuries mentioned are most attractive to the general population because they can hie bought on an extremely ea payment system. Tt is not 30 well~ Known that houses and land can false' be bought upon' the same aystem, but the former. have outward show, give fleeting pleasure to the wife and children, and may, or may not, create a happier atmosphere in the home. It cer tainly' keeps "numerous collectors Dusy, housewives on the tip-toe of expectation of a summons, and.she post-office receiving a tidy revenue from "dunning" notices.
The marked trade depression in some of the Australian branches of industry cannot be wholly blamed for this excess of the non-necessities of life, The prolonged dry. season had much to do with it. The connual Increase of expenditure in the various governmental departments alto helped towards it, and, so far das Victoria is concerned, the departure of the seat of Federal activities to Canberra also probably helped in the adverse state of business, Figures Speak When revenue commences to fall, the optimism of our politicians takes to. the downward path. Gone are the high-flown utterances: regarding the unlimited resources of our great Commonwealth und in their place the matured thought which prompts economy. The doctrine preached by some members of the Cabinet still retains much of their old optimism, Dut the following figures to the end fof the year 1927, for six months, speak for themaclves:—
5 1920 Customs and Rx) nat 105,788 soldier land days between the storms proved unbearable, owing to the moisture and high humidity, People swell tered in the unusual heat, complaining with unaccustomed bitterness. At Toorourrong, the centre of the catchment district for Mel-
Bourne's water supply, 873 points fell in 24°hours. On the main road from Kilmore to Bendigo, a chasm 20 ft, deep and 30 ft. wide has been caused through the heavy waters and all trafic on this important yond has been stopped, pending bridge being erected across it.
This tropical storm has left its mark through Queensland and New South Wales, where floods are even now taking place. The, Warrego river is already over a mile wide, and at Nive Junction, where the Nive and Warrego waters meet, considerable damage has been done. Shearing is an impossibility, owing to the sheep being wet, and no mail ears can get though called Augathella The trict is cut off by flooded creeks and the Ward river is in flood and cannot be crossed. All this. part of Southern Queensland but a few months ago was in the grip of drought, now the other extreme. Mails are being carried in many instances by air, and once again isolated settlers have every reason to thank the foresight of the Queensland air enthusiasts who have made such strides in linking up various outlying towns by the British Exhibition On February 23 will be held the first British' Trade Exhibition' Organized in Australia, and all efforts are being made to achieve a smut success. With the touch, of showmanship, so necessary when displaying wares nowadays, the eon-18 of the exhibition have been enough to introduce what, should be termed side-lines. These ore the drawing cards, and once enticed within the building, the people will, itis hoped, seck to learn all that is to be known regarding British goods. The sidesifes are Seagrave's 1,000 lip. Sunbeam ear with which he broke the world's record at Daytona; an model of the Ma model of the Schneider aeroplane which has has been specially built for this exhibition. Besides these 8 complete old-English inn is in course of erection.
The charge for admission is being made 0 low that no one has the slightest excuse to. remain away from this great exhibit Of course, the effect towards Briish trade ts the main consideration, and, it the. krowing re-action of the people as. regards goods from without the Em-
The expenditure for the sume months has shown an inereare of £2,268,330. This amount. made up principally from the follow! for Redenpon of Debt Interest ire continues on the increase, the. exhibition has arrived at a most, opportune time.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.