In preparation for the inauguration of the national insurance plan on January 1, 1939, the Commonwealth Insurance Commission is placing orders for millions of insurance cards and contribution stamps.
The design of the stamps to be used on the cards has been completed and the Commonwealth Stamp Printing Office will begin production within the next few weeks. The value of the stamp will be the chief feature of the design, and the stamps will resemble the State duty stamps more than the Commonwealth postage stamps.
In addition, however, a heraldic device incorporating the kangaroo and emu of the Commonwealth coat of arms will appear on each stamp. Colours will vary according to the value of the stamp, and values will range from 4d. in small amounts to Each week, stamps to the value of 3s. will have to be placed on the contribution card of each insured man by his employer, the cost of the stamps being equally shared between the two. The normal weekly contribution for women will be 2.
United States and Canada Trade At the end of the 1937-38 financial year, Australia's favourable trade balance showed a decline of more than £30,000,000 (Australian currency) from the previous year.
At June 30 the total favourable balance, including transactions in bullion and specie, was £14,808,000, At the end of 1936-37 it was £45,525,000.
In terms of sterling, the respective figures were £11,848,000 and £36,-
369,090,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.