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By Sydneyside

Sydney is the hub of the South Pacific, and its news is news. Here are some of the things that made August-Sept, headlim

TREASURER Holt’s first Fed eral Budget, presented in mid-August—it took 1J hours to deliver and sounded more like a policy speech—turned out to be a “Nothing for Nobody” effort that dashed many fond hopes and has had chain-re actions ever since. Biggest screams were about increased postal charges, especially bulk postage, which were obviously introduced without much expert advice. If persisted with, these could have put many small publishers, who depend on mail services for dis tribution, out of business.

The Government back-pedalled on some proposed increases—not the whole way, but enough to ease the burden but the full treatment remains for some items.

Ordinary postage is now up to sd; registration is 2/- instead of 1 6; parcels post is up 20 per cent. Telephone rentals are up, so are trunk-line calls Within a couple of weeks of presenting this brainchild to the nation, Mr. Holt left for London and the Commonwealth Financial Conference where he, no doubt, is showing them how to make budgets and infuriate people. * * * THE FEVER: In Australia’s biggest-yet take-over bid (it’s epidemic at present), H. C. Sleigh Ltd., made a close to £l2 million offer for Adelaide Steamship Co.

Ltd. No dice. * * *

The Strong Look: Schoon

ers, middies and ponies (all beer glass sizes, in case you are un instructed) will soon be coming in different shapes in Sydney pubs.

Designers have been hard at work designing new glasses that are not so accident-prone. Estimated wastage from breakages (and other causes), in NSW hotels is 800,000 dozen per year. * * *

Culture V Finance: The

Sydney Opera House of re volutionary design, still just a hole in the ground at Benelong

Point, will open for business January, 1963, according to ever-hopfful Premier Ca Some optimists have alre booked it for a function in Ma 1963, notwithstanding the that we are still around million short of the £3>. mil needed to build it. (Austn Day, in January, 1963, marks 175th anniversary of the fou ing of the first European set ment in Australia.) * * *

Most Distinguise

VISITOR: She was, of cou Princess Alexandra, who loa in for a week after official du at the Queensland Centerr Celebrations. As in Queensls the emphasis was on youth, suit the Princess’ 22 years, i on democracy. Civic fathers I lined up an impressive stn of typists, under-graduai plumbers, nurses, and facti workers to meet her. It t probably a pleasant change fr the usual collection of fudl duddies and politicians. * * *

Also Visiting Us: And S

via the Queensland Centenj Celebrations, the Luton Gii Choir—or 50 members of sarm dressed in identical outfits fr identical cream suitcases. TI were welcomed at the airport September 6 by frantic fans, cameras and a guard of Man ing Girls in assorted sizes. * * * DEPARTED; On September) The Kangaroos representatl Rugby League team for a fa months tour of UK and Fran * * *

The Things They Thii

OF: People have been buyi commercial-type vehicles (161 sales tax), complete with “static wagon conversion kits” and escaping the 30% sales tax passenger vehicles. They wen but not for much long* Treasurer Holt will soon introdv legislation to plug this leak the public purse.