AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2649, 21 December 1915, Page 8

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

—. — t ROWDY MEETING MISS PANKHURST COUNTED* OUT By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Melbourne, December 20. There was a rowdy meeting at the Bijou Theatre. Miss Adela Pankhurst, under the auspices of the Socialists, attempted to deliver a lecturo called ''.Shall tho Men Enlist?" Soldiers in the audience counted out the girls who were singing "I Did Not Raise Sly Boy to Be a Soldier." A returned wounded soldier clambered on the platform and .partially restored order, but the chairman ordered him off. This was tlie signal for the soldiers to rush the platform and' take charge of the meeting. After singing patriotic songs amidst the shouts of tho Socialists, tliey -eventually allowed Miss Pankhurst to deliver her .lecture, finally singing the National Anthem.- The. Socialists in the audience were 6ilent, and did not remove their lials. ARSENALS COMMITTEE. RETURNS FROM VISIT TO INDIA. Frsrhantle, December 20. The Arsenals Committee, which was recently dispatched to, India, returned hy the Arabia. . It is Understood the Committer- will submit ail important report to tlie" Federal authorities. COST OF FOODSTUFFS. ADVANCE SINCE LAST CHRISTMAS. Sydney, Decembor 20. The "Sydney Morning Herald," comparing tho cost of food this Christmas W'th that- of last, showg that forty items or groceries are 20 per cent, dearer, bacon and ham are 2d. to 3d., and choose 4d. dearer. Butter v has advanced by 375. per cwt.; and potatoes by £5 a ton. LOANED WHEAT. REBATE IN CUSTOMS DUTIES.' Sydney, December 20. The Hon. D. it. Hall (Attornoy-Gcn-eral) has obtained a rebate, of the Customs duty on 100,000 bushels of wheat from New Zealand, and returned to the place that loaned it in January last. Customs duties amounting to £2200 had been imposed since the loan was made. STATE COAL MINES. A QUEENSLAND VENTURE. Brisbane, December 20. Tho Government,. which was recently negotiating for the purchase of tho I'dackheatli and Aberdare coal mines for State purposes, is now stated to havo purchased the Bos Flat and Parkhead properties in the same district. The puce is between £75,000 and £100,000. TRAGEDY AT GREFELL. AN OLD MAN SHOT DEAD. (Rec. December 20, 9.40 p"m.) Sydney,' December 20. . A tragedy has occurred at Grefell, where an old man,namediMichael McUe was'found in bed shot- through tho ' heart. . The evidence shows that a stone was ■thrown tit ths window which roused McUe, who sat up and received- the fatal shot. ' His son has been arrested on a ohargu of murdering his fathor. TRADES HALL ROBBERY. BUCKLEY AND WARD SENTENCED. Melbourne, December 20. . The charge of murder ..having', been ■ abandoned, Buckley and Ward pleaded guilty to breaking into the. Trades Hall . on October 1. i Buckley was sentenced to six years and Ward to livo years'hard labour. k MUNICIPAL DEADLOCK. LEGAL PROCEEDING INITIATED. (Rec. December 20, 11.20 p.m.) Sydney, December .20. Another development has taken place in the municipal deadlock. Alderman Richards', the Lord Mayor, has initiated legal proceedings to test tho election against his opponent- in tho recent elections, Alderman Vernon, on the grounds of alleged improper voting and impersonating. , ' ' [Tlie election resulted in a tie.] ITEMS IN BRIEF.! A VETERAN POLITICIAN. > Perth,' December 20. Many congratulations havo been, tendered Sir John Forrest on his attaining his fiftieth year of continuous public life. FIRE AT A SAWMILL! Brisbane, December 20. Messrs. Johnston and Freeman's saw- , mill at Southpcirt was destroyed by fire. The damage amounts to £8000.