Australian.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 March 1917, Page 3

Australian.

Pkk Press Association.— Copyright (Received March 14, at 10 25 am.) Sydney, March 14 Government has announced that there will be no retrenchment in the Public Service. THE BRIBERY CHARGES. Commission Set Up. Melbourne, March 14 In the Senate, Mr Gardner moved the appointment of a Royal Commission to inquire into Mr Watson's charges against Mr Hughes. Mr Eerricks interjected —Everybody knows already that he was bought. The only question was what price was paid. The motion was ruled out of order. Mr Gardner then moved a motion of dissent from the President's ruling, whioh was carried by 16 to 15. Mr Pearce moved for eppointment of a oommiesion, provided the member accepts the responsibility of making definite charges. This waa defeated by 16 to 15, and Mr Gardner’s motion was carried by 18 to 15, Keating and B.khap voting against the Government. \ Mr Watson announced that he had accepted the service of the writ issued by Mr Hughes. Anti-Shouting / Sydney, March 14 The Methodist Conference carried a motion urging , the introduction of an Anti-Shouting Act, on lines of the New Zealand Act. A Request Melbourne, March 14 In the House of Representatives, during a debate on the Tariff Validation Bill, Dr Maloney said he hoped that Mr Hughes would protect the country against the importation of wicked extravagances in non*essßntials. Cruiser Brisbane Melbourne, March 14 Mr Cook said the cruiser Brisbane Tbad been completed and was now serving with the test of the fleet. He stated it had coat double Jihe amount of other vessels in the fleet. IAILKfiKAMJ..- ■ Per Press Association.—Copyright. BREACH OF MR~i REGULATIONS. II Months Sentence. Auckland, March 13 At the Police Court, Mr Cutten S.M. sentenced Oliver Noakos, a watersider, to eleven months imprisonment for a breach of additional war regulations, in publishing an utterance intended to interfere with the proper unloading of the steamer Westralia. The Magistrate found there was an understanding on part of a section of the watersider.*, not to engage for work before 8 a m., whereas the award time was 7.30, and that when an ex-Preaident of the Union broke the understanding by engaging before ■8 a.m., the defendant made a remark to him which the Magistrate considered to be a threat.

'The magistrate held that the remark was intended to delay engagement till 8 a.m., and consequently a ♦delay in the unloading of the vessel.

Presbytarian Men’s League

Palmerston North, March 12 • A well-attended meeting of members of St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church decided to form a branch, of the Presbyterian Men’s League of New Zealand, The objects./of the, League are to promote amongst men of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand spiritual developments, brotherly love, Christian activity, and deepening the ssds3 of the demands of Christian citizenship. This is the first branch formed in New Zealand. " Wellington’s Milk. Wellington, March 12 'There have been rumours recently •of a grave milk shortage in Wellington. Arrangements have been made to insure a full supply from the Wai« jcarapa independent of the Wellington Farmers’ Associat'on. Killed by Fall. Wellington, March 12 John Tait Craig, aged 68, formerly an employee of the Government Printing Office, fell out of an upstairs window at his residence at Northland yesterday and was killed. It is be* lieved he had a paralytic stroke while looking out of the window. He had been suffering from heart trouble.