AUSTRALIAN.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 October 1919, Page 4

AUSTRALIAN.

f AUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION] DROUGHT UNBROKEN. SYDNEY, Oct. 24. The recent rains failed to benefit to any material extent a large part of the drought-affected areas. Sheep aro again being rushed to market and sold at low prices. MISSIONARY ALLEGATIONS. SYDNEY, Oct. 24. The Rev. Mr Kench read a paper at the meeting of the Congregational IJn. ion dealing with the treatment of thd natives in the islands of the Pacific. He said that for years the natives have been the victims of political intrigue and commercial greed. The story was a sad. one, and a foul blot on Australia’s fair name and the escutcheon of otlir nations. The islanders were trick ed out of their lands, corrupted. by European vices, and carried away into ivhat was nothing else than legalised slavery by “blackbirders;” who supplied labour for the Queensland plantations. It was estimated tha«b 70,000 had thus been from their homes. Rad as the stffcy was, it would have Keen infinitely worse but for the heroic efforts of the missionaries.

ASSISTING THE FLIERS. MELBOURNE, Oct. 25. In the House of Representatives, Mr Cook stated that besides an arrangement on land fqr assistance to competitors in the England to Australia flight, the Navy will patrol between .Port Kopang and Port Darwin. RE-FLOATED. MELBOURNE, Oct. 25. The Valmarie, which ran ashore on the Ninety Mile Beach on September 30th, Iras been successfully re-floated. A. CLOSE VOTE. ADELAIDE, Oct. 25. In the Assembly, Mr Wilcox moved a reduction of £l2 in the vote for the Governor’s establishment, as a protest against the Government inactivity in not moving for the abolitiion of State governors. The motion was defeated by the Chairman <sf Committee’s casting vote. TASMANIAN BUDGET. HOBART, Oct. 25. The Budget shows a deficit of £131,742, which, it is estimated will be increased to £142,606 at the end of the current year. SUGAR CROP SHORTAGE. MELBOURNE, Oct. 26. It is officially stated that owing to the drought, the sugar crop will probably be 165,000 tons. This is considerably lower than the May estimate of the crop. A FIRE. ADELAIDE, Oct. 26. A fire destroyed Holden Frosts leather warehouse, the damage being estimated at £7OOO.