AUSTRALIAN.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 February 1920, Page 4

AUSTRALIAN.

| AUSTRAL. AN & N.Z. CARLE ASSOCIATION J THE COMMONWEALTH PARTY. MELBOURNE, February 23. The Federal session opens on Thursday. The Government’s policy embraces legislation dealing with some Empire problems, including the future of the League of Nations and man dates for the administration of former German possessions. It is anticipated that there will be an early introduction of new customs and excise schedules. The leadership of the Labour party is expected to produce a trial of strength between the supporters of Mr Tudor (present leader), and Mr T. J. Ryan (ex-Queensland Premier).

METHODIST CONFERENCE. SYDNEY, February 24. The Methodist Conference has opened, and to-day discussed the question of sending missionaries to foreign fields. It was decided to allow Dr Bromilow to return tq Papua. Rev. J. Margetts proceeds to New Britain.

THE BIG FLIGHT. SYDNEY, February 24. Ross Smith left Cootanwndra this morning for Melbourne. He descended twice, however, owing to engine trouble. Finally lie decided to spend the night at Henty, near Albury.

A SUCCESSFUL TOUR. SYDNEY, February 24. The New South Wales State Orchestra returned by the Maheno to-day. The director (Mi- Verbuggen) is highly satisfied with the success of the tour. He expressed pleasant memories of the “joyous-hearted New Zealanders.” He hoped to return again .soon. The gross takings of tho tour were over £12,000.

• AN EPIDEMIC TRAGEDY. BRISBANE, February 24. The Shipping Inspector at Thursday Island reports that the ketch “Phoenix” sank" at anchor in a small river there. (All the crew died of flu and none wore left to man the pumps.

A SYDNEY TRAGEDY. SYDNEY, February 24. The woman whose body was found in some scrub at the suburb of Sutherland lias been identified. The body was very decomposed. She was the wife of Constable Won-all, who recently returned from the front. She was only married on Christmas Eve. There are no further details.

THE NORTHERN TERRITORY. A BIG SCHEME- THAT FAILED. MELBOURNE., February 24. At the Northern Territory Inquiry today, Mr Randolph Bedford, M.L.C., for Queensland, gave evidence. He said lie met Dr Gilruth, in 1916. Dr Gilruth said: “You are attacking me in the newspapers.” Witness replied: “We have not started yet!” Dr Gilruth heatedly exclaimed: “The territory will be no good to the Commonwealth. I made an offer of five millions on behalf of a syndicate to purchase it, with the object of leasing it, and spending ten millions on it.” Witness replied to tho Doctor: “You won’t buy a! country five times the size of France for a peanut.” Dr Gilruth, he continued, then said this statement was made in confidence and he requested him (Bedford) not to publish it. Witness had respected this confidence till 1917, when he read a cable in a Brisbane paper stating that a company was being formed in England with a capital of one hundred millions, to exploit the Dominions after the war. Thinking that this might be connected with the Northern Territory he then made the declaration in Parliament in June of 1917.

Replying to a query, Mr Bedtord stated Dr Gil ruth was very emphatic. He was very much in earnest.