AUSTRALIAN.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 April 1921, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN.

I . j AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. FEDERAL POLITICS. MELBOURNE, April 23. In the House of Representatives, Mr Ryan’s amendment was defeated by 24 to 51. THE WHEAT POOL. ADELAIDE, April 23 Mr Barwell (Premier) addressing a deputation of wheat milling trades, said the Government would oppose the continuation of the wheat pool for another year, and not sanction a reference of requisition to farmers by a referen, dum, but in consequence of otlier States remaining in the pool and outside countries preferring to deal direct with the pools, it was decided to post-, pone the final decision for the present. A TEST MOTION. MELBOURNE, April 23. ' Mr Hughes’ test motion, that the paper be printed, was carried by 42 to 21. STOP WORK MEETING. SYDNEY, April 24. Tbe Federated Seamen’s Union have called a stop-work meeting for Tuesday to discuss tlie admission of coloured seamen to the Union. This is the result of a recent statement by Mr Walsh (tbe General Secretary) that if two thousand Chinese applied for mem barship, they would be admitted. SMALL POX. SYDNEY, April 24 The steamer Wonganella, from Batavia, has been quarantined with a case of small-pox aboar. STORM IN SENATE. OVER NEW ARMY BILL. A SENATOR’S DISCLOSURES. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) MELBOURNE, April 25. The Amending Defence Bill before the Senate aroused a storm of protest, as there is the drag net clause, which is incorporated in the British Army Act, brought into the Australian act and Senators were asked to agree to this without being supplied with copies of the British Act. There are possibilities of savage sentences, and harsh discipline, contrary to Australian ideas of freedom. Senator Elliott, a former BrigadierGeneral in the Expeditionary Force, caused a sensation in tbe Chamber bv recounting bis own experiences through falling foul of a duke’s son prior to the great offensive in franco, as a result of which he was denied all further promotion. He attributed tbe treatment to General Birdwood, and accused General Sir Brundenell White of being an accessory, and threatening to send him back to Australia if lie raised a row. The Bill is unlikely to reach the House of Representatives this session. In the House, Mr Brennan’s motion for an adjournment was talked out. SERVICES IN SYDNEY. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) SYDNEY, April 24. Secial Anzac memorial services were held in all the churches to-day, and were largely attended. THE JAP TREATY. UPHELD BY MR HUGHES. (Received This Day at 8.30 a.m.) MELBOURNE, April 25. Mr Hughes speaking at Bendigo, referring to the Anglo-Japanese Treaty', I mentioned that Australia, had never be- ; fore been consulted on this subject de- ! daring it was well that tire Treaty ! was in existence during the war He ! anked—Do you think it would have ■ been an extraordinary' thing it there ! had been no Treaty, that a great na ; tion like Japan with its teeming mil- : lions and great military reputation, had | struck a blow at this great fertile c-on-j tinent of ours, full of those things which . Japan required The possibility of an- ! other world war arising over a tiny is- ; land like Yap, would be a disgrace to ; civilisation. There must be some other ‘ means of settling the question. We : must do our share in urging the ne- ' cessity of n satisfactory alliance between Britain and Japan, which shall i also be acceptable to America. He dc- ! dared it would save Australia millions j yearly.

Mll HUGHES’ CONSTITUENTS. (Received This Day at 9.45 a.m.. MELBOURNE, April 25. Mr Hughes addressing his constitu ents at Bendigo prior to his departure urged the seriousness of the economh position in Australia. The bottom wa: falling out- of the wool market, whirl was now selling below the cost of pro duction. Unless they could hold t( their reserve prices there was troubb ahead. Beef was also selling below cos of production. But for the Tact tha wheat had sold for high prices we woul< have had to face a. crisis before this The existing position was such that in amount of statesmanship or legislatioi could do anything to save it. The on essential at such a time was a stab! Government and their looking difficul ties fairly in the face. Whatever cool be done to prevent a collapse of th wool market Government would do. ! THE WOOL POLTTTON. ! i Bc"cived This Dnv at- 9.45 a m.l MELBOURNE. April 25. i Sir John Hoggins, chairman of Rav ra, has published a statement regarc ing the wool position. He declan i there IB Imminent' danger of a com piecollapse of the wool market and he i sues a stern warning against those wl urge the market should he allowed take its course, thus encouraging whol sale undercutting of prices. He nl declares that unrestricted romnetitu would render the current seasons’ cl valueless and lie counsels a com pie organisation of wool interests in ord , to make the, best of an unprecedent . bad situation. The statement conclud 1 that the responsibility for the thre i tened debacle must rest on the shoi l ders of those who fail to render assn i anc© to Australia’s most important p . jnury industry,

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