AUSTRALIAN.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 July 1921, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN.

VARIOUS CABLED ITEMS

IUSTRALIAN AI?D N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. EDUCATION COMMISSION. SYDNEY, July 12. Mr Mutch, Minister of Education, defending New South Wales’ schools against the criticism of Sir C. Wittenoom, of Port!), stated that New South Wales provided opportunities for the poorest child to continue its studies right tli rough t« the University, provided ho or she possessed sufficient brains.

COAL TRIBUNAL. SYDNEY, July 12. In view of soma' meetings of miners criticising the Coal Tribunal’s activities and suggesting direct action, Mi Hobble (chairman), declared that the position was intolerable, and lie refused to continue unless some assurance were given that hotter counsels would prevail. SHEEP MAROONED BY FLOODS. SYDNEY, July 12. A flock of 1000 sheep marooned by floods on a. ridge of dry ground, was threatened with starvation till the services of Captain Love, an airman,, wore requisitioned. The airmail will load his machine with corn, and convey three hags hourly to the sheep. The ridge embraces five acres of grass which was oaten hare for weeks. The water is extending four miles on all sides.

RETURNED SOLDIERS STARVING. MELBOURNE, July 12 A deputation of returned soldiers asked Sir J. Cook for employment, stating that they were starving. Sir J. Cook replied that whilst the Government "undertook to find employment for returned soldiers, it was for a period only, nohctill their death. He had already spent £100,000,000 on the soldiers, and the question was now one tor the State Governments. >i CHILDREN BURNED TO DEATH. ADELAIDE, July 12. Three girls and one boy, their ages ranging from three to six years, have ' been burned to death at Denmark ITos- 1 pital. The children occupied a tent, which was set on fire by a candle, left burning during a nurse’s absence. J NEW AERIAL SERVICES. MELBOURNE, July 12 ' Senator Pearce has announced that the Federal Government, is calling tenders for aerial services between Sydney and Adelaide, and Sydney and Brisbane. LATEST EXCHANGE RATES. LONDON, July 12 The latest foreign exchange rates are: On Paris 40.85 francs to £; on Stockholm, 17.09 kroner; on Christiania, 20.57 kroner; on Copenhagen, 22.53; oil Berlin, 284 marks; on Calcutta, 15J pence to the rupee; on Yokohama, 30j yen; on Hongkong, 31} yen; on Montreal, 4 dollars 10 cents; on New York, 3 dollars 03 cents. LOTTERY OPPOSED. (Received This Day at 10.15 a.m.) SYDNEY, July 13. The Presbytery of Sydney unanimously denounced the proposed State lottery as a humiliation and disgrace to the Mother State. ; A COMING FLIGHT. MELBOURNE. July 13.

Lieut. Briggs is contemplating r flight from Melbourne to New Zealand in a machine which has already flown twenty thousand miles. Briggs hopes to cover the flight in twelve hours. Later, he will essay a (light to Dunedin and Auckland in one day.

CARGO PILLAGING REPORT. MELBOURNE, July 13. Marfarlane, Pillaging Commissioner’s report, was tabled in the House of Representatives. It states cargo pillaged and shoitlnnded in 1920 was estimated at £386,000. The pillaging took place at every point from prior to shipment on the journey and to ultimate delivery from wharves. The Commissioner blames lax' supervision and the Unions which make no efforts to stamp out thieving. Ho advises imprisonment in lieu of fines for men convicted the latter to be allotted to work such as coal lumping, timber and wheat star' ing when released. He urges the employment of a higher class of men-for supervision instead of the present tally clerks or casuals, and suggests a conference of shipping, insurance, manufacturers and union representatives, to grapple with the. problem. COCKATOO ISLAND REPOR’I MELBOURNE. July 13. Cockatoo Island report tabled in the House of Representatives states there was no* evidence forthcoming respecting the improper use of stores from the dockyards. TARIFF DEBATE. (Received This Day at 10.15 a.m.) MELBOURNE, July 13 The Tariff Boaru debate was resumed. Mr Fenton moved an amendment that the Bill he recast to provide guarantees Hint the producer and consumer obtain ioeal goods at reasonable prices; also to secure proper wages and conditions for employees in protected industries. T' e (L bate was adjourned. N.S.W. FLOODS. (Received This Day at 12.25 p.m.) SYDNEY, July 13. Flood waters from the higher reaches are now coming down the western riv-

ers. Wide areas are flooded, and many residents are compelled to leave their homes. Water invaded several townships and cut off railway communication Walgctt is completely surrounded and some streets are awash. Embankment are being hurriedly erected. There is much damage and heavy josses to stock in the flooded districts