AUSTRALIAN.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 November 1921, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CAULE ASSOC!AT]'"' BRITAIN AND AUSTRALIA. MELBOURNE, Nov. 27. In connection with to-day s cable from London, when the Air Service Defence Estimates were before the federal House, Mr Hughes opposed a I»’"jMisal to reduce the vote by £2OO,(KK). He said the Imperial Government had offered as a free gift, sufficient airships for an experimental service. Britain would contribute £400,(KIO and Australia £2(K)/XX) ycai-Jv under the scheme, which would bring Australia within eight or nine days of Europe. It was a matter of omumsiis importance to Australia. Regarded simply as an advertisement, he asserted, it would he the cheapest one they eotfld get. He suggested that a hundred thousand pounds, whereby the Government would be prepared to reduce the vote, might |,e devoted to an airships scheme. They would never have such another opportunity of getting airships suitable lor experiments. The Labour members opposed Mr Hughes’b proposal. They declared tlieii intention was otie for reducing the defence estimates as much as possible. Tho amendment to reduce the vote by £200,000 was negatived. The Minister moved a motion to reduce the vote by £IOO.OOO, which was carried.

A TEST CASE. (Reeeived This Day at 9.40 a.m.) ) SYDNEY, Nov. 2t> In a test case, the ITifsli Court in upsetting tie decision of the Supreme Court, ruled that the amended provisions of the Workmen’s Com pen sit- ■ tion Act were retrospective, so far as the original act were comcerned. The I decision is one of far-reaching importance. EEDHRAIi POLITICS. (Received This Dav at 9.40 a.i11.) MEEIiOXmNE, Nov. 20. In thu House of Representatives the Minister of Defence smted the cutting down of the defence estimates, as part of the necessary retrenchment, woura result in the dismissal of four handled

liK-n, :ill returned soldiers. oi' ltarl p., u e sought to move for a reduction of salaries of members of the House and Senate by twenty per cent, but was blocked i>v a technical ruling. Mr Hughes promised a ebance to discuss (be matter Intel'.