AUSTRALIAN.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 December 1921, Page 1

AUSTRALIAN.

AUSTRALIAN ANI) N.Z. (JABLE ASSOCIATION. PETER K I'I.MP DBA I). SYDNEY, Dec. 1. The death is announced of Peter Kemp, ex-cluunpion world’s seuitcr. Though nearly 70 years ol age, he enjoyed good health till a few days ago, when 1,,, underwent an operation. UNIVERSITY SPIRIT. SYDNEY. Dec :t. Tile University Committee apjioiif u recently to inquire into the degeneration of the University spirit. reported it was ilue. among other causes, to t!'-■

cuorinous increase in the number • students, nicdiuin cNhiliitinn hursatv awards, drift during the war and crowding of the riilircula with a speeding .up of competitions and breeding of :• fear of failure. A number of refo-ms were suggested, chiefly in the directum of encouraging spoiling facilities.

FEDERAL POI.ITICS. M'-’I.PDI’I!\'E. Dec Mr (Iregory lias resigned the Drpu “ I .c.’dersltip of the (' unitrv l‘ r 1 ing to disagreement villi month r. ovci an agree nil lit the i;arlv ifiade with '.it II eglies, ri e■; ing t he. adjournment ■ f '••• 11,I 1 , ns ■o f Heps prior to Christiim : MOUNT MUI.BICAN DISASTER. BRISBANE. Dee. IB Mount Mulligan Commission reported that, the cause was the firing of an explosive in a top level of a block. The explosive was not placed in the shothold .and was carried and stored underground in a careless manner. There was no adequate safeguard to render dust innocuous; as required by the regulations.

ARBITRATION COURT’S DECISION MKI.BOURNK. Dec 3. The Commonwealth Arbitration Court has delivered its decision in connection with Ihc applications hv a number of Unions, including the G.i : Employes' Union, Australian Workers' Union, and federated F.nginedrivers, and Firemen's Association for sho-toi working hours. Th,. President in announcing t lie Court's refusal of the application =ai that the Court would not he justifi d in adding to the abnormal nnemplrvineiit by rdliii ing- the standard working hours. A reduction of hours from t- to II generally in Au*trnlii at Ge time, would lie a serious blow to the. industries gcn-vaßy. and particularly the workers.

If would a? impossible for • cs*rnli:i working 'll .ton's, t. conipete with imil l iiid. Canada, and t lie Cnnt ineni. win ■ wages were 'e- and hours longer, and tlic 'workers were anxious to nceej t piecework. 11 there was ever a tin -■ when the Australian standard hours • n the infi-rsts i i employees the gener.'i’ piihlir mu being reduced excepting it: special eases, it was the present. The President pointed out that the judgment did not prevent employers and employees from contracting in regard to the number of hours to he won; etl and thus prevent (lie industry from stopping, nor did the Judgment apply to seeeial eases.

X.S.W. WHEAT ENQUIRY. SYDNEY. Do,-cmher 2. The Royal Commission which is enquiring into the administration of the 1910-17 wheat crop, which lias lieen hung up for several monllis owing in the illness of Mr George (ieorgeson. one of the chief witnesses, has been resumed for the purpose of examining Georgesnii whose lost memory, according to the mcdcinl evidence, has been regained. Oenigosnn claimed that he was now capable of conducting his own business, Imt to practically every question asked regarding wheat, transactions, lie declared he ( .onld not remember. He i riuld remember that lie was engaged in the wheat fiVsiness. but no details. He said people came to bis bouse and said lie whs suspected of giving money to Ministers of the Crown. Imt though lie could not remember lie was quite satisfied lie was

as capable of giving money to Ministers as of committing murder: and as for giving money to politicians he was certsill lie would not be a party to giving the men sixpence which was not earned. No money passed through liis lingers wrongly. The Commission considered it useless to further question Georgesnii, and after examining doctors and other witnecsses upon the strength of whose affidavits tile Commission reopened, Mi Justice Bring in view of the fact that no expected new evidence was forthcoming adjourned the Comin ission.

While under examination by the wheat commissioner. Georgesnii is reported to have said that he paid the election expenses of Mr Caini (State Minister of Mini's! when he was a candidate for the Eederal l’a i liament. Mr Cnnn gives this statement an emphatic denial.

BUBONIC BLAGUE. SYDNEY. Dec 4. The Maritime authorities here have issued regulations against Iho possible spread of plague from Sydney. The passengers and crews of all outward and overseas vessels must be medically inspected. The loading of all cargo for overseas and interstate ports is also to lie officially supervised. SYDNEY BLAGUE DEATH. (Received This Day at. 8 a m.l SYDNEY. Dec 4. The first plague patient whose name is Muhcr, is dead. Sussex Street premises where lie was employed have been lln roughly overhauled. A lew more nils were caught, but nolle were infected with plague. A second in II developed ease lias been sent to the hospital from Sussex Street premises, a ennsidernble distance frun the first discovery. The authorities regard ibis as pr ■•■ of that infected rats are wider s' read than was thought. Steps are being taken for a strict enforcement of preen ill inns operating in Oil on. land and ol her states.