AUSTRALIAN.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 December 1921, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. GUILTY OF ARSON. INVERCARGILL, Dec. 21. At the AVinton Alagistrate’s Court to-day, Harold James llilf pleaded guilty to five charges of arson ill connection with the recent epidemic of fires in the township, and was committed for sentence. LOCK-OUT OF IRON AVORKERS SYDNEY, Dee 21. It is estimated that as the result of dismissals of men, over 5000 iron workers will lie rendered idle after Friday next as, in addition to the Clyde works, several other works have now served notices oil their men. The leaders of tlie iron trade workers are of the opinion that the employers’ decision to close down the various works is a move to defeat tlie Federal Arbitration Award, which provides for payment for Christmas holidays. DOOLEY MINISTRY INSTALLED. SYDNEY, Dec. 21. Hon Air Dooley’s Ministry has been sworn in again. Tlie only change is that Mr Kavanagli, who had been Acting-Minister ol Labour, now takes complete control of that Department, and All' AlcOirr do votes Ills whole time to the administration of the Health and Alotherhood Departments. The Assembly sat for an hour. Afr Bagnall stated that in future lie would judge the Government’s merits by its legislative proposals, but be would not accept nomination for the Speakership in the event of Air Levy again resigning.

Air Dooley, the Premier in reply to Sir John Fuller who asked what business tlie Government proposed to bring forward, said that lie would endeavour to make statement on Thursday

He added that the Government agreed with Sir J. Fuller that a general election should be held ns soon as practicable. The Coalition agreement provides for the maintenance of the separate entity of both party organisations and also the allotment of five portfolios to the Progressives.

It is provided that if tlie Coalitionists are returned to power, a policy of decentralisation is to occupy a foremost place, on tlie Government platform. Tlie term of the Coalitions is for Hie life of the forthcoming Parliament. N.S.W. POLITICS. .'Reroivod This Day at 11.30 a.m.) SYDNEY. Dec. 22. The Progressive Council and Party had a conference lasting till a late 1 1 ,iilr. It was decided to relor ina'tcrs in dispute to ihe Parliamentary Party which is now evenly divided, seven in each section. Mr Perdrinn has resigned from tin- Progressive Party and stated he will form the nucleus of a genuine Country Party, not controlled by city men sueh as the Progressive Party. It is understood Air Levy v 111 remain Speaker until, the National Party otherwise directs.

FEDERAL ELECTORATES. SYDNEY. IVe. 22. The ('iininiission arranging the redistribution *d Federal electorates, recommends three new city i->>nstit lieu yes. milking a total of lifieen country and thirteen city. Nepean and Barrier will disappear. There is wholesale remodelling in practically every scat. Melbourne is a complete reshuffle. FEDERAL '• * “1 NET. SYDNEY. Dee. 22. The Federal .Ministry is announced. Wise. Laird. Smith am! Ilmrell are itrop'.ed. and Bruce, l.amonri. I'ti.iii and Marks appointed, the last named iK un 'er-'ceietary assisting Mr Hughes, with no seal ill Cabinet meetings. 'Hie folio ring is the rea-rang-. d ' abii.yf Mr Hughes, Prime Minister and External Affairs: Mr Pearce. Hume Affairs and Territories; Dir Milieu. Eciiatriatj.>n ;Mr Grooine, Attorney General ; -Ml Greene. Defence; Mr Bruce. Treasurer: Mr Foster. Works and Railways; Mr Rvric, Assistant Minister ol Dctence; Mi Lainond. Assistant fur Repatriation: Mr Earle, Yivc-Presidcnt of Executive Council. The reshuffling has occasioned much surprise. A PROFESSOR’S VIEWS. Received This Day at 12.25 p.m.) ADELAIDE, Dee. 22. Kerr Grant, professor of physics at Adelaide University, says the production of synthetic gold from base metals is a scientific impossibility, outside iof the realm of practical physics. He : added that Professor Irving Fisher from whom the cabled report emanated. is not known as an authority on physical science.