AUSTRALIAN.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 December 1921, Page 1

AUSTRALIAN.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.2. CABLE ASSOCIATION. HEAVY RAINS. BRISBANE, Dei-. 29. T lie Monsoonal disturbance is responsible for heavy rain over most parts of Queensland. SYDNEY, Dec. ‘29 The North Const is deluded by rain, ; “DO points falling at Kyogle. The Richmond River is rising at the rate of 5$ | inches nn hour. Heavy Hoods are | threatened. FEDERAL POLITICS. SYDNEY, Dec. 29. An article in the "Herald” calls attention to a costly item in Federal economy, which reduces the air force to ; inefficiency. Only five squadrons of the ' seven planned as the minimum remain, as the result of the reduction of C 100,000 in air force vote. Instead of eighteen machines per squadron, there are now only four, and the whole force lis reduced from ninety to nineteen olli cers, and men reduced from 138,791 to •18,252. ATHLETIC UNION. •SYDNEY. Dec. 29. The ".Telegraph” suggests that the Athletic alliance between Australia and Now Zealand is threatened. A conference in Adelaide' will consider New Zealand's grievance which is that she is compelled to pay many more visits ■ to Australia than arc returned. A Victorian proposal is mooted to drop New Zealand from the Australian Fnion, as ihe dissection of the Dominion into provinces places the Australian States at a disadvantage, the suggestion being, that the provinces should enter separate teams, instead of one team, representing the whole Dominion. In the event of New Zealand dropping out, it is suggested that an invitation be extended to New Zealand to participate in ebampionship nu*etings. provided the destination of Australian honours, are i not affected thereby. New Zealand’s separate representation at the Olympic (James is interpreted in some quarter* as a desire to shake off the Australian lies. SIR ROBERT STOUT. SYDNEY, Dec. 29. Sir R. Stout will sail for New Zealand on Friday. ITe retains pleasant memories of the Privy Council, and was struck with tile democratic simplicity of the indicia! committee, and contrasted it with the ostentation and display generally imagined. The judges, without robes and in ordinary street attire, are seated round the table in a big libra rv room. No policemen or officers in uniform are about. The simplicity is in keeping with the procedure, which

was the simplest in tin* world. He believes it will he some time before the spirit of pence and brotherhood will be manifested in Ireland. Tie regrets some arrangement was not affected in Gladstone’s day, but at the same time it is not right to say l ister should he forced out of the Union. POOL SYSTEM KAILS. SYDNEY. Dee. 20. Hon Mr Dunn (Agriculture and Trade Minister) stales dm Now South Wales Government are fined vitlia heavy loss on the last wheat pool, piohably in the vicinity of sixpence pel , bushel. which will amount approximately to £1.350,001).