AUSTRALIAN.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 April 1922, Page 1

AUSTRALIAN.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION

COUNTING THE VOTES. SYDNEY, April 1

The allotment of preference votes ; s proceeding in several electorates. There is ho change in the party positions. Mr Simon Hickey, who briefly occupied the Speaker’s chair on the resignation of Mr I .evy was defeated for Botany, at which electorate a new Labour candidate, W. Ratcliffe, topped the poll, heating Mr Mutch, .Minister of Education, and McKell, Minister of Justice. The last named just scraped home without the quota. Cami, Minister ot .Mines, was the fifth member elected for St George, also without the quota.

LABOR PARTY’S ACTION. SYDNEY, April 1

The Labour Party executive last night expelled Ratcliffe for refusing to obey tl’je executive’s injunction not to seek number one votes, but to act as a dummy for the other four Labour candidates. The other candidates similarly refusing to play the part of dummy are threatened with expulsion.

ross’s Appeal. SYDNEY, April 1. The hearing of an application in the fiigh Court for a new trial by Ross, has concluded. The decision is expected oh Monday. CATTLE MARKET. MELBOURNE, April 1. Mr Hughes conferred with the representatives of Queensland Cattle Council on the critical position of the meat industry. It is understood an outlet will be sought in Russia and other contimntal markets. WOOL SALES. ADELAIDE, April 1. A feature of the wool sales was advancement on prices ruling over tlie last series. Merinos and cross breds are fifteen per cent, higher than February sales. Yorkshire secured the largest proportion of the offering.

SHIPPING .MOVEM ENT. SYDNEY, April I

A new company lias been formed, called Manchester Consignment Limited,. with a capital of fifty thousand, to support the movement for direct shipments from Australasia to Manchester. Regular steamship services have been arranged from Manchester to Australia and New Zealand. The! statement is made that Mr Massey is an fait with the proposal, and intends to support- it, when the time is opportune, by not sending goods through London or Hull. Tt is estimated that cargo landed at Manchester will be £2 a ton cheaper on the average.

HTDES MARKET. MELBOURNE, April 1

The hides market has greatly improved. All weights, excepting heavy kips, are firm at a halfpenny advance. PLAGUE CASE. Received This Day at 8 a.m.) SYDNEY, April 1.

There is another case of plague at Woolloomoolloo. The patient is the mother of the last victim.

NO CHANGE IN ELECTION. SYDNEY, April 3. There is no change in the election position.

THE REASON WHY. (Received This Day at 8 a.m.) SYDNEY, April 2

The Executive of the Labour Party explains the defeat at the elections was due to the formation of labour groups in opposition to official labour, with the avowed object of securing a better typo of candidate, irrespective of party.

CHIEF JUSTICE. BRISBANE, April 2. Justice McOowley has been appointed Chief Justice. LATEST ELECTION FIGURES. SYDNEY, April 3. The latest election returns show definitely elected:—27 Coalitionists, 27 LaiUmtr, 4 Progressives. 1 Independent. Mr Levy was elected for Sydney.