AUSTRALIAN.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 April 1922, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN.

\USTRALIAN AND N.Z. OAHLR A6SOUIAHOK

W. M. HUGHES AND LABOUR MELBOURNE, April 12

The split in the Labour ranks, combined with the simmering of discontent now evident among a section of the Nationalists at Air Hughes’s leadership, has led to a revival of the question amongst Labour members in the Federal Parliament whether or not It would be possible to inveigle Mr Hughes to again take command and rehabilitate tlie whole Labour movement.

A PLAGUE OF AIICE. SYDNEY, April 12,

There is a plague of mice in the Western Districts of New South AVales. Tlie latest reports state that it has become necessary for the members of families to take turns to act as sentries over the sleepers, in order to prevent them from being bitten by the pest, which is there in countless millions Having stripped the farms and the grazing lands, the mice are now invading the farmers’ homes. The haystacks are being fouled, and the fodder rendered valueless. The stench of the mice has made many of the homes almost uninhabitable. Although thousands are caught every night, there is no appreciable reduction in the plague noticeable.

N.S.W. LABOUR PARTY. SYDNEY April 17

An official statement has been issued by tlie Australian Labour Party regarding the expulsion of Air Catts, Federal AI.H.R, for Cook. It states that it has been due to his disintegrating tactics that Mr Catts have been expell by the Labour Party executive. His tactics had become intolerable, His membership in the party was no longer desirable,

N.S.AV. GOVERNOR. SYDNEY, April 12

The State Governor, speaking at the official bpeliing of the shdw, said that his term of office would expire in Alfircii next. He would iiot consider the ideki of any extensioil.

hughes And his ark. SYDNEY, April 12

Air Hughes, referring to the split in the Labour Party said: “I built an ark, and I invited them to come in,

but, as in the ease of Noah, all suggestibns and warnings have been disregarded. I concluded that they had rejected my advice of a coming flood, and so I will now let them swim.” He added: At present he was not prepared to give his views on the position of the Labour Alovement. The Labour officials in Sydney think it is extremely unlikely that Mr Hughes will join the new Labour Party, as they consider he would not work with Air Catts because of the latter’s attitude towards conscription.