AUSTRALIAN.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 July 1922, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN.

A USTIIAI JAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION

AUSTRALIAN TROUBLE.

SYDNEY, July 26. Before the Coal Tribunal the representative of the Southern proprietors i mummed that the hitter had met during the morning and decided to apply to the High Court for an injunction to restrain the Tribunal from dealing with the South Const disputes; therefore lie : sked for an adjournment. The men’s representatives emphatically protested, stating it was a deliberate attempt to hinder the work of Hie Tribunal, and that the miners would regard it as a direct declaration of war. The chairman, Mr Hibblo, in refusing the application, accused the proprietors of having idterior motives in making the applications, and after making heated remarks had been pass cd, ordered them to leave the room. Speaking at the annual meeting of the Chamber of Commerce, the President advocated a 60-hours working week until normal conditions are restored.

ANOTHER PROSECUTION. SYDNEY, July 2(5

The cases have commenced wherein Mr George Backhand, Secretary of the Central Branch of the Australian Workers’ Union, Mr H. E. Boote, editor of the Australian “Worker,” and Mr Harry Smith, an employee of the “Worker” newspaper, arc charged on the information of the Graziers’ Union with inciting memhers of the Australian Workers’ Union to refuse to accept work under the terms of an award

TALE OF THE ISLANDS. ''Received this day at 9.50 a.m.) SYDNEY. July 27. Captain Pittrivers, lecturing before the University Science Society, gave an interesting account of his investigations in the Island of Ana, Bismarck Archipelago. The inhabitants were light hrown skinned, straight or curly haired, of pronounced Malayan type-, and quite distinct from all other peoples of other islands of New Guinea Archipelago. Many peculiar, tribal customs were observed. The religion of the Auans consists of a worship of spirits of paulas, or head chiefs, none of whom remain, the lafct having died in 190(>. Now only minor chiefs are

called Paulas. The spirits of the Paulas, however, remain as ruling spirits. These spirits are invoked at a feast where food is dedicated to them as placatory offerings. In 1900 two Germans, Matthies and Rcimers, estaolishcd a trading station on the island. The Allans resented this and during the absence of Matthies killed Reiiner, and threw his body into the sea. Matthies inter returned with a dumber of armed islanders, upon which the inhabitants of the district which had made war against the Germans sailed away in big war canoes. A storm arose and destroyed most of the canoes, eight hundred islanders perishing. After the tragedy the islanders became reconciled to Matthies. who married the las' Paula’s daughter. For the last eighteen years .Matthies lived like a native eh jet oil the best terms with his people.

SHEARING DISPUTE. SYDNEY, July 20

The Secretary of the Graziers’ Association reports that shearing is now proceeding with little inconvenience or delay. Many sheds started full handed at award rates.

N.S.W STATE ORCHESTRA. SYDNEY. July 26. The directors of the State Orchestra Guarantee Fund. Limited, have recommended to shareholders that the company be voluntarily wound up. CHEQUE BETS. SYDNEY, July 26. As a result of the recent betting cases against bookmakers, a Bill bos been introduced in the Victorian Legislative Council for removing, the right to sue for the recovery of money raid by cheque in settlement of bets. COST OF LIVING. MELBOURNE. July 26. Compared with the three proceeding months, the average cost of food, groceries, and house rent showed ;| n increase during the three months ended on Jaiiuaiy 30th last, of 2.8 per cent, for the six capital cities of the Commonwealth. AGAINST KAISER BILL. BERLIN. July 25. The ex-Kaiser and the widow of Dr Boettieiier, former German Home Secretary. are seeking an injunction forbidding the performances of the new drama dealing with Bismarck, in which the ex-Kaiser and Boettieiier are represented as unsavoury characters. N.S.W. POLITICS. SYDNEY. July 26. The election committee of the legislative Assembly upheld an appoi 1 by -Mr Clark against the return of Ashford, ex-Minister, for Wniiimerawn, and unseated Mr Ashford, putting Air Clark in his place. HARBOR BRIDGE. (Received this day at 11.30 a.m.) SYDNEY’, July 27. The date for closing tenders for .Aduev harbour bridge have been extended till Sept 1923. WRIT FOR LIBEL. SYDNEY. July 27 A doctor lias issued a writ tor .C 20.000 against Smith’s Weeklv for a libel.

TUI*EAT TO HESTON. SYDNEY. Tulv 27. I , In con s f ■(; ucnrc of t! ic City Conni'il , ( refusing to accept the Cord Mayor's | minute recommending tlie dismissal of | tlie city surveyor, Mr Melhone lineal- , , ens to resign. i ( COST OF LTVTNO. i , SYDNEY, July .’7 : , Federal figures show tlie cost of food : and" groceries in Sydney for the quarter ended June, compared with the pie- : vions quarter, decreased 12.7 per cent, j Kents increased 4.0. POLITICS. i SYDNEY, July 27. I , Tn the Assembly, a hill amending the | law of evidence permitting a husband and wife to narrate a communication which passed between them, if do-i sired, and preventing advocates at-' tacking witnesses when testing their . credibility, was read a first time. [ A bill to abolish the forty-four hour v-ook was introduced by 43 to 31. Mr ■ Havin explained that the intention was | to revert to the 1010 Act. giving power to the Arbitration Court to fix the number of hours according to the mer- _ its of the case. K VT CAMPAIGN. , BRISBANE. July 27. Owing to the rapidity with which rats multiply, the campaign of extermination i« to be vigorously continued, Over 131,000 were destroyed in the recent rnmnaian,

federal politics. 'MELBOURNE, July 27. In the House of Representatives, Mr Groom moved the approval of a scheme of redistribution of seats in New South Wales. He explained that in the terms of the census figures, the seats allotted to each State were as follows: —New South Whies 28, Victoria 20, Queensland iO, South Australia 7-. Westralian and Tasmania <5 each. Mr Hughe., moving the ratification ol i.v_. Washington Treaty, stated almost irresistible forces were pushing Japan into the Pacific, and the equilibrium had to be assured to avoid the danger of a struggle. The Treaty assured it for ten years. The debate was adjourned, RAIN DAMAGE. SYDNEY, July 27. Nearly seven inches of rain fell in Sydney during the storm. Tn some other districts it was much heavier. Floods and wnshnways caused railway delays, with considerable damage. There were stock losses in the country. Two men were drowned in an attempt to cross Hooded creeks. TASMANIAN POLITICS, i HOBART, July 27. Mr Blvth’s want of confidence motion will probably be defeated. The Labour Party is not likely to support it. COM II ON WEALTH BANK. MFLI'OCiINE. July 2.. The foundation has been laid ol the new Commonwealth Bank promises, costing *C207,0(!0. Started ten yearago, wit!i a treasury advance of IioOOO sterling, its savings hank balances mr„ total million.