AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 May 1923, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. SCULLING CONTESTS. PERTH, May 7. The Inter-State Eights, rowed on the Swan River for the first tinio since 1906, resulted: South Australia, 1; West Australia, 2; Victoria, 3. After a hard fight South Australia won by half a length. Time 17.31. Sculling Championship: Bull (Now South Wales), 1 ; Bradley (Tasmania) 2; McGorm (Victoria) 3. Ladies Fours: South Australia, I; Tasmania. 2; Victoria, 3. These were the only starters. DOCTOR ANT) B.M.A. SYDNEY. May 7. The Full Court upheld the appeal of the British Medical Association against the verdict awarded to Doctor Thompson and entered a verdict for the defendant. (The plaintiff’s claim was in connection with the Farr lunacy proceedings). FLOUR DEALER. SYDNEY. May 7. The Flourmillors’ Association has increased the price of flour by ten shillings per ton. MINERS LOCKED OPT. SYDNEY. May 8. The coal position is unchanged. The men claim they arc locked out. The owners deny this and contend that the pits are open for tho men as soon as they choose to start, hut declare that the “red element” which has been responsible for the* frequent strikes of the past few years, must be got rid of. Tho Secretary of the Northern Coal Miners’ Association states that there are only about eighty reds among tho whole fifteen thousand employees. Tho Northern Fields Council of the Miners’ Federation meets on Monday next- to discuss future action. RATES IN AUSTRALIA. SYDNEY. May 8. Them is every indication that tinrain will extend throughout the State, definitely ending tho drought.. CLAIMS FOR DAMAGES. SYDNEY. May S. J. Earle Hermann, company promoter. has issued writs claiming Clt).(UK) damages from the “Daily Mail" newspaper and £|f!,Of!!) from Henry Hunter, publisher of the “Daily Mail" for alleged libel.

FRENCH STEAMER SERVICE. (Received this dav at. 9.15 a.m.) SYDNEY, May 9. Tim Messagcries Maritime Company has so reorganised the Australian and Pacific service, that in the future vessels coming to Australia will net extend their voyages to Noumea, while the new service from France to New Caledonia will he carried on via Panama. Canal, the vessels calling at Papeete, Wellington, and Westport. Tho first vessel of the new service, the Klkantara, sailed from Dunkirk on the 22nd of April, and a steamer will sail every six weeks lrom Dunkirk which will replace the former service to Australian ports. NEW HEBRIDES. (Received this day at 11.15 a.m.) SYDNEY. May 8. Raymond Pogtiou. president of the New Caledonian Parliament in an interview said Britain should lorego her claims to Now Hebrides, as seventyfive per cent of the while inhabitants were French and also there was the same proportion of trade and property. Neither French or Biitish residents desired a continuance of the condominium. A majority of British lesideiits favoured French ownership. Australian fears that .Japanese would overrun the place if the British withdraw were groundless as the climatic conditions' were unsuitable for Japanese. There were no Japanese there at present. though there was nothing rise io stop them. Not a single person, not even a condominium official, was in favour of tho present control.

LABOUR CAUCUS. ’ SYDNEY, .May 9. Both factions for a Labour caucus met under acting-Lendcr Dunn in accordance with the direction ol the Federal executive. Both Donley and McCiirr were absent. The meeting was uneventful, only formal business being transacted. WELCOME RAIN. SYDNEY. May 0. Light to moderate rains are reported from” all parts of the State, with the exception of a part ol the North Const. Rain is also recorded in Victoria. Tasmania. and the Southern portion of South Australia. IRISH ENVOYS. MELBOURNE. 9. The Acting Minister of Home Territories has announced that nuclei tho provisions of tho Immigration .Vet. a Board of three has been appointed, to which the Irish Envoys have been summoned to show cause why they should not ho deported, because they advocated the overthrow by force or violence of the Government of the Irish f-Yee State. The hearing is expected to take place within three days. COAL MIXES TROUBLE. SYDNEY, A lay 9. There is every indication that the coalowners are fully determined to end the reign of the disturbing red element. It is understood the question of introducing voluntary labour will ho discussed at their next meeting. Ihe adoption of tho proposal would invoke a general miners' strike. The trouble so far is mostly confined to the -Maitland field but the position is now complicated bv a strike at South Clifton collicrv. The South Coast field has seven hundred idled. The cause of the trouble is payment for splitting pillar coal. A CENTENARY. SYDNEY, May 9. The Centenary celebration of the Bevel. John Dunniore Lang was attended bv members of the Ministry anil leading citizens. His statue in \Yynvard Square was decorated. Inspiring addresses were delivered upon La»" s great work as a statesman and A 1 mister ill laying the foundations oi tlic Australian Nationality.