AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 May 1923, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. COAL TROUBLE. (Received this day at 12.45 p.m.) SYDNEY, May 17. The Council of the Coalminers Federation decided on disciplinary measures against members responsible for unauthorised strikes. Fines of five pounds sterling are to be imposed for the first offence with expulsion for the second. Lodges striking against instructions will be fined a pound per member, with expulsion for the second offence. LANG’S CENTENARY. (Received this dav at 11.45 a.m.) SYDNEY, Alav 17. The J’leshyterion Assembly has deckled to celebrate the centenary of John Dunmore Lang, by commemorative services and the publication of his life. ROBBERY DETAILS. MELBOURNE, Alav IC. Air Daniels states he motored one man from Spencer Street station, which he entered. While waiting, another man appeared and said ‘'Keep your engines goiilg, aiul when the man comes out, go for your life, or you will get your brains blown out.” The other man returned with a bag, jumped in and said, pointing a revolver at Daniels, “Go for your life.” After being driven a considerable distance tho man left the car, when lie then drove home. The Railway Commissioners are offering a reward of £SOO for the conviction of Hie robbers. THE NEW HEBRIDES. PREBYTERIAX ASS FAIRLY RESOLUTION. (Received this day at 11.10 a.m.) SYDNEY, Alay 17. Tbe Presbyterian Assembly passed a resolution of protest against the grave scandals in the New Hebrides under tlio condominium and decided to impress on the Commonwealth that the only real solution is that the group should pass under the Rritish Crown.

The Reverend R. '.McGowan said that while tlm British "ere observing their part of the agreement, there had been a constant disregard ol the terms of the Commission by the French. He contended. first, that three solutions wore patching up the agreement, but dual control was always unsatisfactory, secondly. that France would obtain control. but in view of the bad treatment h..’ the French tinder joint control, what ion Id he expected under sole control, thirdly, that control by the British, which, was desired by the natives, and to which tlm British wero entitled, in view of their war services rendered to France, and also on account ol the missionary work accomplished there.

The Rev. I). Paterson, twenty-one years a missionary in the New Hebrides said that there were six thousand Japanese in New Caledonia, and there were also some in the New Hebrides. He added that the drink traffic was responsible for the decrease in tlie native population.

Doctor Omni, a former missionary, said the French would not. allow tlio British to recruit labour from Fiji, but recruited them for themselves for Noumea. Bad as the condominium was, it was prelirrable to French control. ELECTED GRAND SIRE. SYDNEY. April 17. Curl Galsgow, prominent in howling and friendlv society circles in Sydney, was elected Grand Sire of the Oddlollows of Australasia.