AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 May 1923, Page 1

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL TEAM. SYDNEY, May IG. The New Zealand University football team landed in good trim for their match to-day against a strong metropolitan side. THE HICKSON MISSION. ’ SYDNEY, May IG. Crowds all day watch the arrival and departure of patients for Hickson’s mission at the Cathedral which is under strong police control. Jinny pathetic scenes and a number of cures are reported. SINGAPORE NAVAL BASE. MELBOURNE, May 16. It is stated that Colonel Eepington's suggestion that Sydney would be a desirable substitute for Singapore as a naval base is unlikely to be favourably considered ill expert or political circles. It is pointed out that it is not tiie custom to establish big bases in localities where a congested population may be endangered, and, secondly, Australia is not the only Dominion or colony to be served by the base. Singapore is much more suitable than Sydney for the protection, not only of Australia, but also the Indian Ocean routes, India itself, and South Africa.

It is argued that Japan is tlie only power that Australia might have cause to fear and that Singapore will always be a. menace to Japan’s flank should she make war on Australia.

DAMAGE BY FIRE. SYDNEY. May 15. A lire at Corbett’s Buildings, in the city, occupied by several linns, caused £IO.OOO damage. PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY. SYDNEY, May IC. The Rev. A. Tliaiit Anderson, the new M< delator of the Presbyterian Assembly. in his inaugural address, dealt with the church's responsibility in countering the spirit of modern unrest. The New Zealand delegation, including the Moderator, who had arrived to participate in the church’s centenary celebrations, received a hearty welcome. QUEE NS LAN D ELF. CTIO XS. BRISBANE. May 10. Until the final figures from the. several seats still in doubt are received, the actual strength of parties in tlie new House will not be known. SPENCER. STREET ROBBERS. MELBOURNE, May TO. Frederick Daniels, a motor driver, who is alleged to have driven the car in which the Spencer Street robbers escaped, has been arrested. He states that ho was compelled at the revolver’s point to drive them. FRANCE AND NEW HEBRIDES. A MISSIONARY’S VIEWS. SYDNEY, May 10. The Kev. Mr Gunn, a former missionary in the New Hebrides, in a lcttei to the newspaoprs, traverses the French claims made by Mr l’ognon (cabled .May it). Mr Gunn says the proposals arc unsatisfactory and unfair. The French have no settlers on the islands south of Vila, and it is questionable it they own as much land as they 'claim, lie states that the 'French do not i " n a square loot in Aneitvum, Futuna or Aniua. and some other’islands. Me declares that a majority of the natives in the northern islands would, if asked, prefer British ride. Mr Gunn publishes a letter received from the chiefs of Futuna, declaring that a French recruiting ship takes women for immoral purposes anti distributes liquor with a view of enticing the islanders. The ehiets plead that steps I o taken'to stop these practices.