AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 May 1923, Page 1

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION ■AUSTRALIAN NAVY. (Received this day at 9.2-5 a.m.) SYDNEY, Alay 22. The Sydney “Alorning Herald” in a leader, while strongly supporting Singapore as against the suggested Sydney naval base, says it is up to Australia to build a naval base for its own Navy. Urging the need for maintaining a local navy, the “Herald” says that submarines alone cannot defend Australia or any island people dependent upon maritime trade. Such a defence would only invite a hostile licet to our waters. The value of the present Australian fleet is in a crisis a licet of lour cruisers which could provide a convoy lor merchant shipping on the Australian Coast, or across the Tasman Sea. A fixed local naval policy, with an arrangement between the Biitisli ancl Australian Governments for an interchange of ships fur foreign service, is a paramount duty, and the only clear wiiy out of the piesent- local difficulty. POTATOK CROP. HOBART’, Alay 21. A record crop is anticipated from thirty-eight thousand acres under potatoes which are expected to average at least three tons per acre, and are valued at a million sterling. DANGER OF ELECTRICITY. AIELBOURNE, Afav ,22. The City Engineer lias issued a warning in regard to the menace of electrolysis. He states a great (leal of damage has already been caused to water and gas mains by the escape of electricity. That, however, is a small matter compared with the serious effects it is having upon buildings, the steel liars, and girders whereof are being eaten through. If the leakages were not stopped, it was only a. matter of time when many buildings will crumble in ruins. The remedy would be for return wires to cany hack the direct current, but this ■is expensive, and meantime properties valued at hundreds of thousands are being ruined.

.MAILS STOLEN. (Received this dav at 11.45 a.m.) SYDNEY, Alay 22 The English mails, brought by Hie Kspet'ntice Bay, for Australia and Non Zealand were interfered with alter the steamer left Port Said. Six hags were stolen and the seventh ripped open, a number of registered articles being taken. A LINERS STOP WORK. (Received tipis day at 11.15 a.m.) NEWCASTLE, Alav 22. A contractor and twenty employees were endeavouring to remove a consignment of coal lying on the grass at Greta, when four hundred miners came round, jeering and hooting as the work proceeded. The miners hurled stones in lieu of epithets, thus compelling work to cease. Later another start was made by the eonLraclor who requisitioned tile local police, but the miners again threw stones thus forcing a stoppage for the day. The coni rnclor and his employers i limped in the colliery building tor (lie night. They hope to proceed 1111!] ibe wink to-day. IRISH ENVOYS. SYDNEY. Alay 21. The enquiry re the Irish Republican envoys, Father O’Fh.unagan and Air O’Kelly, is proceeding as the Board set ui> has decided t 1 has power to deal with the envoys (whose counsel contended British subjects could not 1 deported in the wav attempted. SYDNEY. Alay 21. The Beard of Inquiry regarding _lhe Irish Envoys has adjourned until A\ ed-le-'dnv next, to enable counsel for iho Envoys lo apply to the ifigh Court for an order nisi prohibiting the Board proceeding wiili the inquiry. The application was made to the High (Tiliii to-dny. and adjourned until Tuesday. MONUMENT UNVEILED. PORT DARWIN. Alay 21. Senator Pearce unveiled a monument erected bv the Government at Faunv Pay to commemorate the landing ol Sir Ro'ss-Smitil’s party alder their fight from England. A large gathering participated in the ceremonial.