AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 June 1923, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. ARTISTS’ SQUABBLE. SYDNEY, June 19. Selectors of pictures for the forthcoming London Exhibition of Australian art are being given an unenviable time. Tho press teems with letters condemning their selections in hulk and singly as not being truly representative of the best Australian art, and even suggesting that favouritism has been shown to some individuals. Some artists have withdrawn their pictures from the hands of tho committee. Others, as well as the Victorian artists as a body, threaten similar action.

CASK ABANDONED. SYDNEY. June 19. The Crown has abandoned it- case against Sylvester O'Reilly, who wa- arrested fin the sixth of October last, on a charge of murdering McLennan, whose hotly was found in Centennial Park four days previously. TRIAL OF KELLY. MELBOURNE, .rune It). The second trial of Kelly tor the murder of Mrs Overall has opened. The evidence is similar to that at the first trial. THE SHARK TRAGEDY. SYDNEY, June 19. No trace of the bodies oi the Bel--lain hi shark tragedy victims has been found. COAL DISPUTE. (Received this day at 11.10 a.m.) SYDNEY, June 20 The State Cabinet lias intervened in tho coal dispute ill .Maitland fields. It lias convened a conference of both sides for Friday. It is understood the Miners’ Federation are instituting proceedings against several colliery owners at .Maitland, for an alleged lock-out.

INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC. MELBOURNE, June 20. Voluntary nursing assistance is Ik>ing sought in consequence of an alarming percentage of nurses who ha vs fallen victims to influenza, at practically all the Metropolitan hospitals. FEDERAL POLITICS. .MELBOURNE. June i’ll In Ihe House of Representatives the censure motion was defeated by 97 to 34. Mr Austy (Deputy Leader) moved a further amendment demanding the foreign policy should lie formulated b,v the House, and opposing the closing of Parliament during Mr Bruce’s absence. Mr Bruce explained it was i fie wish of the Ministry, not himself, that Parliament should close while lie was in England. The debate was adjourned.

FEDERAL ENDEAVOUR. SYDNEY, June 20 Mr Cocks is again visiting Melbourne at the request of Mr Bruce to endeavour to adjust the difference ever the financial proposals between the Commonwealth and States. federal politics. MR BRUCE TWITTED. (Received this day at 12.45 p.m.) .MELBOURNE, June 20. In the House of Representatives, .Mr Anstev twitted Mr Bruce with not daring to leave the country with a section of his pm tv in charge "Idle liu was absent in England, lie said .Mr Bruce claimed that the international problems of Australia were subsidiary to and eauhl he solved only e.i-"-

the problems of the Kill; ire. .Ur Bruce was going overseas D> eonv>qt British people t > pirfei'enee, but the preference was only so much dope which would disappear at the first breath ol reality. The real question was the one of defence. Whether the penile of Australia moved a hand or not they could be certain that the navies and armies "mild move out to delenl the Imperial capital invested in the British possessions. It "as for Australia to defend herself, not only against the Beds, but against the moneyed power which sought to enmesh the peoples of the world and to extend the area of human misery He disclaimed against a policy of preparing for lurther wars. It was sought to intimidate the people and waste their substances in preparations for a or, instead of using it to build up industry. The duty oi Parliament. was to lay the economic foundations of defence and rebuild civilisation.

Mr Bruce, in reply, said the mason for adjourning .Parliament; was that Australia’s representative must go to the Imperial Conference fully accredited. With Parliament open, the leader of the Opposition would Lo making speeches, declaring that lie had not the confidence of the people. Regarding the Empire's foreign policy Ins only object was that if Australia was to share in defence, she should have a voice in the framing of the foreign policy of the Empire. As to defence without a proper defence scheme, Australia’s position was mist precarious. She had Baked her existence on a White Australia policy and it was a challenge to the world which they must- he prepared to maintain. As to the Imperial prel'erome proposal for Empire reciprocity, it was one which would benefit both sides.

SHIPPING MATTERS. SYDNEY. June 20 (‘upturn J. Scully of l nited Stales Shipping Board, has arrived at Sydney. He says lie is not surprised at tlrn C'nmuionweallii shipping not paying as well as anticipated as both in America and Canada, shipping control is attended by big losses. America is gradually reverting to private control. RAILWAY SMASH ENQUIRY. SYDNEY. June 20 The railway inquiry into the mountain smash on 20th May, iinds the train got out of control owing to lack of judgment and improper manipulation of the Westingbou.se brake by the driver, who had admitted lie did not carry out the regulations prescribed. What action will be taken following the finding is not yet determined. RETRENCHING TRAM EMPLOYEES. SYDNEY. June 20 Nearly three hundred tramway employees are being retrenched. It is Iwlieved this is due to the reintreduction of the forty-eight hour week, and competition of motor buses.