AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 July 1923, Page 1

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

SYDNEY’S TRAFFIC PROBLEM. SYDNEY, July 11. The comfortable and convenient transport of the enormous flow of traffic into and out of tho city every day is one of the problems with which Sydney is faced. Flying has not reached that stage at which it can supplement flic existing means of transport, and thus relieve the congestion in the streets, so it is proposed to drive huge tunnels and put most-of the tram traffic in the city underground. This is tho proposal, supplementary to the city railway, which is before the Railway Commissioners. There will be two tunnels finding tlieir outlet at Circular quay. This work will follow the construction and electrification of the underground railway. Thus in the city proper, before very many years, Sydney’s railways and tramways will dropout of sight and whirl people about below the earth’s surface. The estimated cost in 1915 of the underground tramways, apart from the cost of land resumptions, was £2,000,000, but- the bill now will probably be a hit more pelicanlike in its proportions. But Sydney will willingly face a long bill, if it will bring with it. more comfortable transport.

N.S.W. POLITICS. SYDNEY, July II

With the early approach of the Parliamentary session, the New South Wales Parliamentary Labour Party will shortly bo looking round for a. leader. For this honour, which, judging from past events, is likely to bring to the wearer of the crown more bricks than bouquets, Mr Tom Mnii-h, Minister for Education in tho Storey ami Dooley Governments, lias been mentioned. Mr Mutch who is only a young man, with a young man’s ambitions, is not, however, looking for trouble, for lie ha- announced that he does not intend to submit his name as a candidate for the po.si. It looks, on the face of it, like self-immolation of a high order; but while it is hard to scale the Olympian heights of Labour, it is harder still to slay thero and Mr .Mutch evidently prefers to be one of the rankers. Mr Dooley, the ex-loader, will probably not seek reelection, in which event it is regarded as almost certain that- the ex-Labour Treasurer (Mr Lang) will be asked to accept the burdens of leadership. The names of Air Dunn, the present deputy-leader, and Air Baddelev, one of tho big men among the coal miners, aro also mentioned as likely candidates. Assuming that the post carries with it the right of succession to (he Premiership, in the event of Labour’s success at the polls next time, Mr Gang looks to he the best fitted of this little bunch for the job. He made a good Treasurer, lie has the physique and the temperament to stand plenty of wear and tear, and he is held in esteem outside the Labour fold as well as within it. His striking resemblance, b.v the way, to -Mi Sc-adchui, former Labour Premier ami Treasurer of Western Australia, has often been remarked upon.