AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 September 1923, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. N.S.W. POLITICS. SYDNEY, Aug. 15. The New South Wales Parliamentary session opened last week with much pomp and ceremony. The now leader of the Opposition (Mr Lang)', who in exercise of the privilege of that office, has been unmercifully pelting Sir George Fuller and his colleagues,' is as unlike his predecessor (Mr Dooley) ns chalk is different from cheese. Where Mr Dooley was lamb-like, Mr Lang is a raging lion. One of the gallery writers, in a word picture of Mr Lang in the midst of his censure motion, said he was reminiscent of a badtempered old gentleman in a mortuary. He pounded the baize, he stamped on the floor, he shook the water jugs on the benches into tidal waves, and shouted in tones which made the curls vibrate on the Speaker’s wig. It is a good impressionist sketch of the new Opposition leader at his best, so it can' he seen that the Government is in for a fairly warm time, especially as Col. Bnixncr’s progressive wing of the Government arc also inclined to he critical. Col. Bruxi'.er says he will get one of his party to move an amendment to the Address-in-Reply, testing the feeling of the House, if the Government can prove that he is wrong in his assertion that the wheat growers have not received the compensation due to them. This threat, if given effect to, has in it. the elements of a crisis and possibly n dissolution. While it is not likely that the Progressives will vote with the Labour party on the present censure motion, the Labour party would probably fall in behind the Progressives in any straight-out attack on the Government.

AN ABORIGINAL QUEEN

SYDNEY, August 23

The Australian aborigines are 'fast dying out, but there is evidence in some quarters at least, of solicitude for them in their last days. lie town of Kiama. when it celebrated ts hundredth birthday 20 years ago, counted among its honoured guests all •the natives' 'within reach. Among them at the fraternal hoard, sat two aboriginal kings. King. “Billy” of Jervis Bay, and the late King “Micky,” who went to his long sleep fifteen., years ago. King “Micky” in particular did his best to look his august part at the town’s jamboree. He wore a hi roe sash across his frayed and I altered frock-coat, a rosette in his buttonhole, and a white top hat, much tire worse for wear, at a rakish angle. Many presented themselves to him, to do him honour, and to replenish Uc Royal tobacco pouch. The partner of his joys and sorrows still lives. She is over 80 years of age, and Kiama is seeing to it that the last few miles left to her long life’s journey arc made comfortable, the residents of die town having erected for her a little house which will ho her castle and sanctuary until she closes behind her the gateway of life and joins King Michael of reveled memory.

Fifty years ago the full-blooded aboriginals in New South Wales numbered over 20,000. To-day they have dwindled to less than 1000. To care tor ttc backs and to make them industrially useful is a debt the community owes, for the white man has unquestionably played no small part in decimating ■their ranks’. Many of the younger blacks are now good bush workcis, while the handiwork of the aboriginal girls, under the guidance of teachers, is a revelation.

C0M.510 N W EALTH S HIPPINO. AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CAlil.K ASSOCIATION MELBOURNE, Aug. 31. The personnel of the Board ot Control of tlio Commonwealth Shipping is announced. Mr Larking is Chairman, at a salary of £3500, with Rear-Admir-al Clarkson and Mr Robert Farqunar £3OOO each. -Mr Farquhar’s appointment terminates in nine months.

MAHKNO SAILS. SYDNEY, Aug. 31. The steamer Maheno sailed for New Zealand to-night at 7 o’clock. She had a full non-union crew, who are being paid award rates of wages. They will he returned to Sydney by one of the Union Company’s other steamers. ROY LEAPS TO DEATH. SYDNEY, Aug. 31 Another tragedy has been added to the long list associated with “the Gap,” at South Head. Early this morning, a girl aroused the light-house keeper, and stated that her companion, a hoy named Ronald Kentwcll, aged 1(5, had jumped over the cliffs. She told a story that they were friends, and after their attending a theatre, the hoy declared that he was so troubled because he had been dismissed from his employment that ho intended to throw himself over The Gap. She accompanied him, trying to dissuade him from his purpose. They spoilt several hours in the vicinity of the cliffs, the hoy repeatedly trying to throw himself over. Finally, the girl became so exhausted by her struggles, and Kentwell broke away from her. He then jumped down the cliff". The l*>dy was recovered in the sea.

“AUSTRALIA’S” FAT!

MELBOURNE, Aug. 31. It is officially denied that the warship “Australia” is to he broken up. Her fate has not vet been decided.