AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 October 1923, Page 1

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

ICSIItAMAN AND N.Z. CAIII.K AHHOCIATION REDUCTION IN FR.EIGHTis. SYDNEY, October ti. The I’atrivk Steamship Coy.. announces a reduction of ten per o-nt on all cargo freights between Sydney, Melhourtie and Adelaide, eon) mcncing on ihp Bth. NATIONALIST PARTY’S CONFERENCE. SYDNEY. Oeiober 0. Air Ley addressed the Nationalist Party Conference in vindication of his action, including Hie provision for a referendum in I'J2B on the Liquor Rill at present before Parliament. The Conference disagreed with the pnn i.-ioti and adopted a resolution that a referendum be bold in 192 G.

The Con fere nee also carried a resolution in favour of the abolition of proportional representation and the substitution of a piefcrontial voting system. based on three State members for a constituency corresponding to otic Federal constituency. SYDNEY’S DEATH RATE. SYDNEY, October G. Doctor Purdy. City Health Officer, states that, the death rate in the metropolitan area last, year was 8.16 per thousand, tho lowest ever attained, by an.v city with a population of over half a million. A RAD DROUGHT. BRISBANE, Oct. 7. As a result of n drought which is stated to he worse than that of 1902 it is estimated the wheat crops will yield unlv live hundred thousand bushels. All tlm crops in the North Darling Downs arc only six inches high, mid are in car too short even for hay. The position is now acute, and the prospects of rain are still discouraging. LIQUOR POLL. Q U MENSI.AND’S VOTE. ' BRISBANE, Om. 7. The vote on the Liquor Question w::> taken yesterday. It passed oil’ quietly. When the voting ceased tor the night the figuers were ; For State Control Ujibo For Prohibition 105.19 G For Continuance 169.-iJS The figures show that there is little likelihood of Queensland going dry. only four electorates having prohibition majorities. S.S. LIMERICK CASE. SYDNEY. Oct. 9. In the claim over the ease ol the Limerick .Steamship Company, the case concluded on Friday. Ihe ea-.e had incurred costs exceeding the sum of £S(XX>. Tin- jury gave a verdict lor the jilaintill’s, awarding them damages totalling 619.-180. A stay of the proceedings has been granted. WIRELESS RECORD. SYDNEY*. October 6. A world’s wireless record is claimed for the achievement by Charles MeCluggan. of Straithlicld, who communicated with Bell, of Wialiemo, Sling Valley, using only .602) watts, which is merely a. ‘.ami! fraction of tlq. power require! lighting the tail lamp of a motor ear.

(DOCFE MYSTERY. SYDNEY, Oct. 7. The Crown has decided not lo proceed with ihc charge against Staiilsby. Tavlor. Riley and Ellen Kreigher. who were cited as accessories alter the fact in cornice I ion with the Coogee mystery. l)|ss(U.rriOX 1,1 K KT.Y. (Received this day at 11.2 d a.m. - ) MELBOURNE, Oct. S. thiing io dissatisfaction on Hie part of member* oi the Country Party, the latter will lie asked definitely on Tnesdav whet her they intend to support ihe Lawson Mini-try: otherwise a dissolution is likely. AUSTRALIAN All) TO JAPAN. MELBOURNE. Oct. G. Australia's subscriptions so tar R-r Japanese relief total £8(1.001. MEEBOERNE TRAGEDY. MEI.BOI RNE. Oct. G. Regarding the *oulll Melbourne double tiagcdy. ill which Mrs Eay .ii:d Mrs Dohcriy were 'lint dead with an aulimmtic p.istol .it is now believed that ihc calls.- of h"i' action was .i.ptlousv. Doherty, husband oi one victim, was arrested at first for having a gun in Ins possession. No details ol the case will be available till (lie inquest.