AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 June 1924, Page 4

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

ART CXIO NS

rEC IS CATION IN X.S. WALES. ! I SYDNEY, June 12. 1 If a man in Sydney bought all the art union tickets that are daily poked in front of him for a score of causes he would he in the poorhoiise. the public have cheerfully stood the business until recent revelations have made them a hit shv of some of these enterprise* which are boomed as the magic door to wealth. The Attorney-General has now announced regulations which promise to improve the position. The whole of the net proceeds of an art union, for instance, must under the new regulations he devoted to the object for .which it is promoted. If the whole of the

net proceeds is less than -10 per rent, of the gross proceeds, then in Midi eases dO per cent, of the gross pvoeceds must be handed over to the object, and the promoter and the committee must undertake, if called upon, to enter into a bond to comply with this condition. There are other equally far-reaching provisions. Even* person who buys a ticket, for instance, must he given an equal run for his money with other ticket holders. Those eondui ting art unions will have to or.tor into agreements for the proper conduct of these enterprises. Again it is mur' unlawful for persons under 17 years of age to sell or purchase tickets, or to take any part in art unions. It is a proviso, if it can be effectively observed, especially if it prevents youngsters front approaching all and sundry and waving in front of them tickets for the exercise of cVraniv. SEX CRIMES. SYDNEY, June 12. It is ionsidered highly probable that the Cabinet will he asked shortly to approve of a new system ol prison administration which will include surgical treatment for persons proved to he sexual perverts. A Bill has been dratted and while its contents have not yet been made known, it is admitted that some of the provisions which it is Imped will find their place on the Statute Book will lie drastic compared with existing conditions in the Slate. Big changes are foreshadowed in pri-

son administration and prison tieatnieiit generally. In the drnfiiug ol the Hill tlie assistance has been sought

of judges experienced in criminal law

ami of well-known brain specialists. 1 1 promises to be an entirely new and far-reaching measure. The public will

await with keen interest the pro. i.oiiiieeinent of the Government K pro-

posal- for dealing with sex crimes especially. They are on the increase, and the public are insistent in their demand for some other method ot treating this class of crime. Only a day or two ago tiie Court declined to interfere with the appeal of a man who had been ordered ten years’ penal servitude. and aEo the lash, lor a serious often: :*. The Chief Justice characterised the olfeneo as horrible and abominable, and persons who commit-

ted such crimes wore a danger not only to little children, hut also to the community. HORSING NEGLECTED. SYDNEY, June *2l. A Bill providing for the abolition of the State Housing Scheme and the Mousing Department lias been prepared by the Minister of Local Government mill will be introduced next session. X.SAY. SELECTION () LEST I ON. SYDNEY, June 22. At an Industrial Conference ut. the Trades Hall Air Beasley (President of tlie Labour Council) was in the chair. The Confluence rc-oived against the pro-selection of Labour Parliamentary cn miniates.

One delegate suggested that 1 hero should he enquiries made regarding the moral tharnett-i* of candidates, mid ho declared that, during a visit to Parliament House, he had seen Labour Members tumbling down the corridors drunk. The ( onference decided that inquiries should lie made concerning the character of candidates in relation to the l.nhniu* movement, but not- regarding their morn! ehnrneier.