AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 February 1925, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION

BEEF FREIGHTS REDUCED. SYDNEY, Feb. 25

Advice lias been received by the Overseas Shipping Representatives Association of a reduction by the British shipowners of freights on Australian beef, of one-eighth and one-sixteenth of a penny per lb. to British and .Mediterranean ports respectively.

AUSTRALIAN MENTAL DEFECTIVES. MELBOURNE, Feb. 25

Giving evidence before the Federal Health Commission, Professor Berry. Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Professor of Anatomy at Melbourne University, said mental deficiency was increasing in Australia as the result of the war, hut with icasonable assistance the deficients could he controlled. Tie added that by reason of the obsolete definition of insanity dating as far back as 1838. boys of 10. with the passions of an adult and the brains of a child of three, were allowed to mix with normal citizens in Victoria and were a grave danger to the community.

MFTII f) I) IST C<) X FER E NCE. , SDYNEY, Feb. 25

The Rev. Harold Wheel! has been elected President of the Methodist Conference.

STRIKE AMUSEMENTS. SYDNEY, February 25.

The Perdriau Rubber Work’s strikers are conducting their strike in a novel manner. They are bolding .swimming sports meetings by day. and dances and concerts by night. They state they will thoroughly enjoy the period of idleness.

OVER PRODUCTION OF SUGAR. BRISBANE. February 25. The over production of sugar in Queensland during the season just ended is estimated at one hundred thousand tons.

QUEENSLAND’S NEW PREMIER BRISBANE,. February 25.

Tho Labour Party has elected the lion. W. N. Gillies as Premier of Queensland in succession to Mr Theodore was has resigned. Mr Gillies previously was Minister of .-Agriculture.

MURDEROUS STABBING ATTACK. (Received this day at 11.25 a.m.) BRISBANE, February 20. While three men Mere walking through a cutting between Halifax and Mark mule at night, they wore set upon by a man with a knife who had evidently waited there. John Lawson received two seveic stabs in the back and is not expected to recover. William Harris received a deep stab in the chest and died .shortly after. The condition of the third man is at present unknown. Both injured men are en-gine-drivers. Tho att.uk is said to be lue to jealousy. David Ballinghall (anither engine driver) gave himself up to die police at Halifax soon after tho oe.urreucc.

QU HEX SI,AND PQ I.ITTCS. BRISBANE February 25. W. McCormack has been .selected as lepnly Lender of the State 1 arli-i----uentarv Labour Party.

Mr Brennan, who is Minister for ’iililic fiistrm lien, has been appointd Judge of the Supremo Court. Two iow Ministers, Wilson ami f\ Duntan. have been chosen.

REDEMPTION LOAN. SYDNEY. February 20

Final arrangements have been made for the Moating of a Commonwealth Doan to provide lor the redemption of securities of the States of Victoria, South Australia, Wixtralia and TasniiiniThe amount of Clio loan i.s £5.100,000 to be issued at ninety-nine with interest at six per tent, the period being live to ten years -according to •die subscriber's wish. SEA MEN'S THREAT. SYDNEY February 20. Serious threats are being made among

tile maritime uni ms in Sydney ol tactics which will be put into force t-i prevent the sale of the Australian Commonwealth line ol mail etcameis. Mr Jacob Johansen Assistant Secretary of the Sydney Branch of the Federated Seamen’s Union, stated that according to the rumours there is a

movement on loot "hereby il an attempt is made to sell the ships the whole hit of them will be declared black and thus it will be impossible for any new owners to trade with them in the future on the Australian const.

INTEREST IN AORANGT. SYDNEY. February £fi. Great interest is being displayed in the motor ship Amnngi and a largo number of engineers from all parts ~f Australia "ill inspect her oil her arrival at Sydney.

INFANTILE MORTALITY

MELBOURNE. February 20

Giving evidence before the Federal Health Commission, Doctor Springthorpe said that from 1918 to 1922 Australia lost by death 112.077 children under the age. of five. The Phinkot system in New Zealand had reduced a corresponding death rate to three per thousand. The Commonwealth infantile death rate was sixty-one ]ci thousand as compared with forty-one. in New Zealand. Victoria him the the highest infantile death rate.

THE ROWING DRAW. SYDNEY. Feb- 2t>.

Bv arrangement with the New /.<■'»- land Rowing Association, Mr Blow, the Government agent, drew lor positions in tho races on tbc blth. March <n the champion eights. The draw placed New Zealand third for the enampinn sculls, and placed St. Clair first.