AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 13 November 1925, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

[Australia & N.Z. Cable Association. l SUIT FOR LARGE SUM. MELBOURNE. Nov. 12. The High Court gave judgment for the defendants in the skin wool case (cabled on -March 210th) and involving a large sum.

RAID ON LABOUR PAPER. POLICE VERSION. SYDNEY, Nov. 12. Concerning the raid on the "Labour Daily” newspaper office, sonic significance is attached to the fuel Hull no detnotiiors were found on the premises. It is pointed out that nobody with any knowledge of explosives would he foolish enough to (r.v to explode gelignite without the usual percussion cap, in the absence of which it can he burned without danger.

Tlio report of Sergeant- Sliceliy. wlm is in charge of the night patrol, stales that at the time of the ocenneme there were a tuuiiher of employees in the building, most of whom saw the alfair, but no one went to the assistance of the editor, although .Mr Rodgers. the night soh-editor, states that he attempted to do so, lint was prevented hy another employee. Sergeant Slieehy adds: “(t does not appear to me that there was any intention to damage or injure anyone. It is (piite evident that the lose was faked liefore being connected with the gelignite, thus making it inedeetive.

EXTENSIVE It A IN. SYDNEY. November Id. Extensive rain has greatly henefitod the wheat belt and further falls are expected.

WHERE WORKERS DIFFER. SYDNEY, Xovemher Id.

The Workers’ Industrial Enion sent an ultimatum to the colliery mechanics Association to join up with a big union to control the coal mining industry employees, before January next. The mechanics tleeided to retain the entiti of their own association, and declined to he absorbed hy the miners’ union. It is expected that clash between the two unions will lead to serious trouble in the mining industry.

SWIMMING INVITATION. SYDNEY, November Id

The New South Wales I.allies’ Amateur Swimming Association decided to invite two New Zealand lady swimmers to participate in the Australian championships early next year. Ena Stock]v nnd Piri Page will most likely he invited.

FEDERAL ELECTION SENSATION SYDNEY. Nov. Id.

One of the sensations of the election campaign will he the publication hy the Labour Daily newspaper of a letter purporting to come from the headquarters of the British Fascist movement, addressed to Captain Hatcher, organiser of the movement in Australia" signed A. Kirby Hewlett, organising Secretary for the British Pascists. The letter referred to the election and stated our present Chancellor of the ex-Chcquer. Mr Auste Chamberlain, said that were Labour returned it would he necessary in tile interests of the nation to suspend constitutional government, and forcibly prevent it from assuming office. Mr Bruce, in describing the letter as an impudent and malicious forgery, said that apart from the impossibility of such a statesman as Air Chamberlain using such absurd language, pointed out that Air Austin Chamberlain was not the Chancellor of the Exchequer and said that if the letter had been written in London, as alleged such a mistake would not be made j |,v the writer. Apart from this Mr j Bruce hits secured a sworn statement from Hatcher, to whom the letter is alleged to have been written that he lias never received such a communication, nor had he ever written to the British Fascists inviting or requiring a reply in such terms and that he had never been in communication wit! anyone named Hewlett. The Premier said Hatcher added that in response to a cable sent by him to Scotland Yard and the British Easeisti officials lie has received replies stating Hewlett resigned from the movement in July last and had stated he never had communicated with Australia. Iho President of the British movement, General Blnkeney and the Vice-Presi-dent, Admiral Armstrong, both domed such a letter was ever sent and stated that such sentiments as were expressed were contrary to the principles of the organisation. Afr Bruce concluded bv saving that there had been many slanderous misstatements during the campaign but pone so utterly mischievous as this,