AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 November 1925, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.]

AIORE .MELBOURNE FIRES MELBOURNE, Nov, 19. A fire at St. Kilda destroyed the I men’s baths. The damage is estimal- | ed at ten thousand sterling. Another lire at Brunswick, destroyed the large joinery factory of H. G. Watson, also several private properties also suffered. The damage runs into several thousands. AVIATION RECRUITS. .MELBOURNE. Nov. 19. The Minister of Defence lias decided to assist civil aviation by providing the (lying sections of approved Aero Clubs at Sydney, and Alclhourne with equipment daring the first two years sufficient to train forty pilots annually, and an annual grant for each pilot trained thereafter. It is predicted this .scheme will enable young men to learn to fly tit reasonable cost, will encourage private ownership, tend to stimulate the local manufacture of aircraft, and will create a reserve of pilots for defeme purposes. Thi> cost in the first, year is estimated at ten thousand sterling, whi-’ will he reduced by 25 per cent, for the second vear.

FIREAIEN GAOLED. ADELAIDE, Nov. 19. The firemen from the Baradine, charged yesterday, were sentenced to fourteen days’ imprisonment for refusing to work at sea on the grounds that the vessel was short-lmndod. LABOR ALARMED. BRISBANE, November 20. Tiie Trades and Labour Council is alarmed at the defeat of Labour tit, the Federal elections and is holding a Congress of Unions at an early date. DROUGHT THEN FLOODS. SYDNEY. Nov. 20. Splendid ijpins soaked the wholo State, greaty benefiting the crops, but it is too heavy in the south, where Hood warnings have been issued. SABBATH OBSERVANCE. .MELBOURNE.. Nov. 20. A meeting of the joint Australian Conm-il of Churches runtemplating reunion, passed a motion that the physical and social enjoyment of the Sabbaih is not inconsistent with the observance of the Christian Sunday, provided it dues not displace the obliga'lioti of public worship. I’KODECE BRICES. .MELBOURNE. Nov. 20. Wheat: Rrompt Os Sd. January 5s 10’d. Oats: Buyers Is fid. sellers Is fid. feed Is. Barley: (English) on wharves at .Melbourne. 5s Id. Potatoes. £1(1 In 012. Onions, £lB, WOOL SALES. BRISBANE. Nov. 21). I he filth series of wool sales have concluded. Competition was keen for Lest descriptions. Imt bidding on average lines barely maintained the rates ruling at. previous series. THE OPPOSITION UNITES. BRISBANE. Nov. 20. As an outcome of the negotiations between all parties the oppnsi t inn has agreed to form a composite party known its the Country Progressive Party in order to present a United front to Hie Labour Party. I STEAMER FURTHER delayed. PERTH. Nov. 20. The Karoola has been further delayed at Fremantle, the men refusing to sign on under the conditions offered bv the owners. MARRIAGE VoT SECRET. PERTH, Nov. 20. Viscount and Viscountess Hastings, who recently caused a sensation in li England by their alleged secret, marriage. have tit rived at Fremantle by the Ormonde. Viscount Hastings, interviewed, denied the marriage was secret. lie said the ha-te was due to business reasons, i COLLIE CONFERENCE ABORTIVE. PERTH, Nov. 20. The eolilerenee between the mine i owners and the strikers til Collie j proved abortive. I As a result of the strike the rail- 1 way. tramway and lighting services in I Perth will probably la* curtailed on | .Monday. i

SERIOUS ALLEGATIONS. j POLICE AND POLITICAL CONTROL. WHAT HAPPENED AT FREMANTLE (Received this day at 11.25 a.m.) PERTH, Nov. 20. The Police Association, in the course of a statement protesting against the (tovernniellt’s refusal to grant a pensions scheme, makes a serious reference to the recent riot at Fremantle when the strikers attacked- the police. The statement alleges the police were told [ not to use their revolvers unless- they , were in imminent danger. Ministerial sanction had to be obtained lielore the police could defend their persons and the result was that a number of police were seriously injured. The statement proceeds :— T he Government of the day should lay down a dictum, if the police force is to be influenced by Governments and Ministers as it has been during recent years at Fremantle ns to methods which it should use to defend the property and , lives of the people the police should j be afforded some guarantee against the ever present risks of being hamstrung by Governments. The statement concludes ; Apparently the policy of the Minister in charge ,it the police is to arm the police with velvet gloves instead ot competent weapons. It is questionable \\bethel the police will rush into the next aflrny in view of the manner in which the •strikers were dealt with by the Magistrates on this o<*c*ision.