AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 March 1926, Page 4

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.] .MATERNITY BONUSES A FAILURE. .MELBOURNE, March 8. •Speaking on public health, the Federal .Minister of Health stated that Australia was far behind New Zealand and many other countries in the matter of child welfare. He showed, by statistics, that the maternity bonuses had done none of the three things expected of it. It had not decreased the infant mortality, saved the mothers, nor increased the birth rate, although eight and a hall millions had been spent on bonuses. The Minister added that the money would have been well spent if it had done any of these things. GOVERNOR, refuses TO AL’POINT WOMEN. SYDNEY, -March 8. It is stated in political circles that the Premier and the Attorney-General waited on the Governor and requested him to appoint a number of women to the Legislative Council and that the Governor refused to do so. FEDERAL 15YE-KLECT lON. SYDNEY, .March S. In the Federal bye-election for the Fdeii-.Monard electorate, due to tho death of Sir Austin Chapman, the Nationalist candidate, Mr Perkins, at the present stage has a majority of over (>,OOO over his Labour‘opponent and his election seems assured. DEATH SENTENCE COMMUTED. HOBART, March 8.

The death sentence passed on Alfred John Dobson for the murder ol his wife last .September lias been commuted to the term of his natural life.

A FACTION FIGHT. OVER UNI UN ADMINISTRATION. SYDNEY, March S. For some time past there has Ir-oii a factional light within the ranks of the Seamen's Union and a crisis was reached at the week-end as a res'ult of which Mr Tom Walsh (general president) and Raeburn (general secretary) have been summoned to attend a special meeting of xln- Sydney branch tonight in an-wer charges of neglect of duty in regard to the mlmiiiisl ration of the Union. Jacob Jolni'loli is the leader of the section which is demanding an explanation from the two officials.

Tim basis of tlm allegations against Walsh and Raeburn, is that they are largely to blame for the present depleted state of the tiuaiues of tRo .Melbourne branch, inasmuch as they failed to secure regular financial statements from the branch officials as required under the rules.

•JOIIANNSFN EXPELLED. .MELBOURNE, March S. Tln> Federal Executive of the Seamen's Union expelled Jacob Johannsen. W. J. Clarke and John MeGorrie. menihers of the Enquiry Committee appointed by the Sydney branch to investigate the Victorian branch finances. The effect of this action will he that when those expelled attempt to address a meeting in Sydney to-night, they will not he heard as they are no longer members of the Union.