AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 March 1926, Page 1

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

fAustralia & N.Z. Cable Association.]

IMPRESSIONS OF ENGLAND. FREMANTLE, March 23

Sir William Cullen, Lieut-Governor of New South Wales has returned from a visit to England. Interviewed, he said that England was faced with some of the biggest problems in the nation’s history and it would, need the best qualities of our race to pull her through. He was confident the-genius of the British race would find a way out. It had been said that the ration was becoming indifferent, irreligious, undisciplined and spineless, hut his observations had convinced him that this was not so. \\ hat ho sa.w oil Armistice Day was proof of discipline and spiritual reverence in. true religion. Tn certain big circles lie found a most sincere and deep sipirtual life such as he had not found in England before. The national character was as high as ever. Sir William concluded: “If anyone tells me that England is down, T simply answer, ‘don’t be ridiculous.’ ’

FAMILY TRAGEDY. SYDNEY, March 23. Following on a family quarrel, where in Alexander Strong, fifty-seven, i

alleged to have threatened the members of his family at Smith's Creek, near Murwillumbnh, his son, Bruce Strong. a g C .(l 26 years, is alleged to have fired two shots' from a rillo at his lather, killing him. * Bruce Strong was arrested ann charged with murder. 11l a statement to the police, lie said he had fired in self defence.

N.S.W. CONTRACT. SYDNEY, March 23.

The Labour Aldermen of the City Council, on a purely party vote by 12 votes to 9, forced through a decision in favour of the Commonwealth Shipping Board’s contract foi tlio turbo-alternators in connection with the electric, power house, at a cost of seven hundred thousand sterling, being constructed at tlie Cockatoo Dockyard.

A Reform Alderman raised the question as to whether Cockatoo Dock would he capable of carrying out the work. Tie asked whether, as a Gov. eminent concern. Cockatoo Dock had a legal right to compete with local industrial firms. He also raised the question of giving consideration to an English tender, which, besides being lower, would, ho said, provide a larger amount of work in Australia, The discussion was gagged.

VICTORIAN RAINS AT LAST. MELBOURNE. March 22. Heavy rain continues in the far south and western district and Hood warnings have boon issued. leiiifit rainfalls have also been experienced in Victoria during the past 24 hours. WHISKY TARIFF PROTECTION. MELBOURNE, March 23.

The Federal House of Representatives is discussing the tariff. It lias decided to increase the duty on imported whisky by os per gallon, and to allow the present excise duty of 26s per gallon to remain unaltered.

' THE PENRITH MURDER. SYDNEY. March 23. The school teacher Watson, of Penrith, has been committed for trial on the charge of murdering his daughter, aged 22. last week, by battering and cutting her with an axe. TUBERCULOSIS SYDNEY. Ala rch 19. The Minister of Public Health declined 1li<! R.'-'d Cross application for a supply of Dr Small Page’s anti-tuberculo-sis serum, until the official tests by scbeted specialists are completed. The Minister adds tliat. in view of the importance attaching to the result of the tests, it is essential that there should he no distribution until the exact value and treatment are accurately determined. farmers AND politics MELBOURNE. A larch 23. A conference is being held of tlio Australian Farmers’ Federal Organisation. Tts object is to regenerate tlio Country Party political movement, mainly by opening its ranks to all tlio country dwellers. The conference commenced to-day. By consolidating the forces of tlio farming and allied interests the organisation hopes to establish a powoiful political entity fn fight against centralisation.