AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 April 1926, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[Australia & N.Z. Cable Association

A.W.U. MANIFESTO. SYDNEY, March 30. A bitter fight is promised at tho forthcoming Labour Party s annual conference. A wide s|-lit has developed between the leaders of the Australian Labour Party and the Australian Workers’ Union. Tho latter are making a determined attempt to gain control of llw conference. They have now issued a manifesto containing a scathing attack upon a faction which, they alleged controls the Australian Labour executive. -The manifesto, declares that the chief executive positions of the Australian Labour Party are in the possession of an unscrupulous gang of usurpers who are resorting to every description of dirty trick and swindles in order to secure themselves power. The manifesto elaborates these charges, quoting many alleged instances in support of them. ■The manif.rsto appeals to all Labourites who honour tlieir faith to purge the Labour Party from elements which have dragged the fair name of the Labour Movement in the gutter of

contempt. I'otlmving tin’s, jut iniligna tion meeting representative of all the city branches ol the Australian I.aliour Party was held and allegations of irregular methods were freely made against the members ol the executive of the ruling faction. CIVIL SERVANTS’ RETIRING AGE. .SYDNEY. March 3d. I he New .South Males Cabinet have decided to strictly enforce the retirement of till civil servants reaching th age. of fi's years. J„ very extiaonlinary circumstances alone, will the role he over-ridden.

lush FIRES. SYDNEY, March 31. A luiiloronce of inler-Stato forestry experts hero discussed the recent desti active fires, and the best means of avoiding them in future. The conference favoured the education of tlm people ns to the value of the establishment of a forest guard patrol, and better firebreak provisions. A Victoria delegate declared that he was convinced that fully 75 per cent, of the fires in the country were caused wilfully by the graziers in need of grass, who burned off to cause a new growth of grass.

PR OS EC UTIO NS COMM ENCE l> MELBOURNE, March 31. As a result of police investigations into the recent disastrous bush fires, proecutions have been launched against twenty settlers for negligence. Returned Soldier settlers, in the closer settlement area, ale considered to he the chief cause of fires, fiut it is known that a great deal of burning was done to promote, the. growth of grass. The State Cabinet has earmarked £IO.OOO for grass seed in the fire areas the money to he lent to settlers on very easy terms. STOCK SALKS. SYDNEY, April 1. At the lat stock sales on account at Wright Stephenson (Wellington), three bullocks realised £44. and one at £ll. At the pedigree pig sale, Wright Stephensons purchased for New Zealand a reserve championship Berkshire sow for forty guineas, also a hour lor twenty guineas. WEATHER FOR RACES. (Received this day at 9.30 a.rn.) SYDNEY. April 1. The weather outlook for the races, show anil the holidays is more promising. Heavy rain which has lallon for to last two days 'has ceased and lurther falls am not ’anticipated. 'the city is thronged with inter-Stale and country visitinrs and it is experts'll that there will be record attendances at all holiday attractions. MR RR.U( E’S POLICY. SYDNEY. March 31. ■Speaking m the official luncheon at tile Agricultural Show Mr Brine (I'cdera! Premier) .-aid the Government had decided to appoint a. Migration and Developmental Commission, including representatives of all sections <n the community to consider all the schemes, submitted under the migration agreement, with the British Government. The commission would also consider and advise the Government on the whole question of migration national development and the utilisation of Australia’s national resources Aft- Bruce concluded that only in this way could these questions be removed from the arena of party politics, and placed on a higher national plane that their importance demanded. FIREMAN KILLED. MELBOURNE, April I. While travelling to a fire at South Ynrra, a collision occurred between a fire engine from tlie Windsor Station and a tram ear with the result that one fireman was killed and three were seriously injured. The engine stopped at the intersection to allow the tram to pass anil then moved forward apparently without noticing the approach of another train, which crashed into the side of the engine on which the firemen were sitting.