AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 April 1926, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.]

X.S.W. UPPER HOUSE. SYDNEY, April 2,

Mr Lang, Premier of New South Wales, has revived the question of the abolition of the Legislative Council in a. statement to the press, in which tho Premier denies that he ever attempted to deceive the Governor, Sir D. du Chair, or that he gave the Governor an assurance that the last batch of twenty-five appointments were not for the purpose of abolishing the l m>er House.

Mr Lang quotes a letter which he wrote to the Governor on the 4th of December, in reply to his Excellency's queries, wherein M.r Lang says that lie did not say. nor did he give the Governor to understand, that it was not tlie intention of the Government to abolish the Council during this Parliament ; nor did ho state, or give the Governor the impression, that there was an intention to do so, the letter adding: “This question lias not been considered by the Government.” Tho letter further informed the Governor that the appointment of twentyfive members would not mean putting an end to the Council’s value as a deliberative and revising chamber, and that it would not mean that measures would ho .forced through without discussion. Some of the newspapers are asking what Mr Lang’s explanation really amounts to.

SI 10AY ATTENDANCE. SYDNEY. March 3. AVith fine weather and usual Good FnTTay absence of other attractions, the attendance at tho Royal Show broke all records, 153,000 passing the turnstiles.

LABOUR PARTY. SYDNEY, March 3. The annual conference of the Australian Labour Party commenced as a trial of strength of tho rival factions, a test vote being taken on the question of appointing time-keepers which resulted in the anti-executive faction securing a majority of 20 over the executive Party. OBITUARY. ’SYDNEY, April 3. Obituary—Patrick Quinn, a wellknown journalist and brother of Roderick Quinn, Hie poet. STEAM TRAM TRAGEDY. SYDNEY, April 1. A steam tram at Kogarah jumped the rails after descending a steep hill. The engine overturned, pinning the driver. Leslie Slayter, underneath the wreckage. He was killed instantly. Three of the carriages left the rails, while one travelled a considerable distance at a terrific speed, and crashed into a telegraph pole. The smash injured the conductor. There were only three passengers aboard. They escaped with slight injuries.