AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 August 1926, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[Australian & N-Z. Cable Association.) GARDEN ISLAND. SYDNEY, Aug. 18.

The High Court of Australia has decided that Garden Island, at present occupied by the Commonwealth as a naval depot, legally belongs to the N.S.W. State Government, and that, if the Commonwealth wishes to retai possession of the island, it must pay the State Government a rental for it. I he Court made an order declaring the State Government entitled to possession of the island.

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN PREMIER. ADELAIDE, Aug. 17, At a meeting of the Parliamentary Llibour Party, .Mr L. Hill was appointed Premier in place of .Mr Gunn, who has been' appointed to the Federal Migration Commission. Mr S. Burrel was appointed Speaker, in succession to Mr Mclnnes, who will he granted a portfolio later. INSURANCE RATES. SYDNEY, Aug. 19. The Retail Traders’ Insurance Assn, decided to halve the sickness premium under the Workers’ Compensation Act, making it ten shillings instead of twenty shillings charged by the Government office. The reduction will he dated from the proclamation of the Act. N.S.W. POLITICS. SYDNEY, August 19. The “ Daily Telegraph ” predicts a I Cabinet crisis, and possible, deposition of Premier Lang. It states a distinct cleavage lias occurred between two leading members of the Cabinet, the members of which are also sharply divided into two factions, the political wing and the industrial wing. Moreover, the caucus is divided into two camps. The chief cause of the trouble is the alleged failure of the mission to England in connection with the proposed abolition of the Upper House, and complications arising ont of that question. A fight for supremacy is expected in a few days, before the opening of Parliament, which is now fixed for 22nd September.