AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 April 1927, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.]

020,000 CLAIMED. SYDNEY, March 31. Mr H. D. Mclntosh Inns issued two writs, each claiming ten thousand pounds sterling damages, for alleged libel. One writ is against Mr R. Packer, the Publisher of Smith’s Newspapers, Ltd. The other is against Smith’s Newspapers. Ltd. The alleged libel. L contained itt an article published that was in the “Daily Guardian" in connection with a InnelieoTi given by the Duke of York. i)!•;! ELATES BARRET). SYDNEY. March 31. The I doral Government has refused to grant passports to Mr -lock Garden and other member'- of the Trades Union Mission to a Congress of Trades Unions that is being held at Canton on the Ist. of May. PASSPORTS REFUSED (Received this day at. 10.25 a.in.) SYDNEY. April I. Unsettled conditions in China, is the reason given by the Federal Government. for refusing passports to Garden and other delegates of the Canton Mission. Vigorous protests against the action of the Government are made b,v the Union organisation in New South AVaies ami Victoria, and efforts arc being made to have the decision reversed.

ARMS FACTORY PURCHASED. .MELBOURNE, April I. The Minister of Defence announces the Commonwealth Government has decided to purchase a local ammunition factory for the purpose of manufacturing small arms ammunition, at a price of £150,C110. ELECTION POSITION. PERTH, April 1. The strength of the Labour Party in tie new Parliament has been brought up to 25, which is equal to half the strength of the 'House. The general opinion, is that owing to I lie changed altitude of the people, the Labour Party will have a difficult task to secure a majority of four in tin elections in the North West. KAWAHAU GOLD. MAKTKRTON, March 28. The annual meeting of Wairarapa Gold Claims. Ltd., was held on Saturday night. .Mr J. W. Andrews (chairman of directors) presiding. In moving the adoption of the annual report, the chairman stated that the dam had proved a success in so lar as locking the waters ol Wakatipu was concerned, hut owing to the tributary rivers being high no virgin ground had been exposed. It was evident that the natural barriers must lie removed to facilitate operations this winter. Overtures for amalamalioii had boon made to the company, anil while he was in full accord with the principle of amalgamation, it was impossible to agree to the financial basis suggested. The company was'ready to start mining at short notice if the circumstances warranted it, hut the directors considered that the company should adopt a wait-and-see policy, pending the locking ol tile, gates this winter. In reply to Mr l(. J. Barton, who asked what attitude the directors had taken in regard to expenditure m

shareholders’ funds on the Shotover River by the parent company, the chairman stated that the matter had been fully com hTiYii. an I tliat ilm hoard had applied t > the parent company for its proportion ol such Innds

so expended. Mr \Y 11. Judd was re-elected a director. and the director.-’ recommendation to increase Urn hoard to six. two to retire annually, was adopted, Mr R. I Age being elected to the extra seat.