AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 June 1927, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(Australian it N.Z. Cable Association.)

SYDNEY, June 29. Alter a lengthy meeting, the Soak Executive, acting on representation.; from Mr Lang, decided to attend the Lnitv Conference on July 23rd.

CHARGED WITH MURDER. SYDNEY. June 29

Cyril Matthew Thompson, who is under remand on a vagrancy charge, has been charged with murder in connection with the death of Thori'ey at Tamworth (cabled on .Sunday).

ALLEGED MURDER. SYDNEY, June 29

William Brooks, a tram conductor, died at tlie hospital as the result of wounds alleged to have been inflicted with a knife during a fight at his home at Sandingham. William Cooper has been arrested and charged with murder. It is understood Cooper made a statement to the police in which he admitted that lie stabbed Brooks in self-defence.

(MILD ENDOWMENT. SYDNEY. June 29

In consequence of the declaration of the basic wage. Mr Lang states the Child Endowment scheme will operate from July Ist and the first payment will be made on August Ist. The scheme includes a tax of 3 per cent on total wages sheets of nIV employers in the Stale and Railway Department. The new wage endowment will cost approximately WOO.OOO pel- annum.

A LABOUR EIGHT. BRISBANE. June 29

A I net ion light has arisen among waterside workers at Cairns, and has assumed a serious aspect. At the request of the police attempts by shipowners to pick up labour have been abandoned, owing to fear of a riot between the opposing forces. The dispute has resolved itself into a tight between the l-Vdoral President of the Union, who is in Cairns, and the- Federal Secretary in Melbourne.

SAMOAN AFFAIRS. SUVA. June “9. An Apia correspondent of the Fiji “Times'’ says Samoa i- politically quiet. Some chiefs arc- atlopfing passive resistance in one district. They have ordered not to work or pay taxes and lo disregard olliciai functions. A

majority do not tindorsiand the agitation. but follow the chiefs, who are dominated hv European members of the Citizens' Committee. Hon. Noswortli.v's instructions to (ease agitation have not been carried out. Two chiefs have been sent to Apoliu and others ordered to return bo their villages. Loyal chiefs asked that the Europeans of the Committee he punished. Samoa's production is seriously impeded by all talk and no work. The Clan steamer sailed short of GOO tons of copra cargo.

ESCAPEE RECAPTURED. SYDNEY. June 29. Herbert Stanley, who made a sensational escape from Darlingliurst Court House, cabled oil 7th. April was discovered in Albiiry Gaol where, under the name of Waterson lie had been committed fur trial on a charge of burglary and stealing a motor ear. Stanley had dyed bis hair and otlieiwi-e so mitered his appearance that even the Finger Print Department had great difficulty in establishing his identity. It is alleged that Stanley, after his escape from Darlingliurst, made a journey to Alhur.v district in two motor cars, which he .stole and abandoned on route. Me is credited six times with escaping from custody under sensational circumstances. .

COMMUNITY BUSES. AUCKLAND. Juno 29

At the c'ose of a meeting interested in .suburban resiliences at noun, a definite statement was made Lliat, the community buses will continue to run. It was decided to bold a scries of indignation meetings and petition Parliament.

TUB ER C’U I .<IS rs DT R ECTOR. PERTH. June 29

Doctor J. B. Ferguson, who was appointed director of tuberculosis to the Victorian Government, is a passenger on the Ormond, lie is nil authority on ultra violet radiation. Referring to tuberculosis lie says it is becoming definitely less prevalent. In 1913 there wore about sixty thousand cases in England and Wales. Tho number to-day is below Ibrty thousnnd.

S UN.SAT TON AI, 11A 1 PEN TX GS. MELBOURNE. June 28,

Mystery surrounds a. series of sensational .happenings at Rabaul in connection with the trial of 10 natives on charges of murdering two white prospectors in the Nakonai district. The natives were arrested, and last week the Federal Government received a report that 14 natives had escaped from the gaol, also that one of their number was dead and one was sick.

Inquiries for fuller details have so far met with no response, and the Department is mystified. The gaol at Rabaul is commanded by a white officer, who is in charge of native police.