AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 October 1927, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association. POTATO CROP. SYDNEY, Oet. 11. The Agricultural Department report shows the potato crops generally are in a backward state, owing to want of vain and continued cold weather, but a large area in the main crop districts have been prepared ancl now rain lias fallen planting will proceed.

QUEENSLAND LABOUR. BRISBANE, Oct. 12. The Trades Union Congress, convened to consider the attitude to the Government and Central Labour Executive in connection with the late railway strike, resolved that the congress concentrate on securing the dominion of all Labour industries and political bodies with those renegade politicians who desired railwaymen to handle black goods during the strike, and take steps to oppose all such alleged Labour representatives. A further resolution declared the action of Premier McCormack in locking out railwaymen, was a direct violation of the vital principle of the Labour movement, and the Government is not worthy of the confidence of the workers. The Congress also decided to ask the Central Labour Executive to convene a conference for the purpose of disciplining Labour politicians.

SOLOMONS MASSACRE. (Received this dnv at 12.25 D.m.l SYDNEY, Oet. 12. In connection with the massacre in the Solomons, a cable received from the chairman of Lovers Pacific Islands plantations states Bell’s party were massacred while collecting taxes. He surmises that Bell and Lillies, with a party of native police, were following the usual custom and had erected a tent on the beach where the natives made payments. It is supposed that some hillmen failed to come in and a party then proceeded inland, one of the native police going ahead. The natives, resenting the collection, struck and killed him. It would bo in accord with the native character that the rest of the advance party should be set upon and killed and that when Bell and the rest came up, they too were killed. “I do not think there is any concerted rising against the whites, or the Government. The native poll tax has been in operation for some years. I think it will be very difficult to get in touch with the natives concerned in the outrage. Their country is very mountainous and heavily timbered.” Missionaries express similar views and hope no reprisals will he taken.