AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 October 1927, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.) FOUND DEAD. MELBOURNE, Oct. 15. 1 The body of A. E. De Garis, brother of the late G. J. De Garis, who came into prominence in connection with a ' make believe scheme, and who after ' did commit suicide, was found in the 1 river at Mil dura, clad in pyjamas and a dressing gown. WORKLESS MEN’S PAY. PERTH, Oct. 15. Inquiries by the Criminal Investigation Department into the allegations by the State Executive of the Australian Labour Party, that southern Europeans working in country districts for no remuneration other than food, show a number of Bulgarians and Macedonians endeavoured to secure work for 10s per week with keep. A number got work at that rate and others received £1 sterling. A majority have been induced to come from America by shipping companies advertisemnts, that they could earn £1 to £3 sterling per day in this country. Statements were made that some Italians, Greeks and Slavs showed they were prepared to work for food only. N.S.W. ELECTIONS. SYDNEY, Oct, 15. The latest election figures, after allotting preferences, give the Pact parties 48, Labour 39, Independent Labour 2, doubtful 1, hut the latter will probably go to the Pact parties. SYDNEY, Oct. 16. ' The returns have been completed for all electorates, making the state of the parties as follows: Nationalists 35, Country Party 13, Labour Party 40, Independent Labour 2. QUEENSLAND BAINS. BRISBANE, Oct. 15. Heavy rain has fallen, which has ensured a satisfactory wheat harvest on tho 'Darling (Downs and SouthEastern Queensland. CRUISER AT SOLOMONS. MELBOURNE, Oct. 16. A wireless from the “Adelaide” I states tho cruiser lias arrived at the Solomon Islands.

AN UNUSUAL TRIANCLE. A FIGHT FOR A LUBRA. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) PERTH, Oct. 16. There was a fierce battle between two rival tribes of aborigines at Goondadoo Plain in the Far Norwest, when quarrel developed between two members of the rival factions over the possession of a lubra. A trial of strength between the two men to decide who should possess her, failed to reach a decisive result, and then the two tribes commenced to figbt. A flight of spears was hurtled through the air. One was killed and many seriously wounded before the melee ended. The Police later arrived on the scene, but were unable to gain any information as the members of the warring tribes had taken to the bush.

SMUGGLED CHINESE. (Received this day at 9.30 a.m.) SYDNEY, Oct. 17. One of the Chinese who landed at Cremorne (cabled on 13th.) died at a hospital. Three quarter-masters from the Dutch steamer Arendskerk have been arrested and charged with being directly concerned with the coming to the Commonwealth of prohibited immigrants. AIR. LANG ON ELECTION SYDNEY, Oct. 17. Referring to the election result, Mr Lang said the Labour Party went to the poll with a more or less divided parliamentary section and a clean breakaway section of nine members,

who constituted themselves a new party under the ill-disguised patronage of a clique known as “tho uncouth crooks of the sliding panel frame.” Of these nine renegades, only two secured reelection. These relied upon Nationalist votes to make their small majorities. No doubt tho result was also influenced by the absence of ex-labour members, who failed to obtain a continuance of support in the selection ballots.

The new Labour Party represents nearly half a million people, which is a. hundred thousand more votes than Labour ever polled before. When it is remembered there has been an undercurrent of treachery working for the past year, within the movement, the result is not on© to fill labour with anv alarm.

OIL REPORTS. BRISBANE, Oct, 17. The Government oil geologist reports that on Saturday morning, fifty gallons of clean white oil came through the Roma tore, and after that a dark oily emulsion came again and the discharge was cut off. Another report states on Friday forty gallons of light oil came through. This oil is coming through two thousand feet of mud fluid.