AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 8 March 1930, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

AY ESTR ALLAN SUGG ESTION

(Australian Press Association)

PERTH, AI arch 7

Speaking at an election meeting, AY. Richardson AI.L.C. said lie would advocate the secession' of AV-esteru Australia from the Commonwealth. Sir .James Alitchell (Leader of the Opposition) commenting on the petrol tax said: ‘‘That ‘is Federation for you. Let us get out as soon as we can.”

■N.S.AV. FACTORIES

SYDNEY, AI arch 7

New South AATil.es factories last year increased in number by ninetynine to SG4I; the number of employees by 2463 to 185,123 and the value of production by one and three-quar-ter millions to seventy-three and a half millions sterling. The wages amounted to over thirty-eight and a half millions.

RACEHORSE OAYNEII CHARGED

iSYDENY. March 7

Rumours current following the win by Poweull at the Rosebery pony races on the 22nd of February, reached a sensational climax with the arrest of the owner and trainer, Arthur Hebden, on charges of obtaining £lO from the Rosebery Racing Club by false pretences. The police are now searching for the horse.

FLAX INDUSTRY ASSISTED

CANBERRA, March 7

The Federal Alinistry decided to grant immediate assistance to the flax industry probably in the form of ■x bounty of fifteen per cent on the Australian market price.

N.S.AV. CRIME INCREASE

SYDNEY, March 7

Chief Justice, Sir Philip Street, in dismissing the appeals of two bank robbers, commented on the increase of serious crime. He said that this was a disquieting circumstance, but while nobody wished to see the excessive severity reintroduced, which at no time was a reproach in this country, the punishment in future would have to fit the crime, as leniency might do more harm than good.

N.S.AV. POLITICS

UPPER HOUSE REFERENDUM

SYDNEY, Alarch 7

The Now South Wales Cabinet has fixed May 17 as the date for the referendum on its plan for reforming the Legislative Council. The Transport Bill in the Legislative Assembly, which measure will give trusts and municipalities complete control of motor bus competition, was pased after almost every clause, totalling two hundred and fifty, had been fought and closured by the Government.

MINISTRY’S DECISION

(Received this day at 9.40 a.m.) CANBERRA, March 8. ft is understood the Federal Alinistry decided not to recall the Australian Commissioner General in United States, All Herbert Brookes, whose

term expires in eighteen months time.

FINAL DECISION UNREACHED. CANBERRA, March S. Air J. H. Scull in stated no final decision was reached regarding the extra imposition of twopence halfpenny a gallon on petrol.

STATE ELECTIONS. ADELAIDE, March 8.

All members of the last Parliament, except two Liberals will contest seats at the State elections on April oth. Ten different Parties are represented. They will contest forty-two out of forty-six seats, for which nine-ty-nine candidates are nominated. Four Labourites were returned unopposed, including the Leader of the Opposition.

THE COAL CONFERiFENCE,

(Received this day at 9.25 a.m.) SYDNEY, -March 8.

The feeling in Labour circles is that Monday’s conference of coal owners and miners representatives will again be abortive and that the miners are in a stronger position to resist the compromise than heretofore by the reason of stiff levies to be imposed upon all unionists bv tbe Trade Bn ion Conference for their sustenance.