AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 29 December 1930, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

LABOUR STORM DEVELOPING

(Australian Press Association.)

SYDNEY, Dec. 29

The “Herald” says:—One of the biggest storms in Labour history is developing. The aim of u section of the Federal Labour Party, allied with militant industrial labour movement is to replace the Prime Minister (Mr Scullin) and if possible remove him from his position and replace him by an advocate of extreme militancy. Other Ministers who are marked down, for immediate slaughter by the ex treme element are Messrs Lyons, Fenton and Barnes. ROB BEE Y INCRE AS ES. SYDNEY, Dec. 29. The police report for the year states that in the last isix months there has been a marked increase in the number of robberies or attempted robberies on bank and railway premises and business houses by armed men. Many civilians were also hailed up. Special measures by the police resulted in many dangerous criminals, including a member of two gangs, being arrested. YACHT RACE. rnppeivpd this day at 8 a.m.) MELBOURNE, December 29. F. J. Rennell, owner of the yacht C'itnara states nothing’-definite has been arranged concerning the race across the Tasman. Stacey of Christchurch has withdrawn hut a Wellington yachtsman has since* been in. communication with him on the subject. Rennell has decided to sail over to New Zealand leaving Melbourne for Auckland about January 10th, The crew consists of the navigator, also Bennett and son, and possibly two more, The Oimara is now being overhauled for the trip. SPECTACULAR BLAZE. AMMUNITION FACTORY FIRE. ADELAIDE, December 29. A large section of the East end of the (City .was threatened yesterday night when the ammunition warehouse of Flavel and Sons was burned to the ground. It* was a most spectacular blaze. Ma.nv thousand pounds worth of goods was destroyed. Huge supplies of ammunition, went off with a terrific bang. The adjoining buildings caught fire but a good save was effected bv the .brigades. Exploding bullets made holes in many buildings. INTENSE HEAT. SYDNEY, December 27. The weather to-day is tempered by a cool southerly. Country districts report a* holiday heat wave. The thermometer registered over a hundred at a number of inland centres. This was followed by wind, thunderstorms and hurricane at Bomba la, South Coast, the worst for years. A tropical cyclone of the willynillv type centred in the northern parts of West Australia, where general rain has fallen. Good rain is also reported from Central Australia. farmers in westralia. PERTH .December 27. The Wheat Growers’ Union Executive states that most of the farmers are in a condition of high nervous tension. There is a grave danger of serious disorder unless steps are taken to stop the harrassing tactics of ■ certain creditors who allegedly are I endeavouring to obtain more than a ' fair share of the crop proceeds. Tf the threats to carry out writs of oxoi eution are put into effect, trouble is [almost* certain, and the Government is urged to declare an immediate moratorium for all farmers’ debts also to make provision enabling farmers to sow fresh crops and appoint* a hoard to hold the balances of wheat until an equitable plan of distribution is introduced. Five thousand farmers need assistance, and storekeepers have decided to refuse credit after January 1.