AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Southland Times, Issue 18835, 31 May 1920, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

AN INTERNED PRIEST. PROTEST AGAINST DEPORTATION. LIVELY CONTROVERSY AT SYDNEY. (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) SYDNEY, May 31. (Received May 31, 1.35 a.m.) During the war Father Jergcr, a Roman Catholic priest was placed in a German internment camp. Beyond the fact of his being of German nationality, the other reasons, if any existed, were not disclosed. The Roman Catholic Church authorities at the lime made an ineffective protest against the internment of the priest. The fixing of Father Jergcr's deportation for a date early in June has revived the case, and led to strong protest from Catholic societies and representations to the Federal authorities not to cany the deportation into effect. Among others, the Lord Mayor, Alderman Fitzgerald, has taken a prominent part in the movement.

A deputation was sent to Melbourne and interviewed Mr Hughes to urge that there oc no deportation before Jerger was given in open trial, and in support of tins a .’emonstration was arranged for to-day in Moore Park.

The agitation has. led to much heartburning and pi ess correspondence against the easing of lieatmeni against Germans or allowing the religious aspect to interfere in tiie case. This leti to the Returned Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Association organising a counter demonstration in the park with a view of impressing on the Federal Government the necessity of not relaxing the regulations for the deportation of Germans or permitting anything savouring of disloyalty. About 150,000 people attended the meeting, the speakers against deportation including Mr Ryan, the Lord Mayor, and the Attorneygeneral.

After carrying a resolution in favour of deportation, the soldiers counted the other meeting out and then rushed the platform waving Union Jacks, and rolled the speakers oh. They in turn were attacked, the proceedings at one time verging on a serious riot. IMPERIAL WOOL CONTRACT. “A RECORD OF ECONOMY.” SYDNEY, May 29. Sir Arthur Goldfinch, in cabling to the Graziers’ Association, makes grateful acknowledgment of the latter’s approval of the imperial wind contract, and amis that the ’English administration charges are less .nan one-ibth ol one per cent. The sales ~rc a record of economy.” IliE PREMIERS’ CONFERENCE. IMMIGRATION AND RAILWAYS. SYDNEY, May 30. (Received May 30, 11.40 p.m.) The Premiers’ Conference has concluded. .1 discussed (inane;, immigration and uniorni railway gauge, and arrived at a tenta- .. e agreement which will be discussed at . special sitting oi the confeience on une 19. MATRICULATION EXAMINATION. NEW TEST PROPOSED. SYDNEY, May 28. The University Congress carried a motion favouring a new matriculation test for a.mit ■, ciftcring in character but not in •taiuiard from the existing test. It will be .variable to ail over 25. NEW SOUTH WALES LOAN. THE SUBSCRIPTION. SYDNEY, May 30. The subscriptions to the State loan total co 13,090. A SERIOUS FIRE. BUSINESS PREMISES DESTROYED. SYDNEY, May 30. (Received May 30, 5 p.m.i A fire at Weewa ties!roved Spencer and Jolktt’s general store and six other shops. I’he damage is estimated at £IO,OOO.