AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 14 March 1917, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

SIR E. SHACKLETON. SYDNEY, this day. Sir E. Shackleton was occorded a civic reception at the Town Hall. He will lecture to-morrow night in aid of Captain Mclntosh’s widow. A DISASTROUS FIRE SYDNEY, this day. A fire destroyed fifteen business places at Narrabean. The damage is estimated at £40,000. NO RETRENCHMENT Received 11.45 SYDNEY,, this day The Government has announced there will be retrenchment in the Public Service. ANTI-SHOUTING SYDNEY, this day. , The Methodist Conference carried a resolution urging the introduction of the Anti-Shouting Act on the lines of the New Zealand Act. EXTRAVAGANCE IN NONESSENTIALS MELBOURNE, this day. In the House of Representatives, during the debate on the Tariff Validation Bill, Dr Maloney hoped Mr Hughes would protect the country against the importation of wicked extravagances in non-essentials. COST OF WARSHIPS INCREASED MELBOUURNE, this day Mr Cook said the cruiser Brisbane was completed, and was now serving with the rest of the fleet. He stated the cost was double the amount of other vessels of a similar build in the fleet. THE POLITICAL SQUABBLE MELBOURNE, this day In the Senate Mr Gardner moved the appointment of a Royal Commission to inquire into the charges preferred by Mr Watson against Mr Hughes. Mr Fcrricks interjected —‘‘ Everybody knows that Ready was bought; the only question is what price was paid.” The motion was ruled out of order. Mr Gardner then moved a motion to dissent from the President’s ruling, wdiich was carried by 16 to 15. Mr Pearce moved the appointment of a Commission provided the member accept the responsibility of making a definite charge. This was defeated by 16 to 15.

Mr Gardner’s motion was then carried by 18 to 13, Messrs Keating and Bakhap voting against the Governemnt. Mr Watson announced he accepted the service of the writ issued by Mr Hughes.