AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 November 1915, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

MATTERS POLITICAL. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright, Sydney, Nov. 18. The Assembly was incensed at Mr. Gardiner's charge that the policy of the Government appeared to be to increase the salaries of highly-paid officials and ignore the lower grades. Mr. Holman said that in the event of another similar speech he would have the speaker expelled from the Labor Party or leave it himself. It was quite conceivable that the loss of Mr. Gardiner's vote and the votes of others who felt like him would mean the overthrow cf the Government, but that was a contingency he was quite prepared and ready to face. The Government would not have insulting support handed in with dirty insinuations against its sincerity. Brisbane, Nov. 16. The Assembly passed the second read, ing of the Legislative Council Abolition Bill by 38 votes to 17. MOTOR-CAR RECORD. Sydney, Nov. 20. A party of four in a motor-car put up a record by travelling overland from Fremantle to Sydney in 8 days 23 hours 35 minutes, THE COLLIERY DIFFICULTY. Melbourne, Nov. 20. The compulsory coal conference resulted in a complete agreement on all matters in dispute in the northern and southern collieries of New South Wale 9. Probably agreements will be made covering Queensland. Victoria, and Tasmania. Mr. Justice Higgins pointed out that there were many strikes for trivial reasons. and the parties agreed to provide boards of reference in the various districts to which a dispute might be submitted without stopping work.

RETURNED TROOPER'S CRIME. Sydney, Nov. 20. At the inquest on Brann, a letter written by him was read, bitterly complaining of threats by other soldiers and subsequently in hospital and on the voyage from Egypt, because he was alleged to be a German spy. This led to his heavy drinking and attempted ■ suicide, and temporary incarceration in an asylum. Medical evidence showed that Brnun's mental trouble was due to alcoholism. The verdict was that he cut his own throat and that of his wife.