AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 April 1921, Page 8

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

FEAR OF SEDITIOUS ELEMENT. By Telegraph.—Press Assn —Copyright. Melbourne, April 1. Mr. Hughes, referring to a document found on one of the men charged in connection with the St. Patrick’s Day flag incident, said the question was whether the document was genuine. Amongst the names mentioned therein was that of a member of the British Parliament. The probability was that the names and designations used were not to he regarded too seriously. If they turned out to be genuine the necessary isteps would be taken. People could not come to Australia and use it as a vantage ground for the propagation of sedition against the Empire. The police are investigating whether, as the document alleges, a branch of the Irish Republican Army actually exists in Australia. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Asen. THE ADELAIDE TRAGEDY. A’delaide, April 1. At the inquest on Mr. Brookfield Tomhyeff reserved his defence and was committed for trial on a charge of murder. Mounted Constable Woodhead, in evidence, said that when being escorted to Adelaide, accused said: “You will not forget to, tell the judge I got £lOO to shoot Brookfield.”—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. EiMBARGO ON POTATOES. Melbourne, April 1. Mr. Hughes has announced that the United States authorities have declined at present to remove the embargo placed on the importation of Australian potatoes. The embargo was imposed a year ago to prevent diseased potatoes entering America. PAYMENTS FOR WHEAT. Melbourne, April 1. Next week the Commonwealth is redeeming certificates to the value of. 16 millions in connection with the Government’s liability in connection with the wheat guarantee. ■WESTERN PARLIAMENT. Perth, April 1. The Country Party members have decided to co-operate with the Ministerialists in Parliament. This makes the Government position secure. POSTAL REFORMS WANTED. Sydney, April 1. The annual conference of Chambers of Commerce passed a resolution in favor of a reduction of postage rates, more trunk telephone liners, and the granting of facilities for creating new States within the Commonwealth. THE PROGRESSIVE PARTY. Sydney, April 1. The Progressive Parliamentary Party has decided to maintain a separate entity. ‘ THE LABOR PARTY. Sydney, April 1. The annual conference of the Australian Labor Party unanimously adopted the report of the executive censuring the Government for not calling an early meeting of Parliament, also for refusing to make appointments to the Legislative Council.

The Labor Conference was marked by strong factional friction and con»siderable disorder. In one case two members resorted to blows.