AUSTRALIA.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XL, Issue 9171, 2 December 1919, Page 5

AUSTRALIA.

(Per Press Association, Copyright.) SYDNEY, December 1. Useful rain has fallen in the eastern half of the State and 'in the Riverina district. The drought in the western districts has not been relioved. Mr T. J. Ryan, after touring most of the States, "is verY optimistic about the election results, and predicts an easy Labour victory, with tho defeat of six members of the Cabinet, including Mr Hughes himself. Tho sup-, porters of Mr Hughes, and the strongest section of the Press, are convinced that Mr. Ryan is allowing his optimism to bady mislead him. BRISBANE, December 1. A domestic tragedy is reported from Sunnybank. A Russian ' quarrelled with his wife, and produced a revolver and commenced shooting. His wife jumped from a window, and suffered internal injuries. The husband then turned the revolver on his children, of whom he shot five, lie then shot himself. The mother rescued her baby -uninjured, and another lad escaped. Ono girl died on her way to the hospital. MELBOURNE, December 1. Mr Piddington, K.C., has been appointed chairman of the Basic Wage Commission, created by the Commonwealth Government. The Commission i.s to commence its enquiry immediately.

(Received December 2, 11-30 a.m.) SYDNEY, December 2. The expedition from the London Tropical School of medicine has arrived en route to Gilbert and Ellice Islands, to investigate tropical diseases. Although not abandoning the principle of the Children's Maintenance Bill, the Government has decided to accept the Board of Trade's declaration of a living wage as £3 17s. MELBOURNE, December 2. The Government lias decided to distribute the canteen profits to dependents of deceased soldiers. The Federal Government announced that they are giving the Northern Territory a representative in the Senate, who will be entitled to speak and vote on all Territorial questions.