STATE ELECTIONS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 28, 3 February 1936, Page 7

STATE ELECTIONS.

Premier Unopposed in West Australia. BROTHER FIGHTING- BROTHER. (Received 11 a.m.) / PERTH, this day. There were 104 candidates for the State elections on February 15 when nominations closed. Of the 50 seats, 15 will not be contested. Three members of the Ministry, including the Premier, Mr. Philip Collier, and 12 other members have been returned unopposed. The most surprising nomination is that of Mr. F. J. Hughes, who described himself as a disabled soldier and who is nominated as an Independent for East Perth, the sitting member for which is the Minister of Employment, Mr. J. J. Kenneallv. His brother, Mr. T. J. Hughes, is also contesting the seat as an Independent. *

"BACKS TO THE WALL."

Sentence Deleted from Famous Wartime Message. REASON FOR HAIG'S ACTION. (Received 12.30 p.m.) LONDON, February 2. The Rev. Alexander Campsie, conducting tlie Earl Hfiig memorial service at St. Columbus Church, revealed that Earl Haig deleted from the historic "backs to the wall" message of April 11, 1918, the final sentence "Be of'good cheer, the British Empire must win in the end." Mr. Campsie expressed the opinion that Earl Haig, on consideration, may have thought the retention of the sentence might alienate the sympathy.of the Allies who were not primarily interested in the Empire's triumph. Moreover the'sentence savoured of boasting.

SCHOOL LEAVING AGE.

RAISING OF LEVEL PLANNED. British Official Wireless. (Received 9.30 a.m.) RUGBY, February 2. The text has been issued of a Government bill for improving the educational system. Provision is made in the measure for raising the school leaving age from 14 to 15 years. The bill declaies that September 1, 1939, shall be the appointed day by which all local authorities must have brought the change into operation, though there is nothing to prevent an authority from making the change at an earlier date if it is in a position to do so. Tlie change has been effected already by 13 local authorities. NEW SECRETARY. FEDERAL SEVEN'S UNION. (Received 12.30 p.m.) SYDNEY, this day. The counting of the votes for the secretaryship of the Seamen s Union having been completed in favour of Mr. J. Keenan, he will take over the lederal office of the union from Mr. Jacob Johnson this week. DEATH OF VICTIM. MELBOURNE SHOOTING FRAY. MELBOURNE, February 2. James Scriven, aged 64, who was shot by bandits when the latter escaped with a bag containing £1800 on Friday, has died in hospital. Scriven was shot in the head while entering a taxi. ine money comprised the day s takings a j the Stamps Office.