AUSTRALIAN AFFAIRS.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 16852, 4 June 1920, Page 7

AUSTRALIAN AFFAIRS.

RAIN IN NEW SOUTH WALES.

(By Cable—Press Association —Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) SYDNEY, June 3. Beneficial falls of rain are continuing over the western portion of tho State, embracing a wide area.. The rain producing disturbances are slowly moving eastward. (Received June 4th, ,12.35 a.m.) SYDNEY, June 3. The rain area has contracted considerably. The weather is becoming fine except in the south-west. AN" EXTRAORDINARY CASE. SYDNEY, June 3. An extraordinary story is related by Reg. Harkines, who is in the steamer Makura. j The circumstances arc practically the same as those associated with the Paul Freeman ease. Harkines explained that ho was arrested in Canada, as a deserter early in tho year, and placed on board the Niagara. He escaped at Honolulu, but was re-arrested and placed on board the Makura. Ho was not allowed to land in Canada or in xVustralia, and is now compelled to cross and re-cross the Pacific indefinitely. Harkines contends that his is a case of mistaken identity, and says that another Harkines is the real deserter, a view which is shared by the chief engineer and the officers of the vessel. Harkines is a native of Nebraska, but possesses an alien registration certificate.

fTho case of Paul Freeman came before the people in the first instance through Freeman starting a hunger strike. It had been-ordered that he be deported from Australia to America, but the authorities in America refused to permit him to land, and, in consequence, ho was carried hack and forth across t]:e Pacific several times. He was finally taken ashore in Sydney because his life was stated to be in danger as a result of hunger striking."!