AUSTRALIAN AFFAIRS.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17061, 4 February 1921, Page 7

AUSTRALIAN AFFAIRS.

DISTRESSING FATALITY. (By Cab]®—Press Association—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assooiation.) HOBART, February 3. As a sequel to the Governor-Gen-eral's accident to his knee when yachting, the Governor of Tasmania, Sir "William Allardyce, undertook to fill the gap at the public function at Launceston. The vice-regal party, including Lady Forster, was proceeding in motors, when the one conveying Lady Forster's maid, with the luggage, overturned, and the maid was killed. The party abandoned. the trip. WEST AUSTRALIA!? POLITICS. PERTH, February 3. _ Mr P. Collier, Leader of the Opposition, opened tho election campaign of the Labour Party. He announced that the policy included taxation of unimproved land values, initiative and referendum, reduction of members of Parliament, universal suffrage for Legislative Council or its abolition, and the disposing of State Governors. There must be a fundamental and economic reconstruction. Labour stood not for Red revolution, but for a complete reform of existing society. THE PROHIBITION POLL. * SYDNEY, February 3. Mr J. Dooley (Chief Secretary), defending the Ministry against tne prohibition criticism (for failing to take the prohibition poll), charged Mr W. A. Holman (who sent a letter of approval to the Sydney prohibition meeting) with hypocrisy and insincerity in providing for a referendum with_ compensation, and meanwhile negotiating with the Repatriation Department to settle soldiers on an irrigation area for the exclusive purpose of vine-growing, ARBITRATION COURT PRESIDENT. SYDNEY. February 3. Mr Justice Ewing (President of the Arbitration Court) has communicated with Mr J. Dooley (New South Wales Chief Secretary), asking that the Australian Workers' Union conference withdraw the proposal that he should' be appointed to the New South Wales Supreme Court Bench. Evep if the | appointment were made, ha said, he ! had no'desire to leave Tasmania. I ANTI-PROFITEERING CAMPAIGN. (Received Febrnarv 3rd, 7.30 p.m.) I SYDNEY, February 3: An anti-profiteering campaign under the recently-passed Bill, is being aotively pushed, a number of traders being prosecuted for overcharging. AERIAL MAIL SERVICE. (Received February 3rd, 10.10 p.m.) MELBOURNE, February 3. After a meeting of the Air Council, Senator Pearce stated the Gov&nment would shortly be, starting an experimental aerial mail service. SEDITIOUS LITERATURE PROHIBITED. (Received February 3rd, 10.10 p.m.) MELBOURNE, February 3. A Federal proclamation prohibits the importation of literature advocating the overthrow of the Commonwealth by violence or force of law, or the abolition of Government, or teaching unlawful destruction of property. I ,