AUSTRALIAN AFFAIRS

Evening Star, Issue 17766, 14 September 1921, Page 4

AUSTRALIAN AFFAIRS

Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Press Association. VICTORIAN POLITICS. CENSURE MOTION REJECTED. MELBOURNE, September 14. (Received September 14, at 10.15 a.m.) In tho Assembly the Lawoon Ministry survived the censure motion which was moved by Mr Prendergast (Labor). The motion was defeated by 37 votes to 26. Seven members of the Farmers’ Party voted with tho Government and five against it. FLOUR PRICES. SYDNEY, September 14. (Received September 14, at 10.15 a.m.) Tho State Wheat Board has increased the price of flour by 10s per ton. It is now quoted at £2O 17s 6d. LABOR ORGANISATION. MELBOURNE, September 14. - (Received September 14, at 10.15 a.m.) The Labor Council is convening . a special conference for October 4 to consider the formation of an industrial group, in accordance with the recommendation of the All-Australia Conference which sat at Melbourne. THE “DIGGER” LOAN. MELBOURNE, September 14. (Received September 14, at 10.15 a.m.) Sir Joseph Cook announced that the “Digger” £10,000,000 loan will be fully subscribed. QUEENSLAND’S FINANCES. BRISBANE, September 14. (Received September 14, at 10.15 a.m.) In the Assembly the Premier (Mr J. Theodore), in his Financial Statement said that ho-anticipated that the revenue for the current year would be £12,270,000 and tho expenditure £12,735,000. CATTLE HERD IMPROVEMENT. ADELAIDE, September 13. The Stale Treasurer announced at the Agricultural Conference that the Government had decided to legislate to provide for tho annual registration of all bulls, “PUSSYFOOT” JOHNSON. ADELAIDE, September 13* Mr “Pussyfoot” Johnson has arrived in order to study Prohibition prospects in Australia. He says that if the United States remains dry Great Britain will bo dry by 1930. THE BEACONSFIELD MURDERS. MELBOURNE, September 14. (Received September 14, at 10.15 a.m.) The Crown Law Department has abandoned the charges against John King and Edward Jenkins, who were arrested in connected with the murder of the Siieards at Beaconsfield.

[ln tho Practice Court, Melbourne, on August 30 Mr L. B. Cussen applied to Air Justice Cussen to grant bail to Edward Jenkins, formerly of Latrobe street, Aidbourne, mechanic, who had been committed by tho coroner for trial, with John King, for the alleged murder of Frederick and Alice Sheard at Bcaconsfield (an aged couple) on June 12. Jenkins made an a!lidavit in support of tho application, in which ho said ho owned a yellow motor car. F,o had given tho police full and accurate/ statements respecting his movements and tho movements of the car. The detectives had confronted him with several persons living in Bcaconsfield district, who would not say that lie was one of the mon alleged to have been seen by them in a yellow motor car on June 12, or at any other date, at Bcaconsfield. At the conclusion of the inquest on the Shoards the coroner said thcro was a prima facie case against King, and-in reply to a question as to deponent (Jenkins) -it was said by Air Scott Murphy, who appeared for the Crown, that he did not put it that there was sufficient evidence to commit Jenkinsj after which the coroner added that if Jenkins were there, and with the other men who committed the murders, it was for Jenkins to clear himself. Jenkins, continuing his affidavit, said he was totally innocent of taking any part in the alleged murders, and was in no way directly or indirectly concerned in them. He had never had any dealings, relations, or iransactiohs in any shape or form with John King. Tho only occasion when lie was ever in King’s company was when ho accompanied King- and the detectives to Bcaconsfield. His application for bail was made only in the interests of justice, and in order that he might not bo prejudiced or embarrassed in tho preparation of his defence. Mr O’Neill, representing the Crown Law authorities, said, from what Detective-ser-geant Commons, who was present, had said, he understood there was no objection to accused being allowed out on bait, providing a substantial amount was fixed.

His Honor said Jenkins would,, be granted bail in £I,OOO on one surety to be approved by the Crown Solicitor* Bail was later offered and provided, and Jenkins was allowed out until his trial.]