AUSTRALIAN SPORTS

Grey River Argus, 18 June 1942, Page 4

AUSTRALIAN SPORTS

SYDNEY, June 17. Because of the restrictions on the use of rubber, football, tennis, golf and cycling are threatened with extinction for the duration. The position is acute and executives of sporting clubs will make representations to the Federal. Government. It vzill be urged that it is necessary to maintain the morale of the public by way of sport, which also played a big part in national fitness. Unless bladders are obtainable, footballers in the near future may be compelled to play the game with a case stuffed with rag. The present stocks of golf balls are sufficient to last the season, but afterwards it may he the occasion for reverting to the ‘‘featheries” of olden days.

Petrol and Rubber EXCESSIVE USE BY ARMY ALLEGED (Special to N.Z. Press Assn.) (Rec. 12.0) SYDNEY, June 17. With petrol and rubber conservation urgently needed the Australian Government is inquiring into the alleged excessive use of cars by Array officers. It is probable that the British method of dealing by courtmartial with officers and men using cars without authority will be adopted. The Air Minister (Mr Drakeford) states that several .'R.A.A.F. officers have already been courtmartialled for using petrol illegally with the result that petrol pilfering has been reduced to a low level. STATE AUTONOMY LIKELY TO DISAPPEAR (Rec. 12.0) MELBOURNE, June 17. Federal Ministers are confident that the States appeal to the- High Court on the taxation issue will fail, but should it succeed, the Government is most unlikely to carry the case to the Privy Council. Instead it is expected tn conduct an immediate referendum designed to give the Federal Parliament supreme legislative and executive authority. This proposal has Mr Fadden’s wholehearted support. He points out that to-day, with Australia so gravely threatened, he is confident that the people would unhesitatingly give the Commonwealth all the powers it desired.