AUSTRALIAN.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 March 1922, Page 1

AUSTRALIAN.

VOBTUALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION LIMBLESS SOLDIERS’ PROTEST. SYDNEY, March 25 The Limbless Soldiers’ Association adopted a resolution opposing the resumption of trade with Germany, which is regarded as a willingness to place lust for gold before the principle, with which soldiers were imbued during the war.

FEDERAL MATTERS. MELBOURNE, March 25 The Federal Cabinet will next week take steps to assist graziers in consequence of the depression in the local meat market, especially Queensland. The Minister of Customs makes a recommendation to Cabinet on Friday.

WIRELESS AGREEMENT. MELBOURNE, March 25

The Commonwealth accepted tlie recommendation of the special Parliamentary Committee appointed to enquire into the wireless scheme to connect Australia with England and decided to enter into nil agreement with the Amalgamated Wireless Ltd. Mr Hughes announced lie would publish the details of the agreement on Monday.

HELPING PRIMARY INDUSTRIES BRISBANE, March 26.

A conference representative of the dairy industry has opened here, at which the Premier, Hon. Mr Theodore, elaborated the Government’s policy for the stabilisation of the primary industries of the State. The conference has decided to appoint an Advisory Board for the dairying industries, with power to appoint an export administrative staff. The cost of this during the first year will be defrayed by the Government After that the cost will be contributed by the individual suppliers. The Board will consists of seven members, five being appointed by the conference and two by the Government.

YOUNG BUSHRANGERS. MELBOURNE, March 26. Two boys, named Robert Banks and John Maple, each 16 years of age, escaped from the Reformatory Home in Castlemaine and at Royal Park they entered a store and stole some articles. Next they proceeded to Neerim South in Gippsland, where they stole rifles and ammunition and goods worth £IOO sterling. The pair then appeared before a farmer’s house in the same district, early in the morning, and they fired 12 shots into it. The farmer’s daughter narrowly escaped being shot. Police then followed the boys, who took to the hush. During the chase there, a constable received a bulletthrough his hat. Police, black trackers, and armed volunteers parties next joined in the search. Banks was captured but Maple escaped, in some thick bush, where, although surrounded, he is making a determined stand against 40 police and practically every armed man in the district.

While attempting to rush Maple’s position, one volunteer searcher was shot, and fell from his horse, bnt he was only slightly wounded.

QUEENSLAND CASE. BRISBANE, March 26. A further ease of plague is reported in Brisbane. Since the commencement of the outbreak, 60,000 rats have been destroyed in the metropolitan area.