AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 February 1927, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.]

HEALTH COUNCIL’S DECISION (Received tins day at 10.15 a.m.) SYDNEY, Feb. 1

Doctor Dick, Director-General of Public Health who has returned from a meeting of the Federal Health Council at Melbourne, said tile Council discussed the influenza which is raging in Europe, hut decided at present that there is no cause for any unusual preparations to meet tho serious outbreak in Australia:

AIRMEN'S FLY. SYDNEY, Feh. 1

The airmen, Kingston! Smith and Keith Anderson with a mechanic and two passengers arrived from Perth, after an unsuccessful attempt to break a record for the journey. They covered a distance 2.300 Hying miles in 30 Hying hours.

PHENOMENAL RAINFALL. SRDNK V. Feh. 1

The rainfall bulletin issued by the State meteorologist shows that last month phenomenal falls were recorded, the north coast town of Nullumhitnby registering 3-lin.

FLYING FOX PLAGUE. BRISBANE. Feh. 1

The district is suffering from a plague of (lying foxes, millions of which are destroying tho orchards in the district. A drive was organised and 1 11) shooters who fired twelve thousand rounds of ammunition, destroyed many thousands of the pests, hut without making an appreciable difference in the menace to tile orchard industry. It is considered that a national effort should he made to exterminate living foxes. ELECTION CAMPA IGX. SYDNEY, Fell. I. Mr Theodore opened the campaign for Dailey hye-elcctlon. He said it was obvious there was no hope of a vigorous forward policy from tho present Nationalist Government. Then referring to the Imperial Conference he said as far as Australia was concerned the decisions reached there were negligible. It was a misehievious claim of Mr Bruce’s that Australia should have the right to he consulted concerning the British Foreign Policy. Australia could not afford to ho embroiled in England’s continental manoeuvres and as a nation Australia would he wise to mind its own business, and let Britain deal with her own troubles with her neighbours, without involving in any way a Dominion like Australia. Nothing could he more mischievous than the act of the Federal Government in contemplating Australian intervention in China. No foreign people had a shred of justification to interfere there, and such meddling would lie provocative and highly dangerous. The talk of an Australian militaristic adventure in China was criminal madness, and those who aided it were a menace to their own pence and safety. He then referred to the tariff. Tie said a more rigorous application of protectionist principles was the settled policy of the Australian people as it was realised that the hope of attaining full nationhood depended upon development and expansion of secondary industries. Ho concluded hv denying that anywhere under labour rule was there any evidence of the application of extremist doctrines.

ALLEGED CONSPIRACY. SYDNEY, Feb. 1. At the Australian Workers’ Union Congress. Mr Coote (Executive Councillor and Trustee of the Australian Workers’ Union) delivered a statement alleging the 'Vice-President of the Executive Council. Mr Willis with the others entered into a conspiracy with Communists to Sovietise the Australian Labour Party, and .secure control of the party, in order to introduce Soviet legislation. .RACECOURSE DEBTS. .SYDNEY, Fel>. 1. Government has decided to introduce a Bill making debts contracted on race courses recoverable by law. A FIRE. BRISBANE. Feb. 1. A fire at Babingda destroyed nine shops. The damage was many thousands sterling. CARPENTERS’ TROUBLE. BRISBANE, Feb. 1. A compulsory conference of Master Builders’ and Employees in connection with the 40 hours week strike was abortive, and the application of employers for de-registration of the striking Unions will be heard in. the open court to-morrow.

ENDOWMENT SCHEME. SYDNEY. Feb. 1

The adoption bv Che Caucus of Child Endowment, limited to families with an income not exceeding £7 weekly was a distinct setback to the Premier, who addressing the Caucus, contended the Committee’s proposal was impracticable. A. long debate ensued during which a resolution was moved that tho matter be referred back to Mr Piddington. with a request that be declare a straight out basic wage. This was defeated and the endowment scheme was adopted, which it is now estimated will cost eight millions sterling yearly, of which the Government will pay two millions and the remaining six millions will he a charge on industry.