Gossip from Sydney.

Free Lance, Volume XVII, Issue 915, 25 January 1918, Page 19

Gossip from Sydney.

Deak Chkistabeii, — "Tin'lLL any country, the wide world * * over, which has been asked, to conscript itself, kindly step forward and hit Australia below the belt? What? No reply? No word from some far-off land which has had a referendum and nobly—by the grace of its trades unions, etc. —answered "Yes?" Not even a whisper comes this way 1 * * * * Australia being the only place since the beginning of Time in which that section of the inhabitants that will not take a decent part in fighting for Liberty have been asked to vote that they shall be made to, asks for a clearer understanding. Canada was preparing a thumping "No"—per its FrenchCanadians and other mixed nationalities there resident—had" its statesmen been such fools as to ask them. "Sir Wilfred Laurier's following." says an Englishman recently in Canada, "did its best to get a referendum on Conscription. But every wisehead realised the 'No' that would be inevitable, and had besides, the example of Australian politics,' to avoid. So Canada gets the physic that is best for it, and there is an end of the matter." ■ ■ . . * * ' *■■ * New Zealand would have voted "No," and many of the Dominion's legislators and leading citizens over here on a visit at different times since the 1916 fiasco have frankly said so. It is only a matter of counting heads. Trades unionists, as a whole, are, as loyal as any other self-respecting citizens. But they have a stubborn fear of the mild thing we call "Conscription." To them is added the I.W.W. lover of any country but his own and you get "No" all the time. * * » * . The point is this: Australia as a nation, feeling its way and making the mistakes common to youth, bitterly resents gibes from other Dominions which have had Conscription, very properly, thrust down their throats, without this futile appeal to the ballot box. Say what you will of politicians who have got us into this hideous impasse, but don't wipe your pens on a . people who have, on a population basis—l quote reliable authority —beaten every record in voluntary gifts to patriotic funds. New South Wales alone has given nearly £3,500,000 to war funds (not war-loans remember) by private subscription since the European struggle began. The latest total for France's Day only" brings the figures up to £222,000! * * * * The French residents here describe themselves as "bewildered" at a generosity which makes any attempt to finally wind up accounts abortive. Wayback settlements go on raising money indefinitely, and who can cry "Enough!" Miss Miles has gone to Christchurch, New Zealand, where her sister, Mrs. Firth, will be her hostess. * * * * Mr. Norman Brookes, the champion tennis player of peace time, is at present in India. His health has been too precarious to enable him to join many other good sports in the fields of Flanders. But he has done considerable war-work of a less strenuous nature and is better than when he left Australia. * * * * Dr. J. G. Hughes, of Rockhampton (Queensland), came to this water-front at Christmas to meet his fiancee, Miss Phoebe Crawford, formerly of the Auckland Central Mission. The wedding took place when the New Zealand lady arrived, .and Dr. and Mrs. Hughes left for their home up north on December 26. ■fr * - 45- * A son of .the late militant Presbyterian parson (the Rev. Dr. DillMacky), was married this week in the Scots' Church. This was his father's old kirk, and it was decked with white flowers for the occasion. Mr. Richard Dill-Macky's bride was Miss Olwen Morgan, daughter of a Presbyterian minister at Strathfield. Her lovely wedding gown was an innovation from the white frock flecked with pink which has been so much the vogue. Though one feels a sentimental affection for the all-in-white bride, it was a charming vision, in gold-tinted tulle, over shimmering gold tissue, who took her new husband's arm down, the aisle of the old Scots' Church. A long, veil was held in place with sprays of orange blossom, and in her hand was a fairy-like bouquet of pink rosebuds and stephanotis veiled in very fine maidenhair fern. The bridesmaids, Miss Kathleen Morgan and Miss Elsie Hewitt, were dainty attendants in heliotrope and gold tulle. The effect was so striking * that perhaps we shall have many golden, weddings. * • .* * * Sir Alex. McCormick and Lady McCormick are shortly returning. Our

greatest surgeon had an important position in France, and his return to Australia was not expected just yet. His eldest son was killed at the Front a few months ago, and his only remaining boy has gone to the same fighting zone on the Western side. *'* » # Mr. Joynton Smith's eye trouble has proved more serious than anticipated, and he is still in a private hospital. A Deputy-Mayor in his stead is likely to be appointed this week. * * * * There has been a breeze in Anniversary Day's Regatta Committee rooms. Judge Backhouse (president) has been against holding the regatta again till the war is over. The Secretary is of the same opinion. On the other hand, the Committee claim, with some reason, that the continuity, of this, the most historic gathering in New South Wales, should not be broken. So many leading, yachtsmen are at the Front the regatta last year was a very small affair—still, it took place. The wedding of Mr. Douglas Davys, of Rotorua, New Zealand, and Miss Hazel Sledge, of Roseville, near Sydney, took place in St. Stephen's Church, Sydney. The bride, who was given away by Mr. C. G. Sledge, her father, was in a soft shade of pink silk net, over taffetas. The skirt was very finely tucked, and the bodice trimmed with orange blooms. Instead of a veil, she. wore a dainty hat of gossamer white lace with tiny pink buds. Longpink and white tulle streamers (a great vogue this season) hung from the bridal bouquet of rosebuds. Her sister, Miss Muriel Sledge, was bridesmaid. In pale lemon coloured net over silk, a big blue sash with a Japanese bow at the back gave a vivid note of colour. Pale blue and pink are frequently mixed together this season. Miss Sledge's tulle hat in a faint lime shade, was trimmed with these contrasting flowers, and 1 her bouquet repeated the delicate colour scheme. Mr. and Mrs. Davys are going on to Rotorua. as part of their honeymoon trip, but their home is to be in Sydney. * * * * The Rev. Father Lockington, S.J.. rector of St Patrick's College, Melbourne, is now Superior of the Jesuit Order in Australia. He is a New Zealander by birth and occasionally comes to Sydney. Father Lockington paid a visit to New Zealand not very long ago. * * * # Out of the cretonne craze the parasol, in the fashionable San Toy shape, and the bag, are the outstanding survivors. Nothing is prettier for the. summer girl than the well-chosen chintz sunshade. Birds peeking at fruit or casting sidelong glances at sprays of flowers, are featured in the most chic designs. Wide and shady hats lined with painted replicas of the chintz bag design are only for the girl with a silver lining to her purse. Whole dresses of cretonne have not found much favour, the whole blouse with a gailycoloured skirt being in better taste for mountain or seaside. Best of all is the white muslin frock, depending for its " smart new season touch on parasol, bag, and dainty hat with the bright chintz flower garden as a relief. * * * » ■Nigger brown georgette with a tracing of gold or silver embroidery here and there is a useful midsummer afternoon frock. Made up over a white Jap silk slip, it is cool and light looking, and does not want the constant laundry attention of the pastel shades. And this year we have to look to the washer lady's little bills and cut them down to an economical total. * * * * At St. James's Church, on the last day of the sad old year. Miss Marie White,- of Auckland, New Zealand, was married to Mr. William N. Beaumont, eldest son of the late Mr. J. T. Beaumont, of "Murringo" Station, in the big pastoral district near Young, New South Wales. Miss Elsie Bruce (New Zealand) was bridesmaid, and Lieut. A. C. McPhillamy was best man. After the wedding breakfast, the newly married pair went to the Mountains for their honeymoon. Yours discursively, Ron a.