AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17944, 25 May 1920, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

MURDER TRIAL. SYDNEY, May 24. (Received May 24, at 9.50 p.m.) Tho trial of Leslie Worrell, charged with murdering his wife, has commenced, and is arousing great public intcrost. The medical evidence shows that tho wound could have been self-inflicted. [A Sydney cablo message on February 26 stated that tho body of a woman found in the scrub at Sutherland had been identified tis tho wife of Constable Worrall, who recently i (.'turned from tho front. She was mairied on Christmas Evo.] BRISBANE TO PERTH. UNIFORM RAILWAY GAUGE. MELBOURNE, May 24. (Received May 24, at 11.25 p.m.) Details of the proposals submitted by Mr Hughes to the Premiers' Conference for a umfui'm railway gauge show it is intended to connect the capitals from Brisbane u> Perth with a 4ft gauge, the mainland States to contribute the cost on a per capita basis, tho Commonwealth also to. contribute its quota, and Eo make arrangements for raising the money by issuing non-negotiablo bonds for a fixed period. A motion was carried recommending I each Stato to legislate for the control of air navigation pending the passage of commonwealth legislation. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. SYDNEY, May 24. A further batch of enemy subjects will shortly be deported from Australia., in f eluding Father Jerger and Dr Hirschifield. Many churches held Empire services on Sunday, when appeals were .made for unity and concord. Mr Hughes, in a message to the Empire League, says: "War is strengthening the bonds of kinship, despite insidious counsels and disruption, which have failed to separate us during the war, and will also fad in peace time." (Received May 24, at 11.25 p.m.) Cabinet has issued a proclamation calling for returns of all stocks of wheat and flour. Mr Dunn (Minister of Agriculture), referring to the fodder shortage, stated' that while stock was starving inland, agents were holding up supplies to secure enhanced values. Mr Dunn threatens to commandeer supplies unless conditions are altered. Empire Day was celebrated by all tho schools, and many public gatherings were held, the city being decorated with bunt-' ing. > (Received Mav 24, at 7.45 p.m.) Owing to the fall in the price of silver, the Federal Government has decided to abandon the proposal to issue 5s notes The issue of soldiers' wa.r gratuity bonds started to-day. * (Received May. 24, at 9.50 p.m.) No further Cases of influenza nave been reported on the minesweeper Geranium, and the vessel has been released from quarantine. ADELAIDE, Mav 24. (Received May 24, at 9.50 p.m.) Serious railway trouble ,is owing to the demand of the men for increased wages. If the Government refuses to grant increases a strike ballot will be taken. The Peace Exhibition lias closed, after being in progress for 50 days, during which the attendances numbered 450,000.