AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19000, 24 October 1923, Page 7

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

THE NATIONALIST CONFERENCE. IMPERIALISTIC RESOLUTIONS. Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright SYDNEY, October 23. The National Conference adopted the following resolution :—' ‘That congratulations be cabled to Mr Bruce for liis "d----vocacy of Empire Preference, which is in the highest interests of Great Britain as well as of the dominions.” Resolutions were also carried stating that the time had arrived when the Empire's statesmen should think and act in terms of the Empire rather than of isolated States. The party platform was, amended by declaring that the Australian naval policy should take the form of co-operation with the Imperial navy and the other dominions, with a view to maintaining an adequate Imperial fleet in the Pacific. The conference also decided that no increase should be made in the salaries of Federal members unless the electors were consulted. IMMIGRATION POLICY DEFENDED. SYDNEY, October 23. (Received Oct. 23, at 10.25 p.m.) The National Conference passed a resolution in favour of compelling all Governments to provide a sinking fund for all loans, past or future. Speaking at a luncheon to the delegates, Sir George Fuller said that criticism ot the Government’s immigration policy was based on entirely mistaken ideas and false premises. What appeared to be the weakness of the scheme was its boldness and comprehensiveness, which caused timid people to be unnecessarily apprehensive.

HEAT WAVE IN NEW SOUTH WALES. SYDNEY, October 23. A sudden beat wave torched Dbdrg in the city. Numbers of country places report temperatures of over lOOdeg. Bourke reached lOSdeg. STAGE HANDS’ STRIKE. MELBOURNE, October 23. Owing to a dispute with a company the stage hands in Stveral theatres refused to commence work when the curtain was ready to go up. The performances were abandoned and the money returned to the people „ (Received Oct. 23, at 10.25 p.m.) The theatrical proprietors, who are calling for volunteers, are meeting with a good response. Many of the actors last night worked as scene-shifters, enabling most of the performances to be carried on. The companies and the employees conferred to-day. The result is not known. DR THOMPSON’S CASE. SYDNEY, October 23. (Received Oct. 23, at 8.20 p.m.) The Medical Journal has withdrawn the proposed appeal against the verdict of £IOOO damages awarded Dr Thompson. The hearing was commenced on September 19 of a case in which Dr George Stanley Thompson claimed £SOOO damages for alleged libel from the Medical Journal of Australia. The action was the outcome of comments on the case of Mrs Farr. Dr Thompson was awarded £IOOO.