AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Southland Times, Issue 18984, 19 November 1920, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

NEW SOUTH WALES WHEAT SCANDAL. A CABINET QUARREL. (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) SYDNEY, November 18. A Ministerial squabble has arisen out of the Wheat Scandal Commission. Mr McGirr (Minister of Health) has taken exception to statements made by Mr Dooley (Chief Secretary) alleged to imply that he (McGirr) was intriguing for the deputyleadership of the party. A wordy warfare is proceeding in the newspapers, with the seeds of a possible Ministerial crisis. A SERIOUS SPLIT. TERMS OF THE COMMISSION. SYDNEY, November 18. (Received November 18, 9.15 p.m.) The Labour Party sitting in caucus discussed the terms of the commission issuing to Mr Justice Pring to inquire into the graft allegations. Great bitterness characterised some of the speeches, indicating the seriousness of the split in the party. The moderates admit that unless harmony is restored the life of the Ministry may be jeopardised. The terras of Mr Justice Pring's commission, which is under the Boorabil Act, empower him to say whether any money was paid by any person as an inducement to any member of the Ministry to close the Wheat Commission.

SHIPBUILDING INQUIRY. DEFECTIVE WORK DENIED. SYDNEY, November 18. (Received November 18, 10.20 p.m.) At the shipping inquiry one of Kidman and Mayoh’s employees whose statement to the effect that he made dumps which could be used as dummies was submitted yesterday, said he would not necessarily have used dummies as they had a legitimate use. He did not intend to allege fraud. The manager of Cockatoo Island dockyard gave evidence that hogging might be due to other causes than dummy fastenings. The secretary of the Wharf Carpenters’ Union, was employed in the building of the ships, denied that dummies were used, stating that if he saw such a thing he would have reported it to the union. The report of the officers appointed to conduct tests as to whether dummies were used was read. It stated that after examination they were satisfied that the work had been faithfully carried out.

The Commission adjourned to Melbourne.

WAR PRECAUTIONS ACT. NOTICE OF REPEAL MOTION. MELBOURNE, November 18. In the House of Representatives, Mr Groom gave notice of motion to repeal the War Precautions Act. CARGO PILFERING. CONSIDERATION IN PARLIAMENT. MELBOURNE, November 19. Mr Best, in moving the adjournment to consider waterfront pilfering, stated that the losses yearly ranged from £500,000 to £1,000.000. Mr Hughes said he favoured a searching inquiry. He incidentally mentioned that the general body of wharf labourers were honest men. KALGOORLIE BY-ELECTION. THE WRIT ISSUED. PERTH, November 18. The writ for the Kalgoorlie election has been isued. Polling will take place on December 18. QUEENSLAND FINANCE. COMPULSORY LOAN BILL. BRISBANE, November 18. In the Assembly, the Premier, Mr Theodore, introduced a bill on the same lines asc Sir Joseph Cook’s, providing for a compulsory loan if necessary'. The amount of the loan will probably be 2,000,000. No person receiving less than £IOOO per annum will be compelled to subscribe.