AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume IV, Issue 1275, 14 March 1918, Page 8

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

QUEENSLAND CYCLONE. By Cable. — Press Association. — Copyright. BRISBANE, March 13. Further reports of Sunday's cyclone state that Innisfail, formerly called Geraldton, was completely •wrecked. Practically every house in the district was demolished. Eight persons were killed and many injured. Gordonvale and Atherton, and other places near Cairns, were seriously damaged, and large numbers are homeless. Owing to the disorganisation of communication, it is impossible to ascertain the full extent of the disaster.

ELECTION ISSUES

BRISBANE, March 13. The State elections have been fixed for March 16. The abolition of the Legislative Council is the main issue. The Nationalists oppose the Ryan Government's Socialistic policy, and propose to co-operate with the Federal Government in its efforts to win the war. The Government, if returned, will take it that the people want the abolition of the Legislative Council. UNPROFITABLE CONTROL. (Rec. March 14, 9.10) SYDNEY, March 14. A report tabled in the Assembly says that the State Government control of the coal-mines during the strike period entailed a loss of £15,000. WAR LOAN. (Rcc. March 14, 9.10) SYDNEY, March 14. The war loan campaign will conclude with a "tank week." STOCKS 6FbUTTER. (Rec. Mar. 14, 9.25) MELBOURNE, Mar. 13. A regulation empowers the Commonwealth to requisition stocks of butter pending the formation of a butter pool, BOWSER GOVERNMENT DEFEATED. (Rec. Mar. 14, 9.25) MELBOURNE, Mar. 14. The Bowser Government was defeated by 23 votes to 22 on a motion by the Leader of the Opposition for a nominal reduction of £3O for the railway estimates. Mr Bowser asked for a dissolution, __ intimating that he would resign in the event of a refusal. DECREASE OF INSANITY. (Rec. March 14, 9.10) SYDNEY. March 14. The annual report of the Inspec-tor-General states that the number of cases of insanity is below the average of the last 20 years, and the lowest since 1912, notwithstanding the stress of war conditions, under which an increase might have been anticipated. A MYSTERIOUS DISEASE. (Rec. March 14, 9.10) SYDNEY, March 14. Scientific investigations of a mysterious disease which is still claiming victims, shows that germs, breathed in and carried by the blood to the various organs, especially the .„ brain, burst through the little bloodvessels, causing local inflamation; but the patient is killed so rapidly through interference with the vital centres of the brain that there is not time for the germ to fully develop. ; In other areas the disease is very fatal, 00 per cent, of the victims dying. It is confined to two or three months of the year, particularly January and February. It seldom attacks females, and never adult females. A VALUABLE LESSON. (Rec. March 11, 9.10) SYDNEY, March 14. The Hon. G. W. Fuller claims that during the recent strike the Government was able to administer a lesson which he believed would be productive of much good, and be appreciated by the workers now. Had there been saner unionism and better relations between emSloyers and employees there would e better industrial conditions.