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Colonist, Volume LXI, Issue 15075, 19 May 1919, Page 2

.An audacious attack by footpads toot place in the Treasury Garjiei^, East Melbourne, at about 10 o'clock on the night of Ist May, when a.young man, Frank Oldham, was not only robbed" of what money he had, but was also stripped to his shirt. Oldham (says the "Argus"), who was formefy, a soldier in the Near Zealand forces, -had been visiting a friend living in East Melbourne. On his way home he walked through the Treasury Gardens^ and near the Treasury Buildings two men jumped over a fence and made for him. They attacked him, rendering him unconscious by a blow in the face, and rifled his pockets, taking about 255, a gold 'ring set with moonstone, and his soldier's 'badge. Iney also stripped off his boots and socks and his-suit.. When he recovered consciousness he found himself numbed with the cold.. A passing soldier lent,.him his overcoat in ■which^p return to his friend's house, and on, their way there they fell in with a ponsiable,. who also lent his overcoat. .fv Cha getting fresh, clothing Oldham niadb a formal report of the outrage to the police. . ;

Referring to the new Progressive Party, a writer in the Auckland "Star"' says: The new party is persevering in its intent to introduce progress, and at a recent meeting in Auckland it was claimed that representatives of all political parties were either present or accounted for. This is true in fact, buthardly in spirit, for of twenty-two ori xwenty-three members who are adherents of the new faith, all but three are , members of one party in the House, -^wo of the three arc Liberal members, anu of these, one is known-to ho very ' shaky in his new belief, and likely to recant at the first cry of "Mice!' Labour was also represented, but took no active part in the proceedings of the conference, the solitary member from the Radical benches being more in the nature \ of a curious onlooker. It is understood that one of the main planks in che platform of the new Progressive Party is a ■ modified form of the elective executive —in other words, the election of the executive 'by the party in power. It was decided at this conference to adhere to; political pledges during the remainderl ci the present Parliament, but ■ before the next general election the country is promised a full announcement of policy which, it is claimed, will be of the most' . progressive character, and framed with vie purpose of- meeting the needs of' both town ' and country. Those who <ibnnd- aloof from this little coalition of; progress or who view it with openly expressed distrust, are meanwhile suggesting Lhat this new political lifeboat is in danger of being wrecked by its own crew, as many another has been before ii.. - When it comes to a question of unal issues, the average member of Parliament prefers to go do^vn with the old flag nailed to. the mast, even though it bo a bit tattered, rather than seek personal' safety in a lifeboat built out of planking hastily torn from the ship itself. ' • i