AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume XXIII, 25 May 1922, Page 8

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

PRESBYTERIAN PROFESSIONS.

CHURCH’S PRESENT ATTITUDE. Press Assn. —By Tel. —Copyright. SYDNEY, May 24. The Presbyterian Assembly after a lengthy debate, adopted in a slightly amended form Dr Harper’s resolutions mentioned in Saturday’s cables dealing with the declaration of faith, sent them for consideration by the General Assembly of Australia. Dr Harper explained that the aim of the resolution was that modern philosophy should not be allowed to creep into Christianity. The revision of the Confession was necessary. In its new form it should occupy 40 lines instead of 40 pages, and contain only the acceptance of belief in the Deity and the omnipotence of the Christian. The Rev. John Edwards, whose address from the Moderator’s chair last year was the cause of Dr Harper’s action, said that certain statements of his, which had given rise to the present proposals, were made in order to provoke thought. He believed more firmly in the essentials of their doctrine than he had ever done before. He appealed for freedom of thought and speech. The Assembly subsequently adopted the Rev. J. Button’s resolution “That whereas our standard creeds arose out of problems and controversies of a». age long passed, and therefore clothed in thought, forms, philosophical and theological of a time very different from the present, that the General Assembly of Australia be requested to appoint a Committee to make full inquiry with a view to determining what attitude the Presbyterian Church of to-day should adopt towards those creeds and confessions, more particularly the Westminster Confession and the Catechism, the Committee to report to the next Assembly.”

ANTI-VIVISECTIONISTS. THE FOUNDER’S OPINION. MELBOURNE, May 24. James Robinson, head of a sect known as the Anti-Vivisectionists in Victoria, has founded a church in Melbourne, which is the first of its kind in the world. He states that one day the whole Christian Church will become antivivisectionists. In the meantime his sect will carry on the fight against vivisection.

GAS WORKERS’ PAY. REQUEST REFUSED. MELBOURNE, May 24. The Metropolitan Gas Company has refused a request by the Union to discuss the rates of pay fixed by the award. STRIKE DECLARED OFF.

The electrical employees strike has been declared off, and work will be resumed to-day, conditional on the early hearing of the case by the Arbitration Court.

DISBANDMENT POSSIBLE. SYDNEY, May 24. Sir Arthur Rickard, chairman of the Guarantee Committee, received a letter from Mr Verbrugghen stating that if he returns it must be the end to all petty interferences with his work, and the moneys due must be paid to him before returning. The committee will meet to-day to discuss the position, and also to consider disbanding the Orchestra or reducing its strength.

MRS BESANT’S DEFENCE

RETURNING GOOD FOR EVIL. SYDNEY, May 24. Mrs Besant, in a letter to the Press, says that Mr Piddington has been misinformed regarding the facts. She has not referred to Bishop Leadbeater’s challenges to the Court, because he has not been accused of a crime and she only referred to the Court cases of those accused of crimes.

She reiterates that the allegations against Bishop Leadbeater were judicially investigated, and he was cleared of all blame. .She expresses confidence in Bishop Leadbeater’s high character and splendid service, both public and private and does not believe in trial by a public meeting. Nor does she propose to return evil for evil by bringing accusations against others.

She disbelieves the accusations, and disassociates herself from the accusers’ line of action.

[A message yesterday stated: Mr A. B. Peddington has resigned the presidency of the Public Questions Society of Sydney University, as he is unable to agree to the invitation to Mrs Besant to address the students. In his letter, lie explained that the Society is in search of truth, and as Mrs Besant refused? inquiry into Bishop Leadbeater’s career, she is obviously out of her element, and not entitled to be heard by a Society existing for the pursuit of truth.)

TWO MEN FOUND DEAD. RETURNED SOLDIERS FATE. PERTH May 24. Three returned seldiere, Rogers, Wynne and Edwards were jointly farm ing near Wagin. Rogers arrived in the township and reported that after hearing two shots at the homestead he encountered Wynne, who t‘ toned to shoot him. The police visited the fan and found Edwards shot dead in the muse, and Wynne with his throat cut nd fatally shot a mile away. The cause of the tragedy not disclosed. STOCK DRINKING PLACES POLLUTED. SYDNEY , May 24. M’ild fowl have invaded the lagoons I and lakes in the Narrate district in countless thousands. There has been ; much shooting but without much apI parent effect, and as the lakes are dry- : ing up the congestion of birds is pol- ' luting the dams and other stock drinking places. Owing to the shortage of aquatic plant growth through the dry season, the birds are invading the paddocks adjacent to their haunts, from which they are eating out the grass and herbage. SCENE OF TRAGIC DESERTION. STRIKE IN NEWCASTLE. SYDNEY, May 24. Four thousand men ar- rendered idle through the closing the steelworks at Newcastle, and “city of steel” carries in every street, the appearance of tragic desertion. If the works are closed for any length of time tlie distress will be very Although rhe Government has commenced refief works it is -'tinted that the company will not entertain any thought of recommencing until wages and the price of coal are jioA further reduced. MOST RESPECTED LiNDU. LONDON, May 23. Sir Valentine Chirol, speaking at the East India Associate; described [Mr Sastri as probably out .the most remarkable Hindus, certainly one of the most respected. Mr > at the London, Geneva, and Washington Conferences displayed dignity and bearing, mastery of the Engli- > Language, rare eloquence, and elevation oi thought, which, combined i/ith. modesty and self-restraint showed hat India at the best was producing AWARD IMPOSSIBLE. SYDNEY. May 24. The Executive Council of the Australian Workers’ Union , Jed on a strike of the pastoral indutey through, out the Commonwealth, excepting Queensland, which is work tig under a State award. Members have been instr roted not to accept less than £2 pt: iJO, which is 5s more than Mr Ju.-iia-?. Power’s award. The Executive wired to . secretary of the Graziers’ Federal Cu-ancil, stating that “We regard the ward as impossible. Prepared to i b your representatives at conferem ; bo discuss the position.” The graziers replied th; . there was. no necessity to furthei : cuss the award, which was issued fter fully hearing both sides on th- conditions applying to-day. “We nd to observe the award, and expt.'s the Union to do likewise.” In a statement to the Press the graziers’ secretary remarked that arbitration was doomed. Th-- shearers refused to abide by the - t award against them. ' 50,000 WORKERS AFFE MED. SYDNEY May 24. Fifty thousand pastoral workers will be affected by the shearers’ strike. Fears have been expressed that tlie strike will extend to the coal miners and other unions, but the Australian Workers’ Union officials state that there is- nothing to fear tr. this direction. PRESBYTERIAN ASSi. ABLY. MELBOURNE. May 24. The Rev. John Mackenzie chairman of the Public Questions Committee of the Presbyterian State A--- ably, Victoria and Tasmania, sai-r «he situation in the New Hebrides ..-as going from bad to worse. He mged the Church to again protest gainst the condominium, and the <>■ nance of conditions which were honouring the flag, and a reproach tee Christianity of the nation. SYDNEY HARBOUR BRIDGE. SYDNEY May 24. The Cabinet discussed the visit to America of Mr Bradfield, . vernment Engineer, who is prosecute , inquiries abroad respecting the construction of the Sydney harbour bridge, and decided to advise Mr Bradfield to remain in America pending further instructions.

VOLUNTARY WHEAT POOL FAVOURED BY GOVERNMENT. Sydney, this day. Though the Government favours a

voluntary wheat pool for 1 i year it will not be a party | guarantee. POOR LAMBING PROsp] Sydney, t|j Reports from some sheep $ indicate poor ! mbing pro*pe fl ing to the late fry weather. RABBITS AGAIN PREVAj •Eup siqq ‘AaupXg Other distri !,■ report that, are again ver y numerous ai causing great -I ruction. ANOTHER A JITICAL p[ Sydney, thj The mouse plague has bro; light a new p j.fitical develi Many dead m ■■ found round were swarmin; ./'th the inite s on e handling tim bodise beii, t fested and s if! yr.-; severe in and breaking -imi tortured st the results ar-- inflamed sores. The Government entomologj identified the mile ag lipyonoi coti of para-’ 4 m.nl habits, pr e known as inf -st ing produce only. The possibility of the mite | ing a cheek on the mice pG mooted.