LATEST CABLES.

Feilding Star, Volume I, Issue 28, 2 August 1906, Page 2

LATEST CABLES.

(By Electric Telegraph — Copyright.) Press Association. Received August 2, 8.41 a.m. PAN-AMERICAN CONGRESS. New York, Wednesday. Mr Elihu Root, American Seoretary of State, addressing the Pan-American Congress, explained that its chief function was to secure a policy of mutual aid between the sisterhoods of American Republics which desired no sovereignty except over themselves. He hoped that all would shortly be recognised at the Hague Convention , as legal Sovereign States whioh would constitute a world-formed acceptance of the declaration that no part of the American contindnt was open to colonisation. BETTING SUPPRESSION. London, Wednesday. In the House of Commons the Street Betting Bill was read a second time without a division. Mr H. Gladstone, Home Secretary, denied that the Bill was a sop to the Nonconformist conscience, both houses of convocation having urged its adoption. THE NAVY. The Prime Minister, Sir Henry Campbell - Bannerman, in reply to Lieut. Bellairs, stated that no new standard had been adopted for the maintenance of the navy. SOUTH AFRICAN LAND SETTLEMENT. , Capetown, Wednesday. The Cape Government has ordered an enquiry into the stress of the closer settlement system in Australasia. AUSTRALIAN ITEMS. Sydney, Wednesday. In a case against the Commonwealth, wherein the owner of the ship Envy sought to make the defendants resposible for the seizure of the vessel by the New Guinea officials, the High Court decided that though certain resolutions had been passed, the Federal Parliament accepting New Guinea as put of the Commonwealth terri-; tory, the necessary proclamation relative to Government territory had not been issued. Strictly speaking, there was no relation of New Guinea to the Commonwealth, therefore the Commonwealth was net responsible for the acts of the New Guinea officials. The case was dismissed. Mr Geo. Reid, an ex-president of the Cricket Association, is using his efforts to evolve a way out of the deadlock. He conferred with some of the suspended players to-day, and is hopeful of effecting an early settlement. A petition has been presented to the Legislative Assembly from Mr Oliver, the Chief Railway Commissioner, claiming that due provision had not been made in the Railway Commission Bill to protect his interests and privileges, or to compensate him for any loss if the Bill became law, iand asking that he should be heard at the bar of the House. The Speaker over-ruled the point that the petition was not in order. The question of granting the petition has not yet been discussed. Melbourne, Wednesday. In the appeal case Colman versus the Victoria Racing Club, the former contesting the power of the club to charge bookmakers fees, the Full Court decided that the by-law was invalid, and gave a verdict for Colman, The Club appeals to the High Court An open verdict was returned at the inquest on McLeod. The coroner held there was not sufficient evidence to warrant the commitment of any person, or to show how the dislocation of the neck which had caused death had resulted. Sydney, Thursday. Sunday convictions for drunkenness in the metropolitan area fell from 601' in the first six months of last ypar to 139 for the corresponding period of this year. In the Assembly, the AttorneyGeneral introduced a Bill for the regulation of gambling and betting. The provisions include a fine of £100 for anyone betting in the streets or betting or soliciting bets from anyone under 21 years of age. It limits the number of racing days, and all race meetings must be licensed. Besides horse racing, the Bills deals with other sports, and the police are given summary powers. Melbourne, Thursday. In the House, the third readigg of the Meteorology Bill was carried. The Penny Postage Bill will be introduced to-day. The new mail contract is meeting with considerable opposition in the i Senate. Mr Nield, in Ithe course of criticism, asked why did not the Government stipulate for a maximum rate of freight for cool storage. In all probability the New Zealand Government will give a handsome subsidy, and the vessels, instead of travelling the southern and eastern coasts of Australia will go to New Zealand and obtain additional satisfactory cargo and subsidy after delivering the mails at Adelaide. Sydney, Thursday. The now Central railway station will bo oponed for traffic on Sunday. Strong protests were made, on a motion for the adjournment of the Assembly, against the Sunday opening. Melbourne. Thursday. The City Health Officer states that in lUO3 thero were 227 deaths per 100,000 of population in the city area from consumption ; in 1904 they fell to 272, and last year 142. Iti is believed the time will come when the deaths from consumption will be reduced by one-half.