CABLE NEWS.

Feilding Star, Volume I, Issue 281, 1 June 1907, Page 3

CABLE NEWS.

AUSTRALIAN ITEMS. 181 ILWJTRIO TBLKQBAPH— COP«EIOHT.] LPBB PRBSB ASSOCIATION.] PREMIERS' CONFERENCE. (Received June Ist, 9.37 a.m.) Brisbane, June 1. The Conference reconsidered the debts question after Sir John Forrest's speech. Mr Carruthera complained of the grabbing spirit of London underwriters in New South Wales. His experience had been that the cost of underwriters together with common stamp duties amounted to 2.15 per cent. There was no patriotism in London finance, which was to-day the rottenest money market in the world. Sir John Forrest had hinted that the Commonwealth might take over the Post Office Savings Bank. He would say "God help the Commonwealth if it threatens us that way. If it were going to act the part of a crushing machine then it would have to consider the people." Received June 1, 9.37 a.m. Brisbane, June 1. Mr Carruthars said he had come prepared to set rid of the friction between New South Wales and the other States of the Commonwealth. He had a scheme which had not been yet proposed. It was to. constitute a board or commission of experts, representing each State, to go thoroughly into the whole question. That would be better than discussions at the Premiers' Conference. After further discussion, the Conference reiterated their previous decisions, that the time was not yet ripe to take over the debts, Victoria and South Australia dissenting. It was resolved to appoint some competent person, at the joint expense or the States, to examine Commonwealth measures introduced and advise the States as to whether those rights were infringed. PRICE OF FLOUR. Sydney, June 1. Flour is firm at £9. ELECTION MUDDLE. Adelaide, June 1. The Court of Dispute declared that the return of Senator Vardon would be void, owing to failure of the returning officers to initial 185 papers. But for the omission the late Mr Crosby would have had a majority over Mr Vardon. PLAGUE. Brisbane, June 1. Two lads employed at the City Hotel are suffering from plague. The licensee is suffering from a suspicious illness.