AUSTRALIAN CABLES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVII, Issue 73, 26 March 1906, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN CABLES.

I A SENSATIONAL RAINFALL. SYDNEY, March 25. There was a terrific thunderstorm between Sydney ami tho Blue Mountains last night, and sin of rain fell. The railway line was washed away at Glenbrook," and at another place a landslip ! precipitated on the line, which was blocked tor many hours. , MR. DEAKIN'S' POLICY. I BALLARAT, March 24. I Mr. Deakin, the Federal Premier, de'ivered the first part of his policy speech io-night, to a good audience. The situation, he said, was unchanged iince 1903. As then, there were still three larties. It was plain that no single >arty coud carry out its programme. I '.Vithout some arrangement between two ; if the parties, legislation was impossible. j !Ie claimed that Mr. Reid broke the agTee'nent with him prior to his last Ballarat peeeh. by seeking to bring about an elec- ' ion prematurely. Mr. Reid was the vieI •■im of stage-fright, and appointed a Tariff I Oommisson to save his own skin. Mr. Reid was against one form of Socialism and favoured another. It was difficult to understand his position. The policy of the Government was essentially a policy of protection. The Government offered an i Vustralian policy for the Australian j >eople. Mr. Dtakin deals with the relations of j :he Government and Labour party next J reek. I I (Received 9.28 a.m.) 1 MELBOURNE, this day. The"Argus/ commenting on Mr Dea!"in's policy speech, said that the one notable feature in connection with the .■•peech was the lack of interest in it, as : hown by the comparatively small attendJ; .nee. The "Age" says there is very little ; n it that the country wanted to know, I: nd very much that everybody was tired u.f. PLAGUE IN WEST AUSTRALIA. (Received 10 a.m.) PERTH, this day. Two further eaaee of plegue »" re* ported fewfr .