AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Evening Post, Volume LXX, Issue 61, 9 September 1905, Page 9

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

COMMONWEALTH. Unusually cold weather is reported from various parts of ' Australia. Falls of snow are reported from South Australia, where such visitations are rare, and the Adelaide Observer publishes photograms from the Mount Lofty region, showing snow-covered landscapes and children engaged in the unwonted 'pas*timo of building snow images. Telegrams a week later report heavy snowstorms thvoughoati Victoria, including localities where snow has never befoie been reported. Terrible gules have raged off the coast of New South Wales with shipwrecks and loss of life, and at latest telegraphic advices still continued. Earthquakes have also occurred at Tumut, and elsewhere in New South Wales. During the time of the first Deakin Ministry an order fpr £6000 worth of military material, consisting piincipally of saddlery, was sent to England on the authority of the Minister for Defence (Mr. Austin Chapman). In connection with this matter a deputation from the Trades Hall Council and various trade unions waited on the Minister for Defence (Senator Playford), to complain of the importation by the State of goods that could be manufactured in Australia. In reply, Senator Playford stated that there was something to be said in explanation of the action of tho Minister who had sent abroad for supplies, and quoted an official record, showing that the Administration would have had given the order locally if the goods could have been manufactured. He satisfied the deputation that such a thing would not occur again. He had for many years been a consistent Protectionist, and had already called for tenders for £12,000 worth of colonial saddlery, and official enquiries were now being made to ascertain if the whole of the material could be made within the Commonwealth. In vthe Federal House of Representatives on August 25th, the attention of the Prime Minister was directed by Mr. J. Cook to the case of the groom who, before coming to Australia with horses, had been informed that he could not remain in. tho Commonwealth, and had been provided with an exemption certificate under the Immigration Restriction Act. Mr. Tudor interjected to the effect that the six months* exemption was too long. Mr. Deakin said that the Acting Agent-General (Mr. Coghlan) li!>d been informed thnfc no certificate was necessary in this particular case. Evidently, however, the groom had left London before the letter conveying Ihe information had reached Mr. Coghlan. Steps were being taken to make it known that .exemption certificates were unnecessary/in, such cases. The statements made by the Premier of Victoria, and this threat of a Premiers' conference to consider infringements of State rights by Commonwealth legislation (says the Argus) have been noted by the Prime Minister and his colleagues, but until something specific is bioiight forward Mr. Deakin is nob prepared to enter ihe controversy. The Federal Cabinet is assured that the legislation it is proposing is" within the constitution, and for the general benefit of the citizens of the Commonwealth as a whole, so is not anxious to rush into a dispute with State Governments over matters in which it is not competent for those Governments to interfere. Ministers are, however, watching the endeavour of Mi-. Carruthers and Mr. Bent to assist the Conservative Opposition in the House of Representatives to embarrass the passage of the Commerce Bill. Federal members generally take the view that if they interfered with State legislation to the extent that the 'State Governments interfere with Federal proposals an indignant .outcry would be raised. Sooner or later, they say, the Prime Minister will havo to take a firm stand, and as leader of the House of Representatives tell tho State Premiers that the Commonwealth Legislature declines to be dictated to by .State Ministers. There is a very angry feeling amongst Federal members at the persistent intervention of the State Premiers in 'things within the Federal sphere. "It was most painful to me to hear in America, in England, and Ireland, and even on the Continent, Australia spoken of most contemptuously," says Mr. F. A. Ormiston, a New South Wales professional mau, who has recently been abroad studying tho latest phases of dental woik. "In America they seem to like Australians much better than they do j Englishmen; but they have acquired most extraordinary notions about us and j our methods of government. In the Old Country they seem to" have got tho idea | tlut we are a most selfish lot, who wisli to keep this continent exclusively to our- I selves, while we indulge in all "kinds of legislative eccentricities. All our worthy achievements seem either to be unknown or to be overlooked, 'while the things which we are, pet-haps, not particularly proud of aie ever-present to mind in a distorted form. I was particularly struck with this, even in Berlin, where, in addition to the general feeling against everything British, which is most manifest on «U sides, was a particular prejudice against Australia. 'Why,' they said to me, 'you won't even let your own coantrymen in there.' They 'knew all about the six hatters, or, rather, they weic in possession of a much exaggerated version> of the episode. It is all to be regretted, and it makes an Australian very uncomfortable to hear it ; but there it b." ' In the Federal House of Representatives Mr. John&on who had a morion on the paper asking the House, to express tho opinion that tho importation of opium for other than medicinal purposes should bo prohibited, declared that £60,000 revenue, derived from tho drug was nothing compared with the terrible evils caused by it. Mr. Mauger followed in suport of the motion, and drew from the Prime Minister the statement that he would ask for the adjournment of the debate until he lmd • received replies to letters which he had sent to tho States about ten days ago on this subject. Mr. Deakin himself .-.poke at some length nt a later stage. He said that as the llobart conference had carried a resolution •in favour of joint action being taken by the Comonwealth and States" it was only common courtesy that the Comonwealth should consult the States before taking any action. Unless, however, the Stales agreed to prohibit the growth of the opium poppy the efforts of the Commonwealth would be nugatory. Mr. Mauger asked, by interjection, what would bo done supposing tho States declined to take action, and then Mr. Deakin ro»e to the occasion and .'aid: "Then we shall ask members to consider the matter from a Commonwealth point of view, and the Government will submit definite proposals." Mr. Wade, the New .South Wales At-torney-General, has publ'shed a long indictment against the Commerce Bill now before the Federal Parliament, which, ho says, gives absolute power to Ministers to harass and even actually prohibit importation entirely at their own discro- I tion. It is open to them to dictate every detail of manufacture of imported goods, and enforce conditions laid down by parsons outside the trade, nnd ignorant of the subject. For example, Iho Minister at any timo might merely by Gazette notice prohibit the importation of articles made under factory conditions of -which he did not approve, or of goods not bearing the "union label," under penalty of forfeiture, and might otherwise punish the importer. For such'arbitrnry powers he could find no precedent. "I have token tho trouble to examine legis. lation iv the United States, and I liad

nothing in the remotest degree aproaching the drastic powers of this measure, and the detailed interference with, the trade of each State." It did not avail much to say that no arbitrary use would be made of the dangerous powers conferred, for all the useful provisions of the Bill were found in existing legislation. If the Bill became law he suggested the States aggrieved by Federal interference might find protection in the High Court. , NEW SOUTH WALES. Earth tremors have been reported from Tumut and elsewhere in New South Wales, causing some alarm, but no damage beyond breakage of crockery. The phenomenon was coincident with extensive cyclonic disturbances, and is attributed by the meterological authorities to sharp variations in atmospheric pressure. On the night of the 26th ult., during a heavy thunderstorm, the Moore Park View Hotel, Dowling-streetj Sydney, was struck by lightning and set on fire, but the flame 3 were soon extinguished. The footpath in front was torn up for twelve yards, but the greatest alarm was caused by the cutting-off of the gas, which, at 6 p.m., occa&ioned much inconvenience. Strangely enough, the same night the Great Western Hotel, at Dubbo, had a like experience, the lightning in this case also partly destroying the gasconnections. A horse was killed also by the lightning. A honeymoon couple a few days ago had «i» unusual experience in the Blue Mountains, New South Wales. They went to" the Federal Pass, Katoomba, and losing their way had spend the night among the gullies. They were found by a search party next day none the M-orse for their adventure. An extraordinary case under the Immigration Restriction Act came before the Newcastle Court, New South Wales, on 38th August* Captain Pritchard, of the ship Blythswood, was proceeded against on a, charge of having permitted a. prohibited immigrant to land. The customs officer stated that when the Blythswood was ready to go to sea lie found E. B. Hinds missing. As Hinds was not of European birth or descent he was a prohibited immigrant. On behalf of Captain Pritchard it was contended that the prosecution had failed to show that the nwn was on the ship's articles. Hinds helda second mate's certificate, had served in a British regiment through the Boer campaign, and was also a Royal Navy Reserve man. He enmc from Los Angelos, and was only slightly coloured. His term of service expired a few weeks ago and he was paid oil. The Magistrate referred his decision. Latest advices state that the case was dismissed. The broken sabbaths at Broken Hill, New South Wales, have long been a grievance. On the 27th inst., preaching at the Pro-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, the Very Rev. Father O'Farrell, 0.P., entered an emphatic protest against what he deemed to be the unnecessary amount of work done on the Barrier mines on Sundays. It 'was- not compatible with the freedom of a man, whether he liked it or nqt, that ho 'should be compelled to work on Sunday, when he should be at church, enjoying the society of friends, or in the fresh air. The chief features of the day seem to have been band concerts and evening entertainments in the theatre and town hall. The police have now notified the owner of places of entertainment that under the provisions of an Imperial Statute, Act 21, George 111., every person holding a license for a theatre or building for public entertainment is liable to a penalty of £200 for every day such place is open or used on the Lord's Day. VICTORIA. The Victoria revenue returns for last month reached £570,666, showing an increase 0f '£20,926 as compared with August of Inst year. The balance received Irom the Commonwealth showed an increase of £34,470. The railways showed a falling off of £11,472. The railway returns for the year, however, again show an increase, the aggregate amount of receipts since Ist July, 1905, being £10,834 higher than for the correspondding term of last year. Frederick Herman Gray, ex-teller of tho Bank of Australasia at Bendigo, Victoria, was charged at the Central Criminal Court, on the 28th ult., with stealing certain money belonging to the bank. It v,us alleged that the amount involved was £2100, and that the accused manipulated his books. The case had not concluded when the Court adjourned. In view of the defeat in the Victorian Legislative Assembly of the Scripture Instruction in State Schools Bill, the executive committee of the Scripture Instruction Campaign Council has decided "That committees be formed at once for the purpose of nominating gentlemen to stand for the Legislative Assembly in place of those members who voted against the Bill." The case of the Hindu, Piriam Singh, against uhom a sentence of death was recorded at Castlemaine on" 27th July by Air. Justice ilolroyd, is to be further investigated. Singh was found guilty of having committed an asSault with violence upon a nrirned woman, named Selina Harrison, aged ,26 years, at Lexton. The Premier states, tint the Government has received information that put a different complexion on the case, and it lifts been decided to tend a detective to make further investigations. A serious affair is reported from Bairnsdale, it "being alleged that three young men broke into a house occupied by Mrs. Wee Young, wife of a Chinese, and treated her, in a shocking and brutal manner. She was alono at the time, and was in bed. She attempted to scream' but tho ruffians bound clothes round her head, nearly suffocating her, and afterwards making off. A lad of seventeen has been arrested, and tho victim has positively identified him as one of her a.ssailants. He denies any knowledge of the affair. At an influential meeting held in Melbourne to help forward the movement for the establishment of an epileptic colony, the Premier said he had already promised to give £3000 on condition that the public subscribed £2000, and the Ministiy had agreed to set apart fifty acres of land fdr a colony, but he was now in a position to say that a hundred acres would be made available, and that if the committee could raise £1000 the Government was prepared to give £6000. Regarding the bravado of "Young Australia," an extraordinary story iras told by Colonel Hosken at a Salvation Army meeting in the Collingwood Town Hall, Victoria. Ho asserted, on the strength of a letter received from a friend, that tu-o boys had wagered against each other as to which could cut off tho most of his, fingers. The amount; at stake was one shilling. They went to work with penknives, and after one had by pieces taken off two fingers, and the other one finger, they were stopped. In answer to exclamations of inciedulity, tho colonel declared :—"I: — "I am prepared to produce tho individual who wrote the letter, and, if that will not suffice, will produce to the Mayor of Collingwood one of the boys." At a meeting of the Albury Borough Council, Victoria, reference was made to the action of tho Fanners and Settlers' Association in regard to the prevention of bush fires. The polico reports of the Murray district showed a total of 36 fires which had occurred in the district at the end of last and tho beginning of this year. After careful enquiry the police report the following causes of tho fires: — By phosphorus (laid to poison rabbil.«), 12 ; by wnx matches (probably dropped accidentally), 2 ; by sun's rays through glass, 1 ; by persons wilfully, 3; by careless use of fire, 3}

by machinery bearings becoming heated, 1 ; by lightning, 1 ; by sparks from railway engines, 3; by sparks from lawful fires, 2; cause not nscertainable, 8; total 36. It was decided to urge the Government to take steps to prevent tlm use of phosphorus poibon and wax matches during the hoi weather. WESTERN AUSTRALIA. The revenue of Western Australia for August totalled £271,696, and the expenditure £292,837, making an excess of disbursements over receipts of £21,141. Compared with August, 1904, the revenue shows a falling off of £7736, and tho expenditure a decrease of £5232. The amount returned by the Commonwealth shows a decrease of £23,130. Railway revenue shows an incieaso of £3903, and State battery returns an increase of' .£6274. A strange fatality is reported from Greenbushes, Western Australia. Frederick Ayers was extracting a cartridge from a Winchester rifle in' his backyard, and John Carney was tying up a dog in an adjoining yard, when the cartridge exploded, and the bullet struck Carney in the breast and killed him. The deceased who was a selector, 45 years of age, left a widow and four young children. ' In the Full Court at Perth, Western Australia, on 29th August, judgment was given in the caso of an appeal by the Daily News against the verdict in connection with an action for libel in which Mr. J. L. Nanson, M.L.A., was plaintiff. The Daily News accused Mr. Nanson of personal spleen in connection with his attack on Captain Hare, Commissioner of Police, in consequence- of the latter's charges against Mr. Roth, who condemned the treatment of aborigines by police and others in the north-west. Mr. Nansou sued the newspaper for £2000, as damages for libel, and the jury awarded him a, verdict for £175 with costs. Against this verdict the Daily News appealed, on the ground that Mr. Justice Parker had .misdirected the jury. The Pull Court xwaniinously dismissed the appeal, with costs against the appellant. SOUTH AUSTRALIA. , The local option campaign opened at Adelaide on the 28th ult. with a large and enthusiastic demonstration at the Fine-street Methodist Church, under the 'auspices of itho South Australian Temperance Alliance. The immediate object in view is the reduction of the liquor licenses in the Adelaide, Port Adelaide, and Hofrens 'electorates, numbering 186, by , one-third , vote. The Commonwealth Constitution provides, tinder what is known as the Braddon clause, that for a, period of iten years three-fourths of the net customs and excise duties shall be returned to tho States. At the last Premier's Conference the majority of the States, including South Australia, agreed with ithe Federal Treasurer that the clause should be extended for twenty years. Soon after the present Ministry took office the Premier of New South 'Wales k asked the Premier of South Australia whether the new Ministry was in favour of the extension. Mr. Price has replied that at present the Ministry is in favour of the provisions of the clause being extended for twenty years. QUEENSLAND. The Queensland itM-snue for Auguat amounted to £285,035, an increase of £52,539. The amount received from the Commonwealth increawd £22,795. Taxation increased £4514. Territorial increased £3901. Railways increased £18,949. The -revenue 'or the two months -was £548,122, an increase of £99,793. As compared with the eaaio period of last ysar, tho amount received from tho Commonwealth increased £24,494. Taxation increased £7979. Territorial increased £5208. Railways increased £30,739. The expenditure lor August amounted to £171,530, an increase of £4677. The expenditure .or ( the two months was £349,978, an increase of £22,704, as compared with tho same period in 1904. The excess of revenue over expenditure was £198,143, a& compared with £151,055 for the sameporiod of last year. A most destructive fire- occurred at Normanton, North Queensland, early on Mia Ist inkt., in the main street. The business places of Mosera. A. J. Smith and Co., storekeeper, Mr. Jas. Kernan, and Mr. Thomas Henderson were burnt to the ground. Mesi3r3. Smith and Co. lost stock-in-trade valued t(t £5000, and Mr. Kernan lost everything The" post a-nd telegraph office had a narrow escape. The conflagration, which raged for an ■hour and a-half, has affected an. important corner block of the town. A special meeting of the BrisbaneChamber of Commerce was held to discuss the contract between tho Government and ( the Orient Company. Resolutions were carried unanimously that theOrient steamers should come to the city wharves, and that in order to retain ths South African trade efforts should be niade to continue the callings at Brisbane of Aberdeen boats. Ths Queensland Minister for Lands, in a -recent speech,' 6aid in the past population had preceded railways, but now tho Government was trying to make ths railways precede tho population, and saddle the cost of the railways on. the lands opened up. Tho Lands Department would take the pVairie- value- of land, and'the Railway Department the increment accruing. Thus it' was hoped to build, the lines without materially increasing tho public debt. TASM~ANIA. The consolidated revenue of Tasmania lor August totalled £65,470, as compared with £67,492 in August, 1904. In the Tasmaninn Treasurer's Financial {statement, the following reference was made to the Federation i— "Economise as we may, we are debarred from attaining v, moro satisfactory financial position through the un-Federal spirit which has been displayed, and the incapacity for work that has been shown by the majority of members of the Commonwealth Parliament. The remedy rests with the States themselves, who should choose representatives who will study) their interests." Mr. Nicholls thereupon tabled a motion, "That tho reflections on tho capacity of members of the Federal Parliament in the Treasurer's Statement were improper, and should be withdrawn." In the Ta^manian Assembly on tho 21st ult. the debate on the Public Service Bill resulted in the striking out ol the clause ' providing that officers between 60 and 65 years of age are entitled or may be called upon to retire, also the clause that officers attain, ing the age, of 65 should retire unless required to continue. The consensus of opinion was that tho circumstances of continued efficiency should override definite ago limitation. On the following evening «, motion was carried in tho House of Assembly reinstating the clauses referring to the ago limit, also a motion that 70 years bo substituted for 65 years, the mover arguing ihat Civil Servants in Tasmania lived longer, and continvted inoie efficient, thai' in other countries. A clause permitting ofliceia to retire at 613 was also carried. A landslip of several thousand tons occurred at the Mount Lyell Company's limestone flux quarry, resulting in the death of Richard Ross, an employee in the quarry The workmen started to run as soon as the slip was noticed, nnd all succeeded in escaping except Ross, who tripped and fell, and was immediately covered by the movinu ground. His body was extricated in about an hour, but death must have been instantaneous. Deceased was a single man 33 years of age..