AUSTRALIAN CABLES.

Evening Star, Issue 14792, 6 February 1912, Page 6

AUSTRALIAN CABLES.

CLOSER INTERDOMINION RELATIONS. MR WRAGGE PREDICTS DROUGHT. SOUTH AUSTRALIA’S RECORD BUSH FIRES. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. MELBOURNE. February 6. (Received February 6, at 10.55 a.m.) Tho Federal Government have decided to act along the lines indicated by Mr Fisher in connection with seeming closer relations with New Zealand as soon as the politics of the Dominion are move settled. It, is believed that at first efforts will be restricted to defence and commercial relations. Mr Fisher says 1 hat action will be taken on the lines of the motion at the Hobart conference. Ho considers a defence agreement should he made between the Commonwealth and the Dominion. An a practical and an immediate step towards closer political relations Senator Pearce has instructed the captain of the Naval College to prep-arc particulars of the proposal for the training of New Zealand cadets. HOBART, February 6. The New South Wales Totalisafor Commission have commenced taking evidence SYDNEY, February 6. Mr Clement Wragge has repeated his prediction that the rainfall will be below the average until 1916, although the drought will be less seveie than previous ones. MELBOURNE. February 6. A conch capsized at Port Arlington. 14 passengers being injured, seven of them veriou-dy. ADELAIDE. Fehmaiy 6. Tho fire on the hills is still burning fiercely, and is easily the biggest on record. The damage is estimated at £150,000. Many homesteads have, been destroyed, and the set;levs have had some thrilling experiences.