AUSTRALIAN ITEMS.

Feilding Star, Volume III, Issue 831, 18 March 1909, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN ITEMS.

"• \hY ELECTRIC TELEGBAPH — COPYRIGHT.} [PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] THE BARRIER MINING IkOUBLS Sydney, March 17. Trouble is threatened between the Amalgamated Miners' Association and the combined Unions At the Barrier over the latter's action regarding the non-Unionists in the Junction North case. A section of the men claim ■to have been sold on the non-Union-ist question. UNFULFILLED HOPES. At the inquest on Frank Laing r a verdict of suicide was returned. A poCket-book found in the clothing of deceased contained an entry tint he intended to do away with himeeTf. A witness deposed that Laing on the morn ing. of his death said he had beea placed in a very awKward position owing to money expected from .New Zealand not' having arrived. , RATES OF EXCHANGE. The Melbourne banks have reduoerf their buying rate of exchange on Loudon by 5s and increased, the setting rate to the same extent. WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY. Melbourne, March 17. The Federal Postmaster-Gen snl stated that he was unable to give any consideration whatever to the wifeless 'telegraph system for another year. COMMONWEALTH POPULATION. The population of the commonwealth az the end of last year was • 4,275,304, an increase for the year of 78,207. (Received March 18, 10.10 a.m.) The commonwealth's population returns show . that Victoria's increase for -the year was 23,079; New Soush :\Vale«, 22,730 ; South- Australia, 74,---~5l£;; Querfsffand , 10,680 ; ;■--- Westraixa, 5,547- j and Tasmania, 1,816. Males females by 228.744. Victoria'is the only state where there ■&T&- more' women than- men. Melbourne, March >3. CSAt afe.-PftlaefekirPay banquet, the Earl of Dudley, Governoc»General cf "fe»r*ing. to "his term of ioifice in Irda*d,i : Aaid.'tKikt ac was wnyineeA' ■&& great majority if yoo ipl© in Ireland. were at heart as loyal as 4iiy others in the Kink's dominions. SHIPPING. ' Brisbane, Maroh 18. Sailed — Aorangi, for Vanooaver.