AUSTRALIAN ITEMS.

Feilding Star, Volume V, Issue 1404, 31 January 1911, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN ITEMS.

OT ELECTRIC TELEGBAPn—-COPYBIGHT

(per pbess association.)

(Received January 31, 9.55 a.m.) LAND AND LAJBOUR PARTY. Sydney, January 31. The Labour Conference, after a lengthy discussion, negatived a proposal to strike the land nationalisation plank from its platform. The movers' contention was that the land was practically already nationalised, as there was no. limit to. the taxation that could Be placed on it. Mr J. C. Watson, an ex-Federal Premier, strongly favoured the retention of the plank. The Hon. Mr Wilson, N.S.W. Minister of Lands, concdiered there should be a definitation affixed to the plank, to show what the Labour Party really meant by land nationalisation. WHARF LABOURERS. Melbourne, January 31. At a mass meeting, the whart labourers decided to resume work this morning, at the same time as the waterside workers, and that the Federation reopen negotiations with the owners, with a view to having the grievances settled. This decision was reached after intimation from the steamship owners that they intended adhering to the -arrangements which came into operation in January, but | were prepared to hear complamts through proper channels. PENNY POSTAGE SOON. Hobart, January 31. At the Postal Conference, the Hon. Mr Thomas, Federal Postmaster-Ge-neral, announcements that arrangements were nearing completion tor the early introduction of penny postage. Enormous quantities of p_enny stamps were now being printed. WONDERFUL WIRELESS. Brisbane, January 31. Successful experiments in transmitting wireless signals from- and to moving trains have been made. A STRANDED STEAMER. The Eastern is leaking in No. 2 hold at the rate of five inches an hour. THE WARRIMOO ARRIVES. Sydney, January 31. Arrived —Warrimoo, from Wellington, at 7 a.m. COLD-BLOODED PLOTTERS. 'Miller and Clare, the two youths concerned in the Narrandera murders, made directly contradictory statements. Each accused the other of plotting the robbery and committing the murders. The intention was to shoot Mrs Warby and make Miss Warby sign cheques, then shoot her, place the bodies in the house, and burn it. Afterwards they were to go to town and spend the money obtained by the cheques. A SHIPPING ITEM. Newcastle, January 31. Sailed —Clan Shaw, for Dunedin. A SWIMMING CHAMPION. Melbourne, January 31. Powell, of Melbourne, won the three-mile swimming championship of Victoria in 20min. osec. TWO BROTHERS DROWNED. Two brothers, named Stanborough, were drowned whilst bathing in the Yarra. - PULLING THEIR OWN LEG. The Hon. Mr Carmichael, hon. Minister in the McGowen Cabinet, speaking at the Australian Natives' Association's dinner, said it took a dull Scotchman like himself some little time to realise when Australians were pulling their own leg. When he read Mr Foster Eraser's book he began to think he had not realised that either. CANNOT FLOAT HER. Brisbane, January 31. Further attempts to. float the Eastern have so far been unsuccessful Large quantities of rice, oil, and other cargo have been thrown overboard to lighten her. AND BOTH PERISHED. Whilst two men were crossing th« creek at Mackay, one got into difficulties. The other went to his assistance, and both were drowned.