AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hastings Standard, Issue 240, 6 February 1897, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

CABLES.

GENERAL ITEMS

(Per Pre.s--s Association—Copyright)

Sydney, This day. At the request of a deputation comprising all sects Cardinal Moran has concented to become a candidate for the Federal Convention, as he deems it a duty he owes to Anstralian patriotism. He .said one of the main duties of the Federal Government would be to organise military and naval defence forces and an Australian fleet, but the subject of control by the Federal Government was of paramount importance. Rabbi Davis supports the Cardinal's candidature. Mr Audley C'ooto, writing to the Postmaster-General, calls attention to the French scheme for the Pacific cable, and intimates he had full power to enter into a contract to construct it through to America. Mr Cook has replied that it was open to Mr Coote to bring the scheme before the Pacific Cable Commission, but it could hardly be expected to be used, as they have agreed to a certain route. lie would take no steps to bring forward an alternative and competitive route. The time had gone by for any of the colonies subsidising a cable owned by a private company under absolutely foreign management. Melbourne, Feb. 5. The new r mail contract just entered into between the Imperial Government and the Orient and P. and O. Companies commences in February next year. The time of delivery of mails will be reduced to HO days 10 hours between London and Adelaide. The gam compared with the present service will be slightly under four days. Hoisart, This day. Mr Seddon spends a few days at Launceston before proceeding to Melbourne. The Premiers' decided that they could not collectively accept Mr Chamberlain's invitation re being present at the celebration of the Queen's reign, but each would answer it separately.