Empire Outposts.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume VI, Issue 271, 1 November 1916, Page 5

Empire Outposts.

AUSTRALIA. The Referendum. AFFIRMATIVE GAINS SLIGHTLY. SLIGHT PROSPECT OF SUCCESS. [AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSN. (Received 1, 10.40 a.m.) Sydney, Nov. 1. The latest referendum figures are No 973,980. Yes 891,905. An earlier cable said the figures were:—No, 961,075; Yes, 878,160. It is estimated that there are still 350,000 votes of all classes uncounted. (Received 1, 11.15 a.m.) Sydney, Nov. 1. The “Herald” voices the growing opinion that with the counting of the absentee votes there is a possibility of the referendum decision being altered. SOLDIERS DISGUSTED. (AUSTR ANtl N Z CABLE »HSN i ; (Received 1, 10.40 a.m.) ; Sydney, Nov. 1. The Returned Soldiers’ Association is disgusted with the result of the referendum, and proposes to form a regiment from the returned men. It is believed that two thousand would be able to pass the doctor. ANTI MINISTERS RESIGN. Sydney, Oct. 31. Mr. Estell, Minister of Labour, Industry and Mines, has resigned his portfolio, stating that in the light of recent events he can no 1 longer follow Mr. Holman. Later Mr. Griffiths, Minister of Education, resigned on the same grounds. UN « *an N’ 7 F (Received 1, 10.40 a.m.) Melbourne, Nov. 1. The Federal Premier, Mr. AV. M. Hughes, has accepted the resignations of Messrs Higgs, Gardiner and Russell. (Received 1, 10.40 a.m.) Brisbane, Nov. 1. The Executive of the Queensland Labour Party has expelled Bamford members of the House of Representatives, and Senator Givens, on account of the support they had given to conscription. (Received 1, 10.40 a.m.) Syndey, Nov. 1. A special meeting of twenty antiConscriptionist- members of the State Labour Party request the Political Labour League Executive to form a new party which will be recognised as the Official Labour Party. OUR EASTERN ALLY. BASELESS INSINUATIONS. STATEMENT BY CONSULGENERAL. Sydney, Oct. 21. The Consul-General for Japan, Mr. S. Shimizu, in welcoming Dr. Batchelor, a visitor from Japan, at a dinner given by the Japanese Society of Sydney on Wednesday, said:—

“The whole of Australia is now agitated upon the conscription issue. As this is entirely an internal affair for Australia, I am not inclined to make any observations thereon ; but, in the presence of this company, I should like to take the opportunity to say a few words to the Japanese residents here upon the matter of their attitude at the present juncture. Since this question has been brought forward, I have been several times informed by my Australian friends, as well as by the Japanese residents here, that our nation had been frequently referred to by public speakers for and against the conscription proposals. “While, on the one hand, those in favour of conscription had urged as an argument upon their side that conscription was necessary in order to defend Australia from Japanese aggression, those upon the othei side had asserted that, if Australians were conscripted, there would be an influx of Japanese labour into the Commonwealth. Thus it will be seen that the references to Japan are awkward and unpleasant from both sides, and, 1 may add, quite baseless, “One would have thought that the remembrance of the part which Japan had already taken in the present great world crisis would have been sufficient to disprove any suggestion of ulterior motives on the part of Japan. I realise how unpleasant it must be to you to have to listen to, and read about, statements which are so misleading and so cruelly untrue; but I strongly advise you individually to comport yourselves, in these trying circumstances, with the same dignified forbearance of which the Imperial Japanese Government has set you so strong an example. “It must be left to time to prove how mistaken those are who make such allegations against the honour of our country, and I think and hope that those who are most voluble upon this subject will yet live to see and acknowledge their error.” COALMINERS’ STRIKE. SEVERAL MINES IDLE. (AUSTRALIAN AND N 7. O*BT» ASSN 1 Sydney, Oct. 31. Thirteen collieries in the Newcastle and Maitland districts, and others at Ccssnock are idle, the men insisting on an eight hours’ day 1 bank to bank. The remainder are expected to close to-morrow.

ALL MINERS CEASE WORK TO-DAY. [AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSN.] (Received 1, 10.40 p.m.) Sydney, Nov. 1. Employees in all mines of the Commonwealth have decided to cease work to-day as a protest for not receiving their demand for an eight hours’ day from bank to bank. BOTH SIDES OF THE DISPUTE. (Received 1, 11.15 a.m.) Sydney, Nov. 1. In connection with the miners’ strike, employers claim that by granting the five hours asked the output would be decreased below paying point. The miners reply that the output had been fully maintained on all previous occasions where the hours had been reduced, and it would be so on this occasion, if up-to-date methods of working were introduced. SEA SERVICE WITH JAPAN. FORTNIGHTLY SAILINGS ARRANGED. ' I [AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ABBN.) • (Received 1, 10.40 a.m.) Sydney, Nov. 1. A combination has been effected between the Eastern Australian Co. and the Nippon Yusen Kaisha, i whereby a, regular fortnightly pas-1 sengcr cargo service will run between Japan and Australia. There' has also been arranged a. regular direct three-monthly service between ; Japan and New Zealand. j NOTES FROM VARIOUS STATES A hospital ship landed 35 New Zealand wounded at Sydney. They were invited to attend the theatres to-day and to-morrow, and proceed to New Zealand on Thursday. I ALWTKAMA.' AMD N.Z OABLF ASSN, | (Received 1, 11.15 a.m.) Further splendid rains have fallen over a wide area in N.ri.W. and the outlook is genti ill b ood The annual report 01 the Victoria Savings Banx shows that deposits have been £2j 'O’ 2il m increase for the yeai <f Lt GO 2» lhe gross profits nave increased £4a,olA). The price 01 wneat tor export, including New Zealand tins been fixed at Sydney at 5/a. Canada. MINISTERIAL CHANGES. KEITIRK S TELEGRAMS Ottawa, Oct. 31. It is rumoured that a Coalition Government under the Premiership of Sir Robert White is likely; also that Sir R. L. Borden (present Premier) is going to London as permanent High Commissioner. The Coalition Government is considered a big step, but it is understood that some drastic changes are contemplated.