AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXII, Issue LXII, 19 January 1912, Page 7

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

BY CABM-PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT. 1 SYDNEY', January 19. Fires in the canefieMs round Murwillumbah swept over 600 acres, and 3,700 tons of valuable cane were , destroyed. Small kanaka growers are the chief sufferers, and a^ number lost tjieir homes.

The Council of the Prohibition Party resolved in view of the lecent New Zealand results to appeal to all temperance organisations,' requesting that they enter on an active agitation to secure a State vote on the question of liquor or no liquor, by a simple majority. The Council congratulated the Victorian Alliance on its adoption of this policy.

A meeting of business men strongly protested against the new income tax, and decided to take steps to secure a radical amendment of the more drastic provisions.

An earth tremor was widely felt in the southern districts yesterday morning. It was preceded by a heavy rumbling noise. A pteculliar feature wals the rapidity ot the waves, there being no preliminary wave. No damage is so far reported.

MELBOURNE, January 19 As a result of the recent expert report the Federal Government has ordered the commencement of the work of lighting Bass -Straits. .