AUSTRALIA.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCIII, Issue 10601, 9 March 1895, Page 5

AUSTRALIA.

[Special to-Press Association,] NEW SOUTH WALES POLITICS. SYDNEY, Match 8. The Legislative Assembly Bab all night considering Mr Wise's amendment to. the Land and Income Tax Bill. That portion, of the amendment providing that land purchases from Government should only be assessed on the increased value since the purchase, was struck out by 53 votes to 84. As the amendment now stands it simply asks for a tax on unimproved values. A motion ,by the Premier to make the exemption .£4OO is now being discussed. An amendment was carried this morning fixing the exemption under the Land and Income Tax Bill at £475. CLERICAL RETRENCHMENT; In view of the prevailing depression, and with a desire to share the burdens of adherents of the church, the Wesleyan Conference has adopted a recommendation, to reduce the minimum allowances to ministers as follows Married men to £l5O (? £SO) per quarter, single mej £BS per quarter, and probationers £3O per quarter, A DISGRACEFUL SCENE. A scene occurred in the Assembly to-day over the Land and Income Tax Bill. Messrs Sleath, Morgan, Miller and Hughes dating the discussion came to hot words, and a real wordy battle ensued in which charges of “Scoundrel/* “Liar" and “ Dishonesty ” were prominent. The exchange was mutual, and finally, as Mr Miller repeatedly refused to obey the ruling of the Chairman, he was handed over to the Sergeant-at-Arms, who removed him from the Chamber. VICTORIAN CUSTOMS REVENUE. MELBOURNE, March 8. The Customs revenue last year was £2,238.000, an increase of £169,000 on the previous year. The expenses of the Department were decreased by £IO,OOO. ANOTHER SEIZURE OP JEWELLERY. Another seizure haa been made by the Customhouse officials, this time on the premises of a jeweller named John Robert Rowlands, carrying on business in Collins Street. The stock, valued at £9OO, was seized on the ground that Rowlands had evaded the duty on imported jewellery, and it is alleged that the evasion, extending over a period of several years, amounted to £350. The defendant was ordered to pay that amount, and was fined a thousand guineas. BANKRUPTCY. In the Bankruptcy Court, certificates of discharge were granted to Thomas and Charles Lozimer,. of Lorimer, Rome and Co.. AN UNCHARTED REEF. ADELAIDE, March 7. On the last voyage of the Gabo from West Australia, she discovered a reef between Pollock's Reef and South-east Island in the Recherche Archipelago, and which is not marked on the chart. Steps are being taken to properly locate the reef. IMPORTATION OP FRUIT TREES PROHIBITED. ADELAIDE, March 8. A proclamation has been issued prohibiting the introduction of all fruit tress, the intention being chiefly to stop the spread of diseases. WESLEYAN CONFERENCE. HOBART, Maboh 8. The Wesleyan Conference has appointed a committee to consider a scheme for the capitalisation and reduction of church debts. RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION BRISBANE, Mabch 8. The Wesleyan Conference has carried a motion protesting against Government subsidising denominational schools, and in favour of Bible reading in schools. It has also appointed a committee to watch political movements affecting State education.