AUSTRALIA.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXIII, Issue 15919, 3 May 1912, Page 7

AUSTRALIA.

United Press Association—By Electria Telegraph—Copyright.

NEW SOUTH WALES "ALLIANCE. SYDNEY, May 2. The annual conference of the New South Wales Alliance discussed a motion in favour of amending the Liqior Act for a straightout vote with a simple majority to decide. The conference negatived the motion by twenty, four to thirteen, but a motion favouring the reduction of the hours durintf which hotels may be open was adopted. THE BIRTH-RATE. Sydney's birth-rate for April was the highest since April, 1897, and 11 pel cent above tho average for the last fivt vears. CENSUS OF RELIGIONS. MELBOURNE, May 2. _ The census returns giving the relU gious classification of the wealth show the following figures of th« loading sects: —Church of England, 1,710,443; Roman Catholic, 921.425; Presbyterian, 558,336; Methodist, 547,8C«3 ; Congregational, 74,046 ; Baptist, 97,074; Church of Christ,' 38,748; Salvationists, 26,665; Protestant undefined. 109,861. The freethinkers number 3254 and the Agnostics 3084. CHILDREN'S MEASUREMENT. Arrangements have been made by th« Government Statist to draw up an anthropometric standard for the children of the Commonwealth. SYDNEY MEAT MARKETS. In promising a deputation tfl establish central city meat mar kets Mr M'Gowen said that thej well knew that certain interested parties were tightening their grip on the industry, and Australia! producers would need every facilitythat could be given them so that thej might reach the markets of the world as favourably as possible.

SUCCESS OF PENNY POSTAGE. MELBOURNE, May 2,

During its first year the .penny post< age system resulted in a decrease of revenue in all the States except Victoria, the deficiency amounting to £46,002. Victoria shows an inorease of -£50,240, making an increase for the Commonwealth of £4238.