AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Mataura Ensign, 1 November 1911, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

DRINK IN NEW SOUTH WALES. BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.—COPYRIGHT. PER UNITED PI!ESS ASSOCIATION. Received November 1, 8.5 a.m. SYDNEY, Nov. 1. Archdeacon Boyce, the well-known no-license advocate, attributes the increase in the drink bill to the wonderfully prosperous year and the continued enlargment of the spending power of the people. He states that last year benefited only to a small extent from the reduction of licenses by the local option poll. The majority of the votedout hotels are still open, but many private immoral bars and bogus clubs have been closed. The bars are shut on election days and Sunday closing is fairly complete. Convictions for drunkenness on Sunday have decreased from 1350 to 326. Local option has already done much to keep down the drink bill. A remarkable feature is the growth of the consumption of colonial beer, the workers' beverage. One million and seventy-seven thousand gallons more was drunk than in the previous year, while the spirits consumption increased by 128,470 gallons.

The estimate of the drink bill in New South Wales for 1910 is £5,724,984, or £3 10s 6d per head, against £3 6s 9d in 1909.

VICTORIAN POLITICS. Received November 1, 10.40 a.m. MELBOURNE, Nov. 1. The Premier (Hon. John Murray) has delivered a policy speech. He declared that the Government will reform the Legislative Council, providing for its election on the ratepayers' roll. If a measure passed the Legislative Assembly in two Parliaments and was then rejected by the Council both Houses would go before the electors. In order to secure development of closer settlement it was intended to simplify the process of compulsory acquisition. Other matters which would secure attention were decentralisation, the control of trusts and the encouragement of the beet sugar industry. TRAINS IN COLLISION. Received November 1, 9.15 a.m. SYDNEY, Nov. 1. Mail and stock trains from Hendon came into collision at the Picton Lakes through the stock train leaving the rails. The driver and fireman on one of the trains were seriously injured and six passengers were less severely hurt. An engine was badly damaged and a dozen trucks left the rails. ABSTEMIOUS LEGISLATORS. Received November 1, 10.5 a.m. MELBOURNE, Nov. 1. The drink bill of the Federal Parliament, including visitors and functions, amounts to less than a penny per member per day. WELCOME RAINS. Received November 1, 10.5 a.m. SYDNEY, Nov. 1. Steady rain which has fallen in the Rivorina has greatly benefited the crops.