NEWS OF THE WORLD.

Mataura Ensign, 2 November 1911, Page 6

NEWS OF THE WORLD.

GERMANY'S ARMY. •TIMES' EXPERT'S VIEW. 81 HSOTBIC TEIJSGBAPH.—COPYBIGHT. PEE UNITED PEESS ASSOCIATION. LONDON, Nov. 1. •The Times' military expert says that after witnessing the German and French manoeuvres be forms the conclusion that the German Army is much overrated. The German authorities are much mistaken as to its invincibility. Apart from numbers and confidence in itself as a high organisation, there are not at present any signs of superiority over the best foreign models. In some ways the Army does not rise above second rate. The state of the German artillery is much inferior to that of the French. THE EMPIRE. CLOSER CO-OPERATION. LONDON, Nov. 1.. Lord Selborne (ex-High Commissioner of South Africa), addressing an Imperial Mission meeting at the Queen's Hall, said that each of the Parliaments of the oversea Dominions would decide in war tiime whether or not actively to co-operate with the Motherland. Both the great parties desired to take the Dominions frankly into confidence on questions of foreign policy in order to ensure their approval even more than their active co-operation. The point was whether better organised co-opera-tion for common purposes, including defence, was possible or not. The answer must come from the Dominions. AUSTRIAN CABINET RESIGNS. VIENNA, Nov. 1. The Cabinet has resigned owing to the absence of a working majority. CEREBRO-SPINAL MENINGITIS. LONDON, Nov. 1. Thirty cases of cerebro-spinal meningitis have occurred at Stokesdown, and there have been six deaths. THE COPYRICHT BILL. LONDON, Nov. 1. In the House of Lords the Copyright Bill was read a second time. COST OF MAIL FLEET. LONDON, Nov. 1. The South African Government, inquiring among shipbuilders in Great Britain, has ascertained that a fleet of seven mail steamers would cost three and a-half millions. DELHI DURBAR. SYDNEY, Nov. 1. The Imperial authorities are desirous of making the Delhi Durbar representative of the whole Empire and have requested that some Australian national music he forwarded. The song "Advance, Australia Fair" has been sent. TRAINS IN COLLISION. SYDNEY, Nov. 1. The head-on collision between trains at Picton Lakes was caused by the stock train, while shunting on to a loop line to allow the Melbourne-Sydney mail to pass, over-shooting the points just as the mail train approached. The sound of the impact roused residents, who were quickly on the scene and rendered assistance. There was great excitement among f the passengers till the doors were unlocked and they were released. Altogether nine people were injured, mostly by the shock and bruises. One was removed to the hospital; the others proceeded to their homes after medical attention. Traffic was blocked for many hours. Several sheep trucks were smashed and a large number of animals were killed and mangled. Three engimes and other rolling stock were damaged. AUSTRALIAN POLITICS. FEDERAL PARLIAMENT. MELBOURNE, Nov. 1. The House of Representatives passed the third reading of the amended Arbitration Bill. The Commonwealth Banking Bill has been introduced. Alterations are made providing that the bank be managed by a governor and a" deputy-governor instead of a board l as at first proposed, also giving power for establishment of branch banks im London or other places beyond the Com/monwealth.

NEW SOUTH WALES LAND. SYDNEY, Nov. 1. In the Legislative Assembly a Crown Lands Declaratory Bill, slightly amended from last session's Bill, was reintroduced, the object being consolidation of the existing land laws. LABOR'S MAJORITY. ~. PERTH, Nov. 1. ihe final Assembly election at Roebpn resulted in the return of Mr Gardiner (Labor). The new House consists of 34 Laborites and 16 Liberals. WELCOME RAIN. SYDNEY, Nov. 1. Except in Southern Riverina and on the North Coast, good and much-needed ra H* has fallen throughout the State. There is much rejoicing because of the rain, which is likely to save the situation as far as the wheat crop is concerned. A SHIPWRECKED CREW. SYDNEY, Nov. 1. The crew of the wrecked steamer - Knight of St. George has arrived from Tonga.