AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Mataura Ensign, 29 December 1911, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

RENTS IN SYDNEY. Bf ELECTRIC TELEGiIAPK.—COI'TIUIifIT. PER UNITED PItESS ASSOCIATION. Recerfed December 29, 9.10 a.m. SYDNEY, Dec. 29. The Labor Council decided to approach the Government and urge the introduction of a Limitation of Rents Bill. It is stated that improvements obtained by means of wages boards have been grabbed by the landlords, so that conditions are actually worse than before the introduction of the boards. CRIME AND DRINK. Received December 29, 10.40 a.m. PERTH, Dec. 29. The Police Commissioner in his annual report states that the alarming increase of crimes is due to drink, and that 53 per centum of all the offences committed arose from drink compared with 47 per centum in the previous year. He urges the passing of more drastic licensing laws. FEDERAL TERRITORY. Received December 29, 10.40 a.m. MELBOURNE, Dec. 29. The sum of £600,000 has been placed on the Estimates for the resumption of land in the Federal territory. AUSTRALIA IN LONDON. Received December 29, 10.40 a.m. MELBOURNE, Dec. 29. The Federal Cabinet has decided to proceed with the acquirement of the StVand site in London, also the erection of Commonwealth offices. HOW DRIVING ACCIDENTS OCCUR. Received December 29, 10.40 a.m. MELBOURNE, Dec. 29. It is now stated that the Mount Dandenong coach accident (where a waggonette containing a picnic party of 14 was capsized) is less serious than was at first thought. The driver, who was conveyed to Melbourne, was the worst sufferer, but he is expected to recover. The accident resulted from a lady passenger grabbing one of the reins. THE PAPAL DECREE. SYDNEY, Dec. 28. Archbishop Kelly, in an interview regarding the cabled Papal decree, advised the public to await the full text. He that it would be found to be rational, regular, salutary and worthy of the distinguished commission to which the revision of the canon law hud been entrusted. The decree in substance would uphold the traditions and liberties of the Gospel. VICTORIAN RAILWAYS. MELBOURNE, Dec. 28. The Railway Commissioners have announced reductions in freights, mainly in favor of agriculture and industries situated at long distances from the ports. The reductions aggregate over £75,000. SYDNEY'S GOVERNMENT HOUSE. Received December 29, 9.10 a.m. SYDNEY, Dec. 29. Cabinet does not approve of Mr McGowen's (Premier) suggestion to allow the Governor-General the use of Government House and has decided to adhere to the former decision. COAL VEND APPEALS. Received December 29, 10.40 a.m. SYDNEY, Dec. 29. As appeals are likely to be entered in the cases of all the defendants in the Coal Vend case one will probably be treated as a test case. SCOTTISH FARMERS. Received December 29, 10.40 a.m. SYDNEY, Dec. 29. A Scottish syndicate headed by a member of the recent Scottish Commission proposes to take sufficient land in South Australia to have 5000 acres under crop yearly. NEW SOUTH WALES CROPS. Received December 29, 10.40 a.m. SYDNEY, Dec. 29. Statistical returns show that 242,611 acres are under oats in New South Wales. The yield is estimated at 1,715,000 bushels of oats a)nd 180,000 tons of hay. NEW HEBRIDES PROBLEM. Received December 29, 9.4 a.m. SYDNEY, Dec. 29. The 'Sydney Morning Herald' states: "There seems little doubt that something is afoot in regard to the New Hebrides but whether the final solution will take the form of partition of the group between Great Britain and France or annexation with the exchange of territory elsewhere is exercising the minds of those interested. Had Australia annexed the islands a few years ago when all the European residents were British there would have been no foreign opposition, but this is one of the many opportunities Australia has let slip. Under present conditions the New I Hebrides will always be a source of I trouble."