AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Mataura Ensign, 25 January 1912, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

SEVERE BUSH FIRES. FARMERS' HEAVY LOSSES. BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.—COPYRIGHT. PKE UNITBII PRESS ASSOCIATION. Received January 25, 9 a.m. SYDNEY, Jan. 24. Bush tires swept 1000 acres in the hill districts on the south coast. Farmers are severe losers and much grass and hay and many crops have been destroyed. NEW SOUTH WALES IMMIGRANTSReceived January 25, 9.40 a.m. SYDNEY, Jan. 25. Cabinet has decided to supersede the present nominative by a selective committee system of immigrants. PROTESTANT ASSOCIATION. Received January 25, 9.40 a.m. SYDNEY, Jan. 25. The resolutions carried at the annual Convention of the Grand Federal Council of the Protestant Defence Association included a protest against the No Temere decree and an expression of sympathy with the Unionists in Ireland in their endeavor to maintain, civil and religious liberty by resisting Home Rule. NEW SOUTH WALES SHIPPING. Received Jamiarv 2">, 9 a.m. SYDNFA', Jan. 25. An official report dealing with shipping shows the tonnage of vessels entering New South Wales ports in 1860 was under half a million, while in 1910 the total was nearly six and a-half million. Since the Federation of the States trade has expanded enormously, the tonnage of inward shipping increasing by 57 per cent, and of outward shipping by 68 per cent.