AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

North Otago Times, 25 September 1908, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(By Elebtrio Telcgraph.-Capyright.)

Per Pres9 Association,

Beceived Sept, 24, at '9.30 p.m.' : Melbourne-, Sept, 24, ' The Government representative in the Senate stated thatjhe Government has not abandoned tha intention ,to introduce measures; to' secure preferential. trade with New Zealand and Canada. Negotiations with both countries will be resumed when thci congestion of public, business da .rolicv«L : '. •' • . At the hides sales there was goad feut prices are unchanged. Received Sept. 25,' a t 12.40 .a.m. ~.' ) Sydney, Sept. 24. ' : The Treasurer's Budget statement shows tJiat the rovenuo for' the past year was £16,467,000 and -the expenditure £13,790,000. The estimated revenue fos the coming, year, was '£14,753,000 and tie ■•expenditure £14,142,000, showing a surplus, of £300,00q. He expeoted to receive £400,000 less from the Commonwealth tMs' year than last year, whonhe received three millions. The railways last year returned interest at the rate of £4 lOq lOd, yielding a surplus of £671,000.

Received Sept. 25, at 1,5 a.m. (Melbourne,' Sept. 24.. Tho Lords, of the Admiralty consider security from oversea attack of tho Empire is beat) secured by the operation of the Imperial navy* distributed as the statogic necessities of the moment dictate. At -the same time thoy recognise that under certain conditions the establishment! of , a , local flotilla, acting in conjunction with air. Imperial force, would greatly assist, They at the samo time recognise the importance of providing full security of the coast tmtl towns of the Commonwealth by tho provision of a'local aqiiadron. They wero readyi to cooperate in the formation of such a flotilla, subject to' satisfactory arrangements in regard to tho' general adnanißtratjion' of tho foroo. Nowcas'tlo, Sept, 21. Sailed—Selwyn Craig, for 'Auckland,

Melbourne, September 2t. Mr Dcakin tabled tho correspondence with tho Admiralty in reference to hia proposal to establish an Australian fleet. Tlia sohemo, as uklorstood ty tho Admiralty, is for • the Commonwealth to and maintain a flotilla of six destroyers, seven submarines and two, depot ships j tho men to be BUpplied by itlic Impenial Government, but as many as possible to bo Australian' citizens ; the administrativo control to remain with the Commonwealth, subject to Admiralty' conditions, The estimated total cost, of ships will bo £1,377i,500-. Tha question of construction is to be loft' to future consideration. ;:Tjtf tmn(ffl|jdMAttMflfl|^H^H other Pay The Hl^^^H^H Tho rnrliai^^^H^^^^^^flH ncsdny.^^^^^^^^^^^^^^H The to <^alnnd^^^H^^^^H^HH the jHHRRRHHRHRH

Wo Public Works Amendment Bill was read n second timo, and roforrcd to tho Statutes Bevision Committee. Tho second reading of tho. Judiciary Bill was moved, ' ' . The Attorney-General explained .that ine Bill, was to create a Court of Appeal for New Zealand, abolish District Courts, and provide a more effiwent and economic judiciary. The prosent system was unsatisfactory, it ; 'aufled delays, work accumulated, and inconvenience was caused to litigants and the public. Tho District Court system was now obsolete. There would' bp an additional Judge, but no extra expenditure to the Dominion. • ■ There would be no difference in tho status ■1 -ft 0 " The Appeal Couit woultl s-t in Wellington, aid other ohiof centres when necessary, reducing' tho cost ot litigants. > The Bill was read a second time, ml referred to the Statutes Revision . oinimtlce,

The Attorney-General sdid it was >l)Vioug tho Bill could not pass this cssion, but would bo gone on with ipv t session. 1

D ,„ se ,^ nd fading, of tho Mana-watu-Wellmgton Bnilway Purchase Bill Was agreed to, '■• The Attornoy-Gcneral said the mat'or of the classification of the company s employees entering tho Govern•cnt service would receive consideration, and if necessary, justice''would be done next session. 1 > ■ ■

The Impounding Amendment Bill was reported, with drafting amendments, , ■•'•••.•■ •■'•■-'■ ■.-'- • ■■ •

On the.second rending of the Pollco fences Bill the Attorney-General said he intended to introduce clausop deal"ng with habitual drunkards, an'd'thoir Jetpntioiirin reformative homes. ■ ;Tho Justices Amendments Bill ; was wad a second'timc,V: : iV. The Kro'Brigq'dos Aniehdulent Bill? was dealt' with in Committee. ■,.;",,. :An a'inefjdn!en|r;'wa8 v clause 4, Wctipn f), increasing the%v;owiiu powers: of ,boardsHo'<£lo,()oo.^ Another nraendmehtnprovides • :s&■ superintendents : at alltreasonable times',

■suchjovMutiohs •'th!? B•■'° 8 •■'°' i l'\ ; ! , wV.visit*of::inspectwn: <■'{ \- rT™-) AttorhpyrGoheraii, gavia v iaotice lo toove ;sat,;ttio;.Cbun;cii s*siti 'on*Mou-' j

:>!%lnls6V^ye^nc^ce':'iritrodttcing!' ; fif| ten ;new JillsHncluffing *the National ft^^Sll»^Wmigrftion>Ecstrici ( Traffic,' Old, Age Pension, and .State. Fire'lnsurance. ••'■ , The Council adjourned at 4.45.