AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8584, 4 June 1891, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Press Association.— Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. POLITICAL CRISIS IN NEW SOUTH WALES. Sydney, June 3. V Both the Government and Opposition parties are actively : engaged preparing for the coming campaign. It is understood that the Opposition will leave Federation an open question, while protection and the one man one vote will be the prominent feature in their programme. The labour party made a strenuous but unavailing effort to induce Sir George Grey to remain over the elections to assist them. ' .;>• '' ,

THE AUSTRALIAN CRUISERS. . • Sydney, June 3. - Victoria is making strenuous efforts to get the route of the auxiliary squadron altered from Torres Straits to King George's Sound, so that the vessels may make Melbourne the first port of call instead of Sydney as at present intended. The Victorian Government have made overtures to New Zealand and Tasmania, asking them to use their influence in the same direction.

RUST IN WHEAT. Sydney, June 3. The intercolonial conference which was convened to inquire into the ravages of rust in wheat, has commenced its sittings.

THE REDUCED CABLE RATES. Melbourne, June 3. The returns for the oast month show that under the new cable rates, receipts are 16 per cent, below the monthly average under the old tariff, while the number of words transmitted has increased 80 per cent. SHIPPING. Melbourne, June 3. Sailed : Hauroto, s.s., and Othello, for the Bluff. Newcastle, June 3. Arrived: Pendlehill, from Napier. Sailed: Kate Tathara, for Napier; Clifton, for Lyttelton; May Newton, for Auckland. - Sydney, June 3. Arrived: S.s. Waihora, from Wellington. '