AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9366, 24 November 1893, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Press Association.—Electric Telegraph.—Copyright FROZEN MEAT EXPORT. Adelaide, November 23. In the Legislative Assembly, Mr. Riddoch moved, " That a bonus be granted on the export of frozen meat of a halfpenny per lb." The Premier deprecated the action of pastoralists in this matter, and moved an amendment to refer the question to the Government for consideration during the recess. The debate was adjourned till December 13. NEW MARITIME UNION. _ Melbourne, November 23. A meeting of waterside workers enthusiastically carried a resolution that the time has arrived when the workers engaged in shipping should come into line, and that a Union be formed to be called the Associated Waterside Union of Australasia, and affiliated direct with the Australian Labour Federation. COLLAPSE OF A MINERS' STRIKE. Melbourne, November 23. The strike of miners at Korumburra, for payment for raising slack, has collapsed. v MERCANTILE BANK CASES. Melbourne, November 23. The Mercantile Bank defendants were allowed bail, viz., £100 in their own recognisances. VICTORIAN AGENT-GENERAL. Melbourne, November 23. The Government has decided to ask Sir Andrew Clarke to fill the position of Agent-General for Victoria for a few months longer. The Government conI sider it is essential that the gentleman who next fills the position should possess the energy and determination to find markets in Great Britain and Europe for Victorian produce. VICTORIAN 7 REVENUE. Melbourne, November 23. In consequence of territorial revenue falling £58,000 below the Treasurer's estimate since July it has been decided to press selectors and Crown'lessees for their arrears in rents, amounting to over £600,000. VICTORIAN™TARIFF. Melbourne, November 23. One of the witnesses before the Tariff Board suggests that Melbourne should be made a free port for vessels seeking freights. Such a course would enable produce to be exported at lower rates than at present, and would help to build up an export trade. A DERELICT SCHOONER. Adelaide, November 23. The hull of a three-masted American schooner of 300 tons has been washed ashore near Port Caroline. The vessel has apparently been drifting about for several years. There is no clue as to her name. MESSAGERIES MARITIMES SERVICE Brisbane, November 23. Comte de Maillefeu is visiting this colony, in order to study the possibility of making Brisbane the terminal port of the Menageries Maritimes steamers, via Torres Straits, with a connecting steamer to 'Frisco, via Noumea. Later. The Comte de Maillefeu is travelling for pleasure, and not on behalf of the Messageries-Maritimes Company, who have done nothing to induce the belief that the present route of their steamers will be changed, though the French Consul in Sydney favours the change mentioned. ' . A BUILDING SOCIETY FRAUD. Melbourne, November 23. Investigation into the affairs of the South Melbourne Permanent Building and Investment Society has discovered another £40,000 to be missing. This is attributed to fraud on the part of M&tthies Larkin, late Secretary of the Society, who is at present serving a sentence of six years' penal servitude for defrauding the institution. NEW SOUTH WALES BANKING LEGISLATION. Sydney, November 23. Sir George Dibbs, in movingtheyecond reading of the 'Bank Bill, said if it became law it would go a long way towards placing the banking instituj tions in this colony on something like the footing of the Bank of England. This legislation was required, not in the interests of the banks., but in the interests of the trading community. Mr. McMillan desired to limit the Bill to twelve months, but Sir George Dibbs dissented from this, though he was willing to make the term two years. Mr. McMillan remarked that the next eighteen months would be a period of bitter recovery for the country. The second reading of the Bill was carried by 65 to 34 Later. On the motion for the adoption o» the Bank Bill there was considerable discussion, and eventually the closure was applied. The report was adopted, and the third reading was made an order of the day for Tuesday. The Bank Bill has passed through committee after strenuous opposition. Numerous obstructive amendments were proposed, but all of them proved futile. The most important alteration proI vides that the Government shall not add to the list of banks specified in the Bill, and to which the Bill applies. The total value of notes to be issued by any one bank is restricted to a million sterling. The term of the Act is fixed for eighteen months. Strong opposition is anticipated when the Bui reaches th report stage. FEDERATION. Sydney, November 23. The Legislative Council is considering the Federation Bill in Committee, Sir Henry Parkes visits Perth next month, chiefly in the interests of federaI tion, .... . . ..........