AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 9832, 29 May 1895, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Press Association.—Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. BORDER TARIFF WAR. Sydney, May 28. Following upon the failure of the recent Conference to adjust the question of border railway rates the tariff war is being rebetween New South Wales and Victoria with greater activity than ever. Both are now quoting murderously low rates to secure the Riverina trade. THE PAYMENT OP MEMBERS SUIT. Sydney, May 28. I Without calling upon counsel for the defence to reply, the Full Court dismissed. the payment of members suit, holding that the Legislative Assembly was a continuous institution under the Constitution Act). A POLITICAL LABOUR LEAGUE. Sydney, May 28. An agreement has been arrived at for the amalgamation of the forces of the Labour Electoral League and the Labour Federation of Australia, by which overlapping of interests in party contests shall be prevented. The new body will be known as the Political Labour League. Candidates •will be chosen by ballot. The new rules provide that until the party obtains a majority in the House, and can form an administration of its own, no labour member shall take office as Minister. ; The platform generally is broadened so as tt include anyone subscribing to its tenets, whether a member of a labour organisation or not. The principle that the Parliamentary party, on questions affecting labourer the fate of A Government, shall vote solid as the caucus majority decides, has been rc-affirmed. THE PACIFIC CABLE. Melbourne, May 28. The Premier's suggestion that the Agents-General should be urged to press on the Pacific cable question is distinctly opposed by Tasmania, and Western Australia requires further time before committing the colony. New Zealand prefers to wait for Mr. Ward's return. Queensland has answered favourably but New South Wales and South Australia have not replied. Lb is believed the latter is unlikely to support the proposal. THE GUARDIAN ACCIDENT INSURANCE COMPANY. Mklbournk, May 28. The Guardian Accident Insurance Company will be wound up voluntarily, prior to being re-formed. THE GROUNDING OF THE NINEVEH. Sydney, May 28. The Marine Board found Captain Allan and Chief Officer Schelman, of the Aberbeen White Star liner Nineveh, guilty of default in connection with the grounding of the steamer near the Heads, but considered the case would be meb by a severe reprimand. [The Nineveh went on Cronulla Reef, three miles from Botany Heads on the 14th instant, there being a dense fog at the time. She remained on the reef four hours, and on arrival at Sydney was floated into dock for examination. It was found that for close on 50 feet on one side of the ship the plates wove "buckled," crushed in, twisted, and battered beyond description. She is a new steamer, having been launched from the Clyde yards of Napier and Co. last year. Her plates are of mild steel, the elasticity of which is its valuable part, inasmuch as it gives to pressure.J