AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10100, 8 April 1896, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Press Association.—Electric Telegraph.— SAWDUST CARTRIDGES. Melbourne, April 7. In connection with the Easter encampment, it is stated that the field gun cartridges were half full of sawdust, and that manj missed fire. The Age says this is due to retrenchment. THE QUEENSLAND ELECTIONS. Brisbane, April 7. There are six more seats to be contested, of which four are considered certain for the Government, and two for the Labour Party. This will make the relative strength of parties in the new Parliament as follows Ministerial 43 ■ Opposition and Labour „« 29 FATAL COLLISION IN THE YARRA. Melbocrxk, April 7. Last night the steamer Burrumbeet while coming up the west channel, the night being very dark, collided with and sank the yacht: Cacique. Three occupants, Alfred Terry, Michael Ramsay, and a boatman whose name is unknown wero drowned. A fourth man was rescued. They saw the steamer when close upon them, but failed in an attempt to jibe. NEW SOUTH WALES POLICY. Sydney, April 7. Speaking at Tenter Geld the Premier said the colony was undergoing the hard test of expsrience of the new legislation. If that experience showed the policy was a mistake he would bo the first to undo what had been done. He was determined to act) thoroughly up to his convictions. FIRE IN A MINE. Melbourne, April 7. A fire in the Woah Tramp Cantar mine l , Billarat, destroyed all the surface works, including the winding and other machinery, besides greatly damaging the shaft. Sixty men are idle. The damage is estimated at) £4000. THE TAX ON COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS. Melbourne, April 7. The annual conference of the United Commercial Travellers' Association passed a resolution condemning the tax imposed on commercial travellers by New Zealand as unfriendly and impolitic.

| SOUTH AUSTRALIAN POLITICS. Adelaide, April 7. Many candidates have already held electioneering meetings. The Premior Ins taken an early opportunity of unfolding the Ministerial policy, which, however, add! but little to what had already boen announced. He said the Government, by all means in its power, intended to push Federation on a democratic basis. He advocated intercolonial free trade, with protection against the outside vvorid. Ib was, ho said, intended to go in for the Referendum and elective Ministries, and the reduction of the qualification for the Legislative Council train £'25 to £15; also, a new system of biennial retirement from the Council, electoral reform, and consolidation as far as their finances were concerned. Their motto would bo economy, and he expressed himself very hopeful of being able to avoid fresh taxation, but on that point ho could not speak with absolute certainty. Ho did not propose that there should be any change in the land and incomo taxes, but the exception under income tax would be raised from £120 to £150. A Bill would be introduced next session to reform the civil service and' establish a superannuation fund. TimPremier continuing, said that he hoped to iniko considerable savings by loan conversions. They would proceed cautiously and not borrow rashly, but would expend a considerable amount on railways and other necossary public works. The growth of the export of the products of the colony, too, would receive strong encouragement. An Employers' Liabilities Act would again be to the fore, and other measures to be introduced would include Bills in the interests of seamen and uniform maritime legislation. It was intended, ho said, to deal with the licensed victuallers on the basis of last year's Bill, and as to insurance, unless companies rendered it unnecessary, the Government would persist in a system of State insurance. Concluding, the Premier said he was strongly opposed to coloured labour.