AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11199, 20 October 1899, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

By Telegraph.-PressAssociation-Copyright, SMALLPOX AT ALBANY. Aidant, October 19. The White Star liner Afric has arrived from London. She has on board six developed and two suspected cases of smallpox. There are 250 passengers on board. Smallpox broke out a few days after the steamer left the Cape. FISHING FATALITY. Melbourne, October 19. Two fishermen named Patterson and Bel* gin were drowned at Portland by the capsizing of a boat. < FEDERATION. Sidsk, October 19. Mr. J. G. Ward, interviewed here, said since he had been away there had been a movement to bring New Zealand into lino with the Australian Federation. It looked to him now as if New Zealand could only watch. If she was to come into the Federation it must be done when the opinion of the people was sufficiently advanced to • warrant the step being taken. Looking to the immense potentialities of trade between Australia and New Zealand, it would be in the interest of both to endeavour to establish a Customs union on carefully thought-out lines. If they were ever to be brought into a common fold the project must be approached with caution and proceeded with by gradual steps. The Sydney Chamber of Commerce appointed a committee to collect information re the Federal tariff. THE CABLE QUESTION. ; Sydney, October 19. Air J. G. Ward favours both the Pacifi6 and the Cape cables. The development of the Cape trade, he says, must be enormous, and the construction of the Pacific cable is no reason why private enterprise should nob give us another route. A member of the Sydney Chamber of Commerce protested against the consent recently given by the committee of the Chamber to the Cape cable scheme, which, ho said, meant a nail in the coffin of the Pacific cable. Melbourne, October 19. The Argus considers the hostility to the Cape cable inexplicable, especially as it means an immediate reduction of rates, and as the Cape trade advantages outweigh the Canadian.. THE GOLDFIELDS DISPUTES. Perth, October 19. The Cabinet has decided that no circunu stances have arisen in connection with the alluvial dispute which the Law Courts could not deal with. , QUEENSLAND POLICE SCANDALS. Brisbane, October 19. In evidence before the Police Commission Sergeant Crawford stated that two detectives were implicated in an attempt to get Wilson hanged for the Oxley murder, and that by false testimony they induced a prisoner to swear that Wilson confessed the murder to J ] him while in prison. DEMAND FOR TRANSPORTS. ' V Brisbane, October 19. Owing, to the large demand for transports .:v by the Imperial authorities the A.U.S.N, • , X Company ■ have decided to withdraw the , ; *f steamers Bulimba and Waroonga from thirst Australian trade, and despatch them' to "I India. ' $ : ■ ===== *.