AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11716, 26 July 1901, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

By Telegraph.—Press Association.—Copyright!} THE FIJIAN ORDINANCE. Melbourne, July 25. Mr. Barton, the Commonwealth ■ stated that he was in communication with! ; Mr. Seddon with a view to finding out if , the Governor of Fiji's proclamation, with/ .;...'.; reference to agitating against the.form ot government is an interference with thf rights of free speech of British subjects. NEW SOUTH WALES PARLIAMENT., :■'-. ' -." ..'V-'''^'..•'■- ; ' ■: ' Sydney, July 25. V :*; In the Legislative Assembly the j Leaded '\' of the Opposition, after generally condemn* > , : ing the administration of the Government! and their failure to meet Parliament before/ , the election, moved a motion of censure* : : The debate was adjourned. ~ 'C; -" The Legislative Council has adopted. t&f Address-in-Reply. ■'"■••>> , (Received Jnly 25, 1.8 a.m.) Sydney, July ■ 25.. In the Legislative Assembly the censura - , debate is proceeding. A Government vie* ■: tory is assured.. ; FATAL ACCIDENT ON THE . ' MONOWAI. I . Sydney, July 25. \[ . ■ During the trip of the Monowai" fronj Wellington a seaman named R. Saunders, a| native of Port Chalmers, fell from the mast* '■"• head and was killed. . * MEASLES ON A TROOPSHIP. Perth, July; 25. " Measles are rapidly spreading aboard thtf troopship Britannic. .There are now reported to be over 500 cases. . ' »' THE'PLAGUE. ' • \v, Brisbane, July 25.: : • : . A' wharf labourer, named G-logun, has ; ; been attacked by, plague. THE SYDNEY FIRE. (Received July 25, 10.20 p.m.) .'.., j, -v:'■' '•"'" ■ •■ Sydney, July 25. The jury returned an open verdict at th» inquest on Clegg, and added a rider that Hordern's and similar buildings should be < provided with special means of escape in ■ case of fire, and the employees instructed in the use of appliances for extinguishing outbreaks.

FEDERAL IMMIGRATION RESTRICTION BILL. ■ (Received July 25, 10.20 p.m.) Melbourne, July 25. . . The Federal Immigration Restriction 8i11■..'...;: prohibits the immigration of any persona unable to write and sign a dictated passage in the English language; anyone likely; to* .-;•.- become a charge upon the public institm' ■■■■■ tions; idiots.' lunatics, convicted criminals,; ] and otner objectionable characters, and suf-J ferera . from infectious diseases, under w, ; penalty of six months' imprisonment, and deportation. Masters, owners, and char*' terers of vessels landing prohibited person* : , are made liable. . Immigrants failing to pass' the education test, but thought fit;otherswise,: may be admitted on the payment oE,;; £100. The Bill does not apply to PacificIsland labourers. I THE BOXING CONTEST FATALITY.; | Sydney, July 25. ' " \ The jury found that Cribb died from in* 1 juries received in a boxing contest, 'as dis-t I tinguished from a prize-fight. ■ ■■. ■■'■.'-' • ■ . " : .,' COLOURED LABOUR ON MAIL STEAMERS. (Received July 26, 1.8 a.m.) ■ Melbourne, July 25. - In the House of Representatives, 'Mr* ; Watson (New South Wales), Leader of thd . Labour party, moved the adjournment to discuss the employment; of coloured, laboui! on mail steamers. The Orient Company* . he said, had at last had to succumb to tha competition of the P. and 0., and was replacing its white by Lascar crews. Thai employment of coloured labour was unfair to the Australian coastal steamers. New Zealand and other countries put clauses in!. their mail contracts providing tor the employment oi white seamen only. Mr. Barton said he fully ; sympathised with the mover, but the subject was a difficult one to deal with. Australia was only; | one party to the mail contracts, and there I was not the same readiness on the part of the Imperial authorities to exclude coloured labour as here. It must be remembered that the views of India, which, equally with Australia, participated in the contracts, were entitled to respect. The Government would - endeavour to have terms made that would minimise, if not do away with the' conditions in the existing contracts. '; Mr. Reid, speaking for the whole Opposition, assured Mr. Barton he was heartily; with him. ' Members generally supported the extinc-' . tion coloured labour. NEW ZEALAND AND FIJI. (Received July 26, 1.8 a.m.) ' ' - ; Melbourne, July 25. Mr. Barton adheres to the opinion I thai! it is highly undesirable to have two large important federations in the Southern Seas. "■'■'. He will therefore make ?■ representations ta that effect with regard to any attempt made to federate by Fiji and New Zealand.