AUSTRALIAN NEWS

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12001, 25 June 1902, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

By Telegraph.—Press Association.—Copyright,! THE FIJIANS AND THE LATE QUEEN] VICTORIA. Suva, June 24. The " Burua" held at the island of Mbatf yesterday to signalise the conclusion of the period of mourning for the late Queen Vic-' toria was one of the most impressive native gatherings ever held in Fiji in modern! times. Five thousand Fijians participated in the ceremonies, which had not been witnessed since the casting off of the mourning for King Thakomb&u many years ago. Thef head chiefs from all parts of the group wers present. They presented the Governor iritis the sum of £1700,. collected among the natives, for the purpose of establishing a Vicsj toria memorial in Fiji. For this object there is now over £3000 in hand. WAGES OF SEAMEN. ' , ; v Sydney,, Jane "24. 'J The inter-State Conference of Steamship? Owners and Seamen's Union resulted in an) agreement whereby the present rates of payj remain in force till the end of January nextJ The owners held that trade -had not im-' proved sin& last conference, and that; wages should be reduced, but agreed not Urj insist on a reduction. It is hoped that withn the final settlement of the tariff trads willt return to its normal condition, the seamen? agreeing that if there is no improvement;* when the agreement ends they will accept W; reduction of at least 10s per month, without;, further question. THE FODDER DUTIES. Sydney, June 24. j The Mayor presided at a large meeting,? including a number of members of Parlia-', ment, in the Town Hall, when it was re-" solved to urge on the Federal Governments the necessity for suspending the fodder*' duties in the interests of the pastoral in* dustry. (Received June 24, 10.40 p.m.) Sydney, June 24. The railway authorities have discovered abuses of starving stock, and the conces< sions to fodder agents consigning to eta* tions just out-side the metropolitan area*, have been reduced, the rates thence for* warding being ordinary rates. THE STRIKE OF LUMPERS. Townsville, June 24. Strike affairs are unchanged. The steamers are getting away with a little delay* The waterside workers are waiting for instructions from headquarters in Melbourne. THE FEDERAL MAILS. Melbourne, June 24. A return shows that the Commonwealths . pays £140,000 annually for the carriage of; external and costal rails, including £72,000' to the Orient and Peninsula Companies, arxf £17,500 to the Vancouver service. GALE AT NORFOLK ISLAND. ! (Received Jane 24, 10.40 p.m.) ; Norfolk Island, June 24. \ Heavy weather prevails, and the steamed Titus was compelled to leave without ship* ping cargo