AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12523, 16 March 1904, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

fcy {Telegraph.— Press Association.—Copyright* ARBITRATION COURT. (Received March 15, 9.30 p.m.), , . Sydntit, March IBj TSB Arbitration Court has decided thaS strike levies are illegal, and cannot be forced. It has also decided that the local Shipping Act does not distinguish between' an A.B. and ordinary seamen, the ; term) ■■. being intended to cover ordinary seamen. REDISTRIBUTION OF SEATS. ... (Eeeeircd March 15, 9.30 p.m.) Sydney, March. 15, { The Redistribution of Seats Commission hag issued maps for the rearrangement of -i the country electorates, to reduce the number of representatives from 30 to 17. . SWIMMING. . • Sydney, March 15. The swimming carnival was continued' at Newcastle. The 220 yds' championship resulted in.Cavill beating Ueran by three yards. Craig, who was third, finished 12 ' yards ahead of Creaghe, the New Zealander. Time, 2m. 31 l-ss. constituting an; Australian record. TASMANIAN PARLIAMENT.' Hobabt,' March 15.

The Premier has announced that wheal •'' Parliament opens the Council will first bo asked to agree to a Bill providing . for the dissolution of both Houses if they hare disagreed twice after an interval of six months. If the Council refuses to ac- ; cept this an alternative measure will be.:' ; ; submitted providing for a convention of the people and the draft of a new Constitution*' Indications point to a stormy session, (Eeoeired March 1(1, 1.9 a.m.) '"'■ HoeabTj March 15. v '::V|

The Tasmanian Parliament was opened by the Governor. The speech covered

the constitutional changes foreshadowed . by the Premier yesterday. The Bills promised include the repeal of the, , personal exertion clause in tie In*; come Tax Act 2 taxation of absentee land-> .' lords, the reduction of the salary of future' Governors. The early departure of the Governor, on the grounds of health t was •' announced. The debate on the Address-a®" - ■ Reply is proceeding. .

CLAIM FOB DAMAGES, V Sydney, March 15.- v -'■ Mr. Walter Bradford has commenced aaf < " action against the Huddart-Parker Steam-' }{. ship Company, claiming £500 damages in t" connection witn the wreck of the steamer* Elingamite, which occuirred on the New;' Zealand coast on the voyage from Sydney]J - to Auckland. The grounds of his claim al-'j lege that defendants, by their servanibs and•' agents, so negligently navigated the vessel 1 that she was wrecked, and that plaintiff was compelled to leave her and go without S food, drink, and shelter for a long time/ and suffered other great hardships. MELBOURNE 'ELECTORATE:. MekbournEj. March 15. ' Sir M. McEacharn and Mr. Maloney are actively preparing to recontest the Melbourne electorate. . ' "t. ■ <['.\j'^-; : CYCLING. ■ Sydney, March 15. t McFarland won his heat in the Sydney' - £1000 handicap.