Page 3 Advertisements Column 5

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 12929, 27 July 1905, Page 3

.The wreck of the R.M.S. Australia, now lying at the Port Phillip Heads, is to ba blown up. Some time ago the P. and 0, Company wrote to the Government asking it to name a price at which it would undertake the work. The Government declined) to 11. this, intimating that the work would only be done on condition that the company, gave an indemnity for the full cost, and to cover also all damages and expenses of any kind whatever, and from any source that' might be incurred by the Government. At a meeting of the Cabinet a notification wan received from the company that it was willing to give such an indemnity, and it was agreed that the Government should demolish the wreck on those conditions. Although Tasmania complains bitterly oil the loss of revenue since Federation, "the Customs Department points out that she has materially gained from inter-State freetrade. During the' last year the goods exported to other States included sheep to the value oi £40,000, beer to the value of £32,000,, bottled and other preserved fruits to the value of £33.000, jams to the value of £58.000, and blankets to the value oS £4000. These are hi addition to large; exports in agricultural products. The Department contends that Tasmania's present', grievance ought to be placed alongside the; advantage which -freetrade in all the States! ha£ pggn her,, : ."'