AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 15131, 23 October 1912, Page 7

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

By Telegraph.—Press Association.—

DEFENCE OF THE PACIFIC. Melbourne, October 22. In speaking at the Trafalgar Day celebrations yesterday, Senator Pearce (Minister for Defence) urged the necessity of the Mother Country and the Dominions acting together. With this object in view the Federal Government was looking to New Zealand, and asking her to join in making the fleet unit for the Pacific stronger and larger. ;

HIGH PRICE FOR POTATOES.

Sydney, October 22.

Ono hundred and thirty bags of Tagmanian redskin potatoes realised £16 10s yesterday, a rise of 50s, and a record price lor the last 10 years.

A COALMINERS' FEDERATION. Melbourne, October 22. After an address from Mr. Hickey, of the New Zealand Federation of Labour, a. meeting of Wonthaggi miners endorsed iho proposal to form a federation of the coalminers of Australasia.

. THE .ANTI-TRUST ACT. Mki.boui:xe_, October 22. In the steamship companies' appeal against the fine for refusing to answer questions under the Anti-Trust Act, the High Court decided that the companies were not compelled to answer. The appeal was allowed, with costs.

GOLD IN THE DUST. Melbourne, October 22. After the Federal gohl reserve of four million sovereigns had recently been recounted, the dust was swept up, and it yielded £1 9s worth of gold. After the gold had been treated the Treasury benefited to the extent of 18s 4d. RAIN IN NEW SOUTH WALES. Sydney, October 22. Steady rain set in to-day. It was greatly needed in the agricultural and pastoral districts. A CHARITY COLLECTION. . Sydney, October 22. The united charities' collection on Saturday totalled £2015, about equal to last year's total. FASCINATION OF THE TOTALISATOR Sydney, October 22. Mr. Bruntnel!, M.L.A., in speaking against the totalisator yesterday, said that no doubt the fascination of the machine increased the volume of betting amongst all classes in Mew Zealand. The real danger seemed to him to be that it would draw into its toils the individual who would not dream of betting with the bookmaker. PREFERENCE TO UNIONISTS. Sydney, October 22. The Builders' Association is determined to resist the union demands for preference to unionists.