AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15639, 19 June 1914, Page 7

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

STATE FIRE INSURANCE..' WORKING IN THE DOMINION. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright, Sydney, Juno 18. In an interview yesterday on the subject of State fire insurance in New Zealand, Mr. Robert McNab said that it met with immense opposition' from the companies, who pictured the usual disasters, but the State system was now fairly established, and he did not think any Government would abolish, it. He considered that in the, Dominion it had served ils main purpose, via., of preventing the public being exploited by a monopoly which naturally existed when insurance was in the hands of a few companies. II opposition to the State office now existed, it was not prominent in the Dominion, MB. PAB2 INTERVIEWED. PACIFIC DEFENCE PROBLEM. (Received Juno 18. 8.35 p.m.) , Sidney, June 18. In .an interview to-day, Mr. 0. J. Parr, Mayor of Auckland, said he was confident that the great majority of the people of New Zealand were dead against sending money Home, merely to strengthen the North Sea fleet. If a sum of £250,000 was sent, it just meant that Mr, Lloyd George would reduce his.own estimates to -aat amount, and New Zealand would be no bottor off in the Pacific The solution of the problem was the union of Australia, New Zealand, and Canada for naval defence. TERRIBLE DOMESTIC TRAGEDY. MAN COMMITTED FOR TRIAL. (Received Juue 18, 885 p.m.) Sydney, June 18. After visiting some friends with his wife and children on May 13, George Cottle took his two sons, aged five and three years respectively, for a walk. A few minutes later he was found in a back lane with his throat cut and his two children lying dead beside him with their heads almost sovered. Cottle recovered, and to-day was committed for trial on a charge of murdering his children. The evidence disclosed unhappy marital relations. Cottle was addicted to drink, and was jealous of his wife. SMALLPOX IN SYDNEY. (Received Juno 19, I.IK a-m.) Sydney, June 18. Two cases of smallpox were reported in Sydney to-day. BRISBANE WOOL SALES. (Receded Juno 18. 8.35 p.m.) Brisbane, June 18. At the wool sales to-day there was animated competition. Best sorts ruled in the sellers' favour. Other classes were fully equal to the May rates. NORFOLK ISLAND CONTROL. Melbotone, June 18. The Federal Executive Council has approved of a proclamation declaring that llio Commonwealth is to assumo control of Norfolk Island from July 1. TO BE EXTRADITED. Sydxky, June 18. An extradition order has been issued against Horace Cramond, charged with stealing £350, the property of Messrs. Thomas Cook and Son, Wellington. THE DISABLED OAIRNHJLL. Sydney, Jnno 18. The disabled steamer Cairnhill will be towed from tho Bismarck Archipelago to Sydney, a, distance of 2000 miles.