AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1107, 19 May 1893, Page 19

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(PRESS AS§ OCT ATION.) Sydney, May 17. A debate took place in the Legislative Council last night upon the advisability, in view of the present depression, of proceeding with the consideration of the Federation question 1 . Members generally thought it would be unwise to go on with the project at present. No motion, however, was proposed. Sir Arthur Stepjiens has been created a Privy Councillor."" - Melbourne, May 17. The Premier, entertains the hope that the financial disasters will, bear fruit by hastening Federation. Fred Humphries, formerly secretary to the Employers'.Union, was to-day further charged with embezzling the moneys of the union, and sentenced to 11 months' imprisonment. To-day has been observed as a day of humiliation, and special services have been held in the churches, Sydney, May 17. The final report of the Select Committee upon the establishment of a National Bank has been laid on the table of the Assembly. , It suggests the establishment of a bauk as not only practicable, but urgently necessary, and the members of the committee consider that such an institution would add greatly to the welfare of the community. They believe it would be a source of profit and saving to the Government, and would conserve the financial credit of the colony. Its functions would include the sole right to issue a note "currency, and the transaction of the business of all the Government departments. Notice of motion has been given in the Assembly by Mr Walker to discontinue the contribution towards the maintenance of the Auxiliary Squadron. Sydney, May 17. There was an all night sitting, on the Estimates, in the Legislative Assembly last night. It was decided that the 10 per cent reduction in the salaries of the Civil Servants should not apply to railway officials, as the amount of salaries paid in this branch of the public service is vested in the Railway Commissioners, under the Railway Management Act.