AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1163, 15 June 1894, Page 31

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Sydney, June 7. The steamer Chingtu has been released from quarantine. It is stated that the plague is due to drought in Hongkong, causing dirt to accumulate in the streets. In view of the approaching general elections, the Country Party has issued a manifesto dealing with the questions of land reform, local government, federation of the Australian colonies, mining on private lauds, and the establishment of a State Bank. The party's platform on the question of land reform includes the abolition of sale by auction of Crown lands other than town or suburban areas. Sydney, June 9. Mr Reid, the Victorian Minister of Defence, who has returned from England, via Vancouver, has been interviewed. He states that ho found great anxiety in Great Britain to develop the meat trade, with the result that in future there will bo no scarcity of refrigerating accommodation. Ml the leading lines were fitting their vessels with the requisite machinery. Hia visit to England had shown him that the English public had greater faith in Australia than Australians had in themselves. Sydney, June 11. Parliament has been prorogued till July 11. Melbourne, June 7. Soma excitement has been caused hero by the reported intention of the Government of New South Wales to levy toll on wheat and wool crossing the Murray River for carriage to the Victorian seaboard, as a reprisal for the Victorian stock tax. Returns show that the aggregate import from New South Wales annually i* £'3,071,000. The loss in railway freight alone would be .£176,000, while the whole stock tax levied last year was X*77,<)D>. Melbourne, June 9. The American ship Habitant, 1319 tons, has been almost totally des&royad by fi>\ The vessel had discharged her inward cargo, and was about to sail for Newcastle. ■:. .■•■ ■ : " . ■ ■• ■■.;■■■■;. .; ■. £

Captain Fottor, with his wife and child, had a narrow escape. Incendiarism is suspected, as there arc indications of the cabin having been robbed. Melbourne, Juno 11. A prominent politician, who is understood to be in the confidence of Sir 0. R. Dibbs, has unfolded the latter's scheme for unification. It seems that Sir George Dibbs drafted the Bill in 10 clauses, which provides that New South Wales and Victoria should enter into partnership, the indebtedness of each to bo the fedoral dobt, tariffs to be assimilated, lands and other assets to bo combined, and a Federal Government to be established, with Sydney as the place of meeting. The local Parliaments are to be retained in the form of huge municipal •ouncils to look after local affairs. The sentenco of death on "W atson and Douglas, for the murder of the Frenchman Posset, has been commuted to imprisonment for life. The report of the two delegates who were sent to India by the Victorian Government to investigate trade prospects is somewhat discouraging. It would bo useless, they report, to attempt to introduce frozen meat into India unless proper provision were made for cool storage. The 'demand for tho best quality of moat is small, the principal business being done with the medium article. With regard to supplying the Army, tho delegates found that fresh meat can be obtained at a much less cost locally than the frozen article could be supplied at. Adelaide, Juno 7. Parliament was opened to-day. The .Governor's Speech announced that it was proposed to submit a scheme for the immediate conversion of a portion of the public debt, and its more systematic payment. Village settlements in the colony, continued the Speech, presented a hopeful outlook. It was proposed to establish an irrigation settlement on Lake Bonney. Parliament would be asked to sanction the issue of Treasury notes, and other measures affecting banking institutions would be brought forward. The Government would reintroduce progressive taxation proposals, a Women's Franchise Bill, legislation for the adoption of the Referendum system, and an amendment of the Licensed Victuallers Act to extend the principle of local option. It was hoped that Victoria would accept the suggestion to refer the boundary disputes to arbitrators selected from tho Australasian Jxidiciary. Brisbane June 8. Hongkong has been declared an infected port. Brisbane, June 11. Mr Power, Leader of the Opposition, has disclosed the policy of his party. It is opposed to the re-appointment of tho Railway Commissioners, unjust taxation and unjust retrenchment, will oncourage the export of frozen meat and dairy produce, and support the one-man-ono-vote principle and the referendum system. The party will favour fair taxation, and generally adopt the New Zealand political programme. It also intends to put a stop to ! land grant swindles and the private monopoly of railways. A woman named Spence, residing at Maryborough, poisoned herself and her five children with carbolic acid. All died with the exception of an infant. Hobart, June 7. The report of the Government Geologist regarding the Mount Huxley district has been laid on the table of the House of Assembly. He states that there has been foul play, as all the samples submitted to him had been " salted," and this vitiated

all tests. He is unable to state the value v of the deposit, if any, but believes there is alittle gold there, though not sufficient to make its working payable. The Premier says steps will be taken to punish the guilty parties.