AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Mail, 27 August 1902, Page 44

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

BRISBANE, August 21. In the Legislative Assembly, Air Cowley moved an amendment in favour of the withdrawal of the Income Tax Bill.

The Government accepted the amendment as one of want-of-confidence, and it was negatived by 55 votes to 5. BRISBANE. August 22. The Queensland Premier (Hon. R. Philp) declares that if the federal Government, despite Judge Dashwood’s report on the pearl-shelling industry, persists in policy, the industry will be

either ruined or transferred to the Dutch.

SYDNEY, August 21. The State Treasurer (Hon T. Waddell) declares that, owing to the serious falling-off ■ in revenue on account of the drought and other causes, systematic retrenchment in all departments, is absolutely necessary. It is believed one form of retrenchment will be a percentage reduction in the salaries of Civil servants. g> SYDNEY, August 22.

The New South Whiles Premier states that there is no present intention to retrench the salaries of Civil servants but no increases will be granted. The Government will strictly economise.

. In the State Legislative Assembly, the Standing Orders being suspended, Mr James Ashton (Goulburn) moved in favour of the importation of fodder through the agency of the Government. After a long debate, the' motion was negatived by 51 votes to 32. In reply to a communication from the Premier (Sir John See) with the object of ascertaining the views of the other States in regard to suspension of the fodder duties, the Premiers of So.uth Australia and Tasmania have expressed the opinion that it would be a dangerous precedent. The question c-f suspension of the fodder duties was again discussed in the House last night. The Hon. A. Deakin. Acting-Premier, said that it rested with the States to take action; the federal Government would take .none. SYDNEY. August 23.

The federal Government having refused to suspend the fodder duties, and the other State Premiers not being favourable to their suspension, the Premier (Sir John See) states that he is opposed to the New South Whiles Government accepting the responsibility. He, however, offers his services as' head of the Government, and' an experienced commercial man, to the pastoralists, and will purchase for them in (he best markets, and charter steamers for the carriage of all fodder required, without charging any commission.

The State’s offer means that stockowners will get fodder practically at cost price.

It is estimated that at least £IOO,OOO worth of fodder will be reouired week-

The movement in favour of suspension of. the duties or a concession to assist the importation of fodder is again being vigorously renewed in all parts cf the State.

The importation of fodder into '•New South Wales, not including vast quantities which come direct over the border from Victoria and South Australia, since the commencement of the year is valued at over a million, and has lately been at the rate of £50,000 a week. Despite the rain—which, excepting in scattered areas, is far short of requirements—the outlook is exceedingly gloomy, and worse times, with great shortage of stock, are predicted on all hands.

As a sample of the hardships suffered by stockowners, it is stated that one station alone has spent £50,000 during the last three months to keep sheep alive.

The Sydney water supply question is daily becoming more acute, and the authorities are adopting more stringent measures to cut down the consumption. The death is announced, suddenly, of Air N. F. Giblin, formerly inanagfcV of the Bank of New Zealand at Sydney. In view of a possible recrudescence of plague, the crusade against rats is being resumed in the city. Another day for. their general destruction has been fixed.

The hot-flv has made its appearance in the Alurrumburrah district, 230 miles south-west of Sydney, causing alarm to the settlers.

York Holder again won the five-mile cross-country championship. His time was 28min 53see. . SYDNEY, August 24.

All hope of finding the steamer Quirang (now sixty-two days out from New. castle to Dunedin) has been abandoned here.

MELBOURNE, August 21. The federal House has passed a clause in the Postal Bill permitting meteorological bureau telegrams to be sent free.

AIELBOTJRNE, August 22. Sir William Lyne, Acting-Minister of Defence, announced in the federal House that the military estimates show a reduction of £150,000 as compared with last year. The federal Senate negatived a clause inserted by the House in the Electoral Bill declaring that State members shoul be'capahle of nomination to either fedo ral House.

AIELBOTJRNE, August 23. In reply to a protest from the State Premiers against the clause in the Federal Electoral Bill debarring members of the State Parliaments being nominated as candidates for the Commonwealth Parliament, the Acting-Pre-mier (Air Deakin says the federal Government regrets its inability to adopt the views of the Premiers.

PERTH, August 22. Fremantle has been declared free from plague.

PERTH, August" 23. The eastern farming districts are suffering from severe drought, and the late crops are ruined. HOBART, August 21. The steamer Wakanui, from the Cape, has two men on board convalescent

from small-pox. The local authority refused to allow thirty-three Austral!* soldiers who are on board to land tj, ■will proceed to Auckland with the at l Zealand troopers.