AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1756, 1 November 1905, Page 50

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

' DESTROYING MISTLETOE, ■A strange occupation has been found far soma of the Melbourne unemployed. A gang oij men have been despatched to the Maryborough state forest to destroy mistletoe, which is stated to be Irillinfl thousands of valuable trees in the forest reserves of the State. A 'WINDFALL FOR WESTRALIA. The late iMr J. . Darling, of South Australia, an outline of the principal legacies under whose will was recently telegraphed to us from Adelaide left, says the Perth Herald,” an estate in Western Australia to the value of no less than £42,000 odd. Of this sum £40,000 was on fixed deposit &t the National Bank and £2183 in land at Geraldton. The duty which will accrue to the State on this account amounts to £3,829 7s 3d. Mr Darling .was the father of Mr John Darling, the jwell-known politician of South Australia, and Mr Joe Darling, the better known cricketer and captain of the Australian Eleven. The value of the deceased’s estate in South Australia was sworn at £67,500. ' CHINESE STOWAWAYS. When the steamer Paroo arrived at Onslow, W. A., from Singapore on Oct. six Celestials were discovered, who had stowed away during the voyage from Singapore. When the anchor .was being let go, blood was noticed on the chain. Investigation followed, and the men were found in the chain room. They must have had friends, for a hole had been cut through the deck below to permit of’ access And egress. Stowaways were suspected, ancl a search made, but without result, until the blood stains on the cable were noticed. It is understood that no serious hurt W»s done to any of the men. ■Customs-officer Beilby put the men through the test, but none could pass. JJhey were consequently taken on to Carnarvon, from whence there was a possibility of shipping them back. The Faroe sailed the same day. BOATING ACCIDENT IN HOBSON’S BAY. A sad accident happened in the bay on the night of October 18. It appears that three of the crew of the French barque Jean Bart, Louis Goutard, Joseph Gintic, and Armand Leber gue, took a boat and w'ent ashore on Wednesday afternoon at Port Melbourne. They started on their return trip to the vessel at 6 o’clock in the evening, and set sail for their ship. They were driven towards the railway pier, and evidently experienced some difficulty in making any headway against the stiff breeze that was blowing, for at half-past 9 o’clock they were still in the vicinity of the railway pier. However, they eventually got clear, and headed for their vessel. When about half a mile from the pier the boat capsized, and the three men were left struggling in the water. Gintic and Leborgue could not swim, and as they have not since been, heard of the inference is that they were drowned. Goutard struck out for the pier, and after battling for over two hours with the waves reached one of the piles. He took off his belt, made it fast to the timber, and then clung on to it. At 12 o’clock his cries attracted some of crew of the ship Linfield, who were making tiieir way out to their vessel. Goutard was then rescued, and during the morning was taken to his ship, where he remained all day in a very exhausted condition. Captain Leroux, master of the Jean Bart, states that the missing sailors were young men, and unmarried. A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM. A terrible thunderstorm, startling alike in its suddenness and its character, broke over Newcastle on the morning of October 17. The early morning was bright. A change came shortly after 11.30, when heavy clouds from the west came up. This condition of things was not specially threatening, but presently a brilliant lightning flash was followed by a crash of thunder. Again the flash, again the fhuncier, and then down in one overwhoming rush came a deluge of rain and hail. The hailstones were remarkable for their size, very few hging smaller than plums. The storm lasted over twenty minutes, and was particularly severe. Dig pellets of ice hissed through the air, and plunged on the ground, and the sti'eets soon became whitened, giving the appearance of a heavy fall of snow. In less than a quarter of an hour thirty-three points of rain had fallen. This downpour quickly converted the streets into rushing watercourses, and thei*e was very little choice for a swimmer between one Street and another. When the hail began to fall, pedestrians rushed for shelter, and the all-enduring horses in the thoroughfares hesitated to face the pellets, which bombarded them. There were Several instances, of mild panics amongst the animals, and many bad to be led on to the footpath to keap them partly sheltered. Several accidents were narrowly' averted through recalcitrant horses. Considerable damage has been done throughout Newcastle to

flower gardens and &rees, whilst in some instances windows, and particularly skylights have suffered. By midday the storm had passed, and all was spring again. AUSTRALIA’S FISCAL POLICY. The Federal Premier’s recent announcement of a policy has created a very strong feeling of confidence in the Government. Free-trad-ers are somewhat disconcerted at the straight talk indulged in by Mr Deakin on the tariff question, and the Sydney press is taking great pains to point out that free-trade has been the salvation of New South Wales. In the course of his speech, Mr Deakin said the Commonwealth, so far as it could take its stand on measures of encouragement, would help the primary producer. When the country was next appealed to it would have a definite issue put before it—“ Australia for Australians.” The Federal Government would then ask people to consider the desirability of making such arrangements with the Mother Country as would encourage her in the course of time, if not immediately, to give to Australia that preference in her markets over foreigners which the people of Australia hoped to give to England over foreigners trading with the Commonwealth. Canada recently made overtures to the Commonwealth on the subject of preferential trade between the Dominion and Australia. Federal Ministers were now studying in what way it would be profitable to develop increased trade with Canada. After consultation with the Minister of Customs, he had communicated with the South African Government on the subject of preferential trade between different portions of the British Empire in South Africa and the Commonwealth. They would rejoice to hear that as the result of cable communications with the Governments of Cape Colony, the Transvaal, Natal and the Orange River Colony, the Federal Government had every reason to hope that the convention to fee held in South Africa next February would favourably consider the proposal to grant preference to Australian products in return for a similar consideration from the Commofiwealth. “Under free-trade,” writes the “Daily Telegraph,” “New South Wales had large numbers of men employed at full rates of pay in manufacturing industries, every one of whom earned the money he received. However, if Mr Deakin has arranged with the Labour party to support him in recasting the tariff on protectionist lines, he can do it, and need not trouble about justifying that policy. The only question is what service is he going to render to Socialism in return?” Protectionists on all sides are elated at Mr Peakin’s emphatic pronouncement on flie subject, and leading protectionists declared to day that the speech will have the effect of pushing forward in this State the policy of tariff revision and preferential trade.

VICTORIA SCHOOL ATTENDANCE. It has long been patent that there has been a serious failure in the administration of the truancy provisions of the Victorian Education Act, and an attempt to remedy this will 'he made in the Truancy Bill to be proceeded with by the Minister of Education in the Legislative Council. Recently a number of raids have been made by officers of the department, and evidence has been collected showing that there are a great number of children in the streets during school hours. This is partly due to the existing law, which allows absence from school during 25 per cent, of the days of the quarter without any necessity of showing a reasonable excuse. Further, an excuse is often given that the children attend a private school, and the present law allows of practically no supervision over the attendances at such schools. The principle adopted in the bill is that which exists in New Zealand, which in turn is similar to the low in England, Western Australia and Tasmania. Instead of fixing a quarter as the period upon which a prosecution may be based, and requiring a fixed number of days’ attendance in the quarter, the bill proposes that a child may Jbe regarded as a defaulter who has not attended, during the week eight school meetings out of ten. This is counting two meetings a day. It does not follow that neglect to do this will necessarily involve a prosecution, but the provision will render it possible for a truant officer to proceed against a child observed to be loitering in the street on two successive days. Under the present law, as no action can be taken till the end of the quarter, children frequenting the streets have often by that time passed out of observation. The statistics of the Australian States giving the percentage of the attendances to the enrolment show that in those States which allow prosecution at > end of a week it reaches as high as 85 per cent., while in Victoria it is only 67. Apart from the evil habits learned by the children in the streets, the educational loss in the school is considerable, as a general slackness of attendance means a lower effective • teaching power. The bill also provides that truancy cases may be heard with closed doors, and the justices may, at their discretion, attend at any

State school and take evidence, as if they were in a court of petty sessions NORTHERN TERRITORY ADMINISTRATION. In the South Australian Assembly, on October 18, Mr Solomon moved:—That, in view or the expressed desire of the Commonwealth Government to> reconsider the proposal to take over the Northern Territory, the Government should re-open negotiations with the Commonwealth to ascertain the terms upon which it would take over the dependency; that in such negotiations the Commonwealth Government should be given to understand definitely that South Australia will stipulate for the following terms: —Payment of the total amount expended by South Australia in connection with the settlement and administration of the territory to the date of transfer; that the southern boundary of the portion of the Northern Territory taken over by the Commonwealth be fixed approximately at the 22nd degree of south latitude; that the Commonwealth Government agree to construct the transcontinental line from the proposed southern boundary to the present terminus at Pine Creek: that the line of route of the proposed railway be from the terminus of the railway at South Australia’s proposed new boundary to the terminus of the northern section of the line at Pine Creek, and within 100 miles east or west of the present overland telegraph line; that the work of construction be commenced by the South Australian Government from O'odnadatta, and by the Commonwealth Government from the Pine Creek end, within twelve months of the passing of the necessary acts by the State and Commonwealth Parliaments, and the approval of the transfer and alteration of boundary by the Imperial Parliament. He said the annual loss on the Territory was £IOO,OOO, and the accumulated deficit £3,000,000. South Australia could not construct the railway herself, as it would cost £5,500,000: while no syndicate would undertake it on the land grant principle, owing to the industrial and immigration laws of the Commcmwealth. „ The only alternative, therefore, was to transfer the Territory to the Federation, as a railway was absolutely essential to the development and settlement of the Territory, while it would be invaluable for defence purposes. A handful of people during the last four years had sent from the Territory gold and other products worth £63 per head for every man, woman and child. The construction of the railway would add a new province to Australia, rich in mineral, pastoral and agricultural possibilities. He quoted articles from “The Age” on the Territory, and applauded that journal in treating its development as a national question. The debate-was adjourned.

AN AUSTRALIAN MILITARY COLLEGE. A SYDNEY SCHEME LAUNCHED. An important military education scheme—the first step in the direction of an Australian military college for officers has received the sanction and approval of the Commonwealth Minister of Defence, Senator Playford. The scheme is the outcome of the desii’e of both the Imperial and the Commonwealth Governments that Australia should make a beginning in the training of young men for a purely professional military career. 'Communications were received by the Reid-McLean Government from the Secretary for the Colonies on the subject last year, the suggestion being thrown out that if financial limitations rendered the establishment of an Australian military college out of the question, something might be done by inducing one of two of the universities to add special military subjects to their sphere of work. The suggestion was considered, and the universities of Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide and Hobart approached. All, except Sydney, found it impossible to add to their financial responsibilities. The Sydney University authorities, however, took up the matter with enthusiasm, and submitted to the present Government the general headings of the scheme, which has now been officially approved. The scheme provides for the endowment, at a cost of over £BOO a year, of a chair of military law and tactics—the exact title has not been disclosed —'for the training and higher education of young men for commissions in the Imperial and the Australian forces. . The University undertakes to import from Great Britain a first-class professor, whose qualifications shall be attested by the Army Board in London, and to co-operate with the Minister of Defence, so that periodic lectures on special branches of military subjects shall be given at the University by two officers of the Australian permanent forces. The recently augmented funds of the Sydney University have enabled Sir Norman McLaurin, its chancellor, to put the scheme before the Government in such a way that its acceptance will not cost the Commonwealth taxpayer one penny piece. Sir Norman McLaurin has personally thrown all his energies into the whole business, being anxious not only to assist in performing a national service, but to secure for bis university the kudos of making a very important departure from the beaten track of university work.

THE CONTROL OF CABLE NEWS. According to a custom which has obtained for several years, representatives of the country press assembled at the Grand Central Hotel, Sydney, under the- auspices of the Country Press Association, on October 11th and 12th. Mr T. Temperly (president of the association) was chairman, and there was a large attendance of country newspaper proprietors. Amongst the many items discussed was that of the Copyright Bill then before the Senate. The conference expressed itself as absolutely opposed to any news, cable or otherwise, being copyrighted. Further, the secretary of the association was instructed to communicate with a firm of London press agents and the proprietors of the ‘Daily Mail” as to the cost of an independent cable service, also to approach the Federal Government as to the best terms upon which messages would be conveyed per the “All-Red” route, and to make an appeal to the whole of the provincial press throughout the Commonwealth to combine in an effort to fiance the proposed service. THE WESTRALIAN LABOUR PARTY. The Labour members for Western Australia in the Federal Parliament have held several meetings and drafted a manifesto to the electors of that State, in view of the present State elections. After reminding the electors that members of the Federal Parliament cannot in consequence of their Federal duties take part in the campaign, and that electors had been asked to reject candidates of the Labour party on the ground that the late Ministry failed to realise the expectations of the country in arriving at a just judgment, the manifesto points out that the Labour party in the position existing at the opening of the last Parliament did not seek the responsibility of government. They were forced into office by the tactics of their opponents. The avowed purpose of the latter was that owing to their inexperience of Executive functions Labour Ministers would commit mistakes calculated to discredit their party, and provoke a revulsion of feeling against it in the country. “Electors unfortunately did not endow the Labour party with the strength necessary to a full attainment of its programme, and it must be realised also that the party had been embarrassed by certain members who, in the day of responsibility, had been a source of weakness, and now in its hour of trial are recreant to its principles. , One of these unhappily is the late leader, and the official mouthpiece of the party. In view of these circumstances it cannot be said that the Labour party has had a fair trial.” Hence it is argued that any appeal addressed to the electors based on the assumed failure of the Labour Government is both fallacious and unfair. There can have been no failure where there never has been a fair trial. Whatever, it is asserted, may be said of Labour Governments, whether in the Commonwealth, in Queensland, or in Western Australia, no whisper impugning their individual honour or collective rectitude has ever been heard. Their administration of public offices has in every case been clean and above reproach. The experience of the eastern States, if not of Western Australia itself, shows how perilous it is to disregard the absence of personal probity in individuals clothed with the trusteeship of the national estate. “Finally,” the manifesto concludes, “we ask you to remember that the ideals of the Labour movement stand unimpaired, and that our party goes before you with clean hands. It is the only party which offers you definitely a progressive grogramme. The propositions of our opponents are comparative negations.” ~ This is signed by Mr W. H. Carpenter, M.P., Senator J. W. Croft, Senator H. Do Lai gie, Mr C. E. Fraser, M.P., Senator G. Henderson, Mr Hugh Malion, M.P., Senator G. F. Pearce.

A COURT COMEDY. An old Irish woman was undef crossexamination at the Water Police Court on October 10, by Mr E. R. Abigail, but proved too much for him. She spoke in the thickest of Irish brogues, and to emphasise some of her points banged an old “hand-me-down” umbrella she carried on to the table in front of her. The cross-esanmjation was something after this fashion : Mr Abigail: Then you wouldn’t engage me in a case for you?—Not much (laughter). H© is a gentleman (pointing to the magistrate). Mr Abigail: And don’t you think I am ? Witness: I don’t think so. (Loud laughter, in which Mr Abigail joined heartily). Mr Abigail: Then you wouldn’t engage me in you next case?—Och, sure, I would, for your teeth are gold. (Loud laughter). . Now what time did you get up that morning?—That is none of your business. (Laughter). What time did you have' breakfast, then ?—The same time as every other morning. (Laughter). What time was that ?—Perhaps I had no breakfast at all that morning.

No breakfast. How was that?—l was too busy, jvhich it would be good

lor you if you was the same sometimes. {Laughter). ~ , Now you say you opened the box. What -was that for ? —And do you think I’m going to tell you that now. (Loud laughter). . , , , How do you know it was 8 o clock that morning?—Haven’t I plenty of clocks. Then which one did you look at. None of them (banging down her umbrella). And you think the accused got the money ?—Faith and I’m sure he did, else how could he have paid you. (Screams of laughter). Oh! he got my money all right, and you know itThat’s why you are pleading for him. (Renewed laughter). - Well you have got someone to plead for you (nodding towards Senior-ser-geant Spence). He’s a lawyer too, you know. And you think the accused got .your gold, do you (the charge was for stealing £6 out of a box) ?-—Yes, J us as sure as you got some of it to defend kim —gold in your pocket as well as m your teeth. (Screams of laughter). Mr Abigail (resuming his seat): 1 give you up—you are too much for me.-• The old lady lost her case, and left the court in high dudgeon. A FOOD AND DRUGS BILL.

The long-promised Bill to consolidate and amend the law relating to food and drugs was read a first time in the House of Assembly, South Australia, on October 17th, and the second reading set down for next dey. The measure, which consists of 56 clauses, was prepared by Dr Ramsay Smith, and settled by Mr A. C. Thomas. If passed it will come into force on January 1. For the purposes of the Act “animal” is declared to mean and include mammal, fish, fowl, crustacean, mollusc, and all animals used as food; “drug” any substance used for or in the composition or preparation of medicine, whether for internal or external use, and includes any preservative, antiseptic, disinfectant, deodorant, narcotic, and cosmetic; and “food” every article used for food or drink by man, other than drugs or water, and every article which ordinarily enters into or is used in the com-* position or preparation of human food, and shall include flavouring matters, condiments, and confectionery. The administration of the law will be placed under the Central Board or Health, which shall have authority throughout the State and the Governor may appoint a Chief Inspector of Food and Drugs, and inspectors. The Central Board will have power to act in default of local authority. Local Boards may appoint inspectors, who may act for two or more districts. The Government Analyst shall be the analyst under the Act. Part 111. of the measure describes the offences, and declares that:—“No person shall mix, colour, stain, or powder, or order or permit any other person to mix, colour, stain, or powder, any article of food with any ingredient or material so as to lender the article injurious to health with intent that the same may be sold in t-hat State; and no person shall sell any such article' so mixed, coloured, stained, or powdered and that “No person shall, except for the purpose of compounding as hereinafter described, mix, colour, stain, or powder, or order or permit any other person to mix. colour, stain, or powder, any drug with any ingredient or material so as to render the drug injurious to health or alter its potency, or conceal its inferior quality, with intent that the same may be sold in that State, and no person shall sell any such drug so mixed, coloured, stained, or powdered. There is an exemption from penalty where absence of knowledge is proved. Other clauses provide that mixed articles for sale or in stock must be labelled, that no person shall sell any compound, article of food, or drug which is not composed of ingredients in accordance with the demands of the purchaser, unless legibly labelled; that no- person shall, with the intent that the same may be sold, in its altered state, without notice, abstract from an article of food any part of it; that milk sellers shall be licensed; and that condensed, separated or skimmed milk shall be described. Provisions are also inserted prohibiting the sale of the milk of diseased cows, regulating the sale of spurious butter; and stipulating that “no person shall sell or expose for sale the uncured flesh of any cattle, sheep, or pigs unless the same shall have been slaughtered in a slaughter house licensed for slaughtering purposes under some Act relating to the slaughtering of cattle or other animals; the 'allegation that such flesh has not been slaughtered in a licensed slaughter house shall be prirna facie evidence till the contrary is proved.” In reference to spirituous liquors the following provisions are in the Bill: “No person shall use for drawing from any receptacle any fermented liquor known as beer, ale, porter, stout, or any other malt liquor for the purpose of sale —any pipe made wholly or partly of lead, unless such pipe shall be so coated with tin as to prevent the liquor from coming into contact with the lead; any pipe which is not kept in a clean and wholesome condition, or which ©ontains any matter, sediment, or growth likely to be injurious to health. Any inspector may at any reasonable time enter any premises where spirits are »old or exhibited or stored or prepared

for the purpose of sale, and, without purchasing any quantity, may test the alcoholic strength of such spirits.” The clause dealing with the sale of articles not of the proper nature, substance, and quality states: —“No person shall sell to the prejudice of the purchaser any article of food or any drug which is not of the nature, substance, and quality of the article demanded by such purchaser. Provided that an offence shall not be deemed to be committed under this section in the following oases, that is to say:—lf the defendant shall prove that any matter or ingredient not injurious to health has been added to the food or drug because the same is required for the production or preparation thereof as an article of commerce in a state fit for carriage or consumption, and not fraudulently to increase the bulk, weight, or measure or alter the potency of the food or drug or conceal the inferior quality thereof. Where the drug or food is a proprietary medicine, or is the subject of a patent in force, and is supplied in the state required by the specification of the patent. Where the food or drug is compounded as in this Act mentioned. Where the food or drug is unavoidably mixed with some extraneous matter in the process of collection or preparation. Where spirits are not adulterated otherwise than by being diluted with water, and 'such dilution has not reduced the spirits more than 25 degrees under proof for brandy, whisky, rum, schnapps, unsweetened gin, or other spirits, or 35 degrees under proof for sweetened gin, as estimated bv Sikes’s hydrometer.” The remainder of the sections deal with analysis, penalties, and procedure and regulations of a comprehensive character, including, among other things, poisons and patent medicines.