AUSTRALIAN NEWS

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1798, 22 August 1906, Page 50

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

A SECOND BALLOT SCHEME. A second ballot proposal for the House of Representatives is receiving the consideration of the Federal Cabinet. The object of a second ballot is to secure the return of candidates by a majority of voters, and not, as has often been the case where there have been several aspirants for one seat, by a small score, which, owing to splitting of votes, has only been an insignificant proportion of the number cast. Thus, supposing there are four candidates, and the one at the head of the poll has not a majority of the total for all four, he will be required to. present himself for election again within some specified time against the second highest man. It is understood that the intention of the Government is to make the proposal only on behalf of the House of • Representatives, on the contention that the cost ivould be too serious a matter if the Senate wero included, and also that it would bo improbable that a large percentage of electors would take the trouble to record their votes again, more especially if there were no House of Representatives election at the same time. It has been ascertained that at the last election the second baliot would have been used in 13 instances had such a provision been in force. Nothing definite has been decided by the Government. PASTORAL LETTER ON GAMBLING. Archbishop Clarke, of Melbourne, with the Bishops cf Ballarat, Bendigo, Wangaratta, and Gippsland recently addressed a pastoral letter to the clergy of Victoria on the subject of gambling, which was read in all the Anglican churches on August 5. In the course of the letter the following remarks occur: —“After long and serious meditation upon the grave perils to which our people, especially the young, are exposed from the habit of betting and gambling, we feel constrained in all affection to draw your earnest attention to the moral evil that is consuming the spiritual life of every class of the community. There are little ohildren in the streets, boys and girls tenderly naturod, women in refined homes, men of all trades and professions, some of whom are among our most prominent citizens, who not only practise betting and gambling themselves, but lightly and thoughtlessly regard it as not an illegitimate pleasure, and as a necessary adjunct to the joys of living." After referring at length to this evil and to the duty of the Church, the letter proceeds:—“The conscience of the State is at the present time fully awake. Now is our time for definite and faithful action. If gambling is no vice of our own, and wo ourselves are assured that wo are in no peril like others, yet the call comes to us unmistakably and imperiously. We must take some action, and what action can be so effective as to bind ourselves, and to seek to bind as many as we can influence by solemn pledge, •by God’s help, never to bet, never to play games for money, and to discountenance every form of gambling by every means in our power." ROASTED IN A BOILER. A shocking discovery was made in a ventilating shaft at Minmi, near Newcastle, on August 4, a man’s body being found half roasted in a boiler. The circumstances under which the unfortunate man got into the boiler are not known. Deceased, Joseph Hodgetts, was an engine-driver employed at No. 12 ventilating shaft in Brown’s Miami colliery. He went to work as usual at 6 o’clock in the morning. At 1.30 p.m., another engine-driver named John Rothwell came on to relieve him, but on arrival found that the fire was almost out and only 181 b of steam in the boiler. He, however, saw no signs of Hodgetts. and proceeded with his work. Later he noticed a pair of boots on top of an empty boiler near the man-hole, and alongside one which was being used. This discovery prompted him to make further search. He glanced into the boiler, and was startled at seeing the body of a man at the bottom. The body was in a halfroasted condition, and so disfigured as to bo almost beyond recognition. The police were communicated with, and removed the body to Minmi. JEALOUS WIFE’S MURDEROUS ATTACK. Wliat had the appearance of a determined attempt to murder a husband occurred at the Golden Rule Hotel, Adelaide, on August 3. Among the boarders were a man named John Hasset and bis wife, Ada Hasset. An affray between this couple took pilaoe in the backyard of the promises, and when the police were called in they found the man in a critical condition. He bad a deep' cut 2in long just below the cheekbone/f and on his forehead, above his right leyo, was another slash 3in long, which even to unprofessional observation seemed to have penetrated the skull.

The woman admitted that oho bad fctt&cked her husband, and said: —‘T did it with an axe." She added: —“It is in the shed at the back." The place was pointed out to a constable, and he found in it a blood-stained axe, which Mrs Hasset admitted she had used to strike her husband. There were several dark red stains and hair adhering to the top of the blade near the steel. John Hasset,. the victim of the attack, who was in an unconscious state, was removed to the Adelaide Hospital, where it was found that he was suffering from a compound fracture of the skull and a broken jaw—both of which injuries had evidently been inflicted with the axe. The motive of the murderous attack was apparently jealousy. It was stated that not long before, when Mrs Hasset had completed a sentence for an unimportant offence she went home to find that her husband was living in company with another woman. Quarrels became frequent, and it was feared that there would he violenoe. Mrs Hasset was arrested and lodged in the lock-up. Hasset died on August 6, and the coroner’s jury returned a verdict oi wilful murder against the prisoner. PAYMENT OF WOMEN TEACHERS. The Victorian Director of Education (Mr Frank Tate) a few weeks ago had his attention called to the small salaries paid to women teachers in the State schools, which are a subject of frequent comment. Some of these teachers are of an age at which they might reasonably be expected to support themselves, yet they receive salaries of from £2O to £4O per annum. Mr Tate, in response, said:—“The salaries are altogether too low. That is undoubted. There are many cases in the department of people of mature age receiving salaries of junior teachers, the maximum being—Male, £SO ; female, £4O. In some cases this is due to the fact that they served long periods as monitors, awaiting appointment as pupil teachers. In other cases the apprenticeship period has been prolonged through failure to pass the annual examinations ; and in a third set of cases the junior teachers have at the end of their course preferred to remain as junior teachers, rather than to go into the country and accept servioo in schools remote from their homes. There is no barrier against a person of any age becoming a junior teachei', and occasionally there are candidates of 18 or 19 years. The average is 15 or 1G years."

DEPORTATION OF KANAKAS. The enforcement of the “White Australia" policy by the Federal Government now necessitates the deportation of the Kanakas who for years were introduced for the working of the northern sugar fields. Tenders are being called for the shipment of these to their various island homes, transportation to begin in September. From that month onward it is required that the contracting parties shall send a steamer every four weeks to various Queensland coastal towns, and there receive a complement of not fewer than 100 Kanakas for each trip. In January a steamer or steamers capable of carrying at least 2500 will he required. From January onwards deportation will go on at the rate of not less than 100 a month. On August 7 correspondence between the Queensland Premier and the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth was laid on the table of the House of Representatives. In this, while claiming that the Federal Government should make the necessary arrangements for sending the islanders home, Mr Kidston offered the cordial co-operation of the Queensland State Government. He was of opinion that deportation should be commenced at once on a large scale, and carried out regularly until completed, and that no matter how expeditiously deportation might he conducted up to December next, there would be then between 2000 and 3000 Kanakas in Queensland prevented by Federal legislation from working for employers. He asked for suggestions as to how these men were to be supported and made to keep the peace during the period of enforced idleness that would precede their embarkation. It would be cheaper and better, he thought, to charter a number of steamers, so that, say, two a week would leave Queensland ports for tho islands in January next. Tho Prime Minister replied on August 3 that the Federal Govern m int •was prepared to accept the responsibility for the execution of the deportation clauses of the Pacific Islanders Act of 1901 on the terms as to the cooperation by Queensland stated in Mr Kidston’s letter. Those terms evinced, in the opinion of the Federal Government, fair and liberal recognition of the duty owed by Queensland. Mr Deakin thought the collaboration oi. the staff of the Polynesian department would be particularly valuable, and ho said in his letter that lie hoped that the Queensland Premier would be able to free them from other duties, so that they might be able to give their undivided attention to repatriation work. Mr Deakin further wrote:—“As this Government has repeatedly promised

that considerations of humanity won.d be duly regarded in deciding the persons to he deported, I am disposed to generally accept the recommendations of the Royal Commission as oontained in their report, with perhaps some minor limitations in permitting certain islanders to remain in Australia. It will, of course, be understood that the Commonwealth Government accepts vc liability for them of any kind. Haying given the report of the Comm.ssion and your letter careful cons'doration, it seems unnecessary to establish an extensive depot system recommended. In the interests of all concerned, it is desirable that 'he weak of repatriation should ho pr oeecded with as speedily as possible. r t 's my intention at once to call lor teulers from, steamship owners, and conditio is will be framed with a view of inducing offers to complete the work in the shortest time practicable. “The problem of what will become of the islanders during the interval that must elapse between December 31 and their departure for their homes need not, I hope, occasion much practical difficulty. As already stated, it is my desire, and will be my endeavour, to arrango that this interval shall be brief, and that the men shad not remain in idleness and subject to temptation to expend their savings. “In order to permit the completion of g.ny arrangements as to shipping or otherwise that may now be pending, it is proposed that the transfer to the Commonwealth shall take effect on September 1 next." The recommendations of the Royal Commission which inquired into the various matters concerning the Pacific Islanders advised exemption from deportation of the following:—(a) Those introduced into Australia- prior to September 1, 1879; (b) those of such extreme age, or suffering from bodily infirmity, as to he unable to obtain a livelihood if returned to the^ 1 ’ native islands; (c) those married to or living with v. °meu of some island other than their own, and who could not ho deported without risk to life; (d) those married to or living with women not natives of the Pacific Islands: (tj those who wero on July 1, 190(1, and still were registered as beneficial owners of a freehold in Queensland; (h) those who had been continuously resident in Australia for not less than 20 years prior to December 31, 1096. The Commission also advised the exemption of persons (e) who have offspring who liavo been educated in State schools, (g) and holders of an unexpired leasehold to whom no compensation has been paid; but in a minute attached to Hie official papers Mr Atlee Hunt, Secretary of the External Affairs Department, recommends that it would not be advisable to exempt persons falling under classes e and g. Their cases, he states, should be specially submitted with recommendations from the officers. SUPPRESSION QF GAMBLING. The N.S.W. Attorney-General introduced into the Legislative Assembly on August 1 a bill to deal with the suppression of gaming and wagering. The definition clause treads that “sports" means bicycle races, foot races, horse races, cricket, football, or any game, exercise, pastime, fight, or contest. “Street" means anywhere, not being a house or racecourse. Owners and occupiers of gaming and betting houses are liable to a penalty, as are also owners and occupiers of any land or building used as a means of access or exit from a gaming house. Owners may evict tenants unlawfully using their property. Any Judge of the Supreme Courtmay, at tho instance of the police, declare a place a gaining house, and any person found therein will be deemed to be there unlawfully, and may he imprisoned unless ho can show to the contrary. The police may enter such places without a warrant. Every person who frequents, uses, or is in any street for the purpose of betting, and every bookmaker who, either by himself or an agent, makes a bet in a street, and every agent, shall be liable to a fine up to £IOO or six months’ imprisonment. Betting and wagering oil or near any grounds on which any sports are to be held, may be prohibited on due notice by owners, managers, or trustees of tho ground, or holders of the sports. Any person who bets with, or solicits betting with any one whom he knows to he under 21 years of age, shall ho liable to a fine of up to £IOO. If such notices are sent to persons in colleges the sender shall be deemed to know that the addressee was under 21 years of age, and in other circumstances the onus of proving reasonable belief will be on the bettor or sender of the notices. No race meeting shall be held by or on behalf of any club, association, or person on more than 16 days in any one year. No race meeting shall he held (a) on any racecourse within 40 miles of the General Post Office, Sydney, on more than 24 days in any one year; or (b) on any other racecourse on more than 12 days in any one year. No race meeting shall be held on any racecourse unless such racecourse is licensed under this Act. No race meeting shall be held on any racecourse when the circumference of the

running ground of such racecourse m less than six furlongs. The penalty is not less than £SOO. License fees range from £SO to £lO, according to the distance from the General Post Office. The number of licenses for raceoourses situate within 40 miles of the General Post Office, Sydney, shall not exceed the number of racecourses so situate and in use for race meetings within the three months next preceding the first day of July, 1906.

SHOT AND CREMATED. A youth named William Douglas Aitken, 19 years of age, left his home at Charters Towers, Queensland, on July 27, and subsequently a letter was discovered, in which the writer said he would bo found dead. There was a photo of tho missing lad, and this was perforated evidently by a bullet. After a systematic search by the police and others, on August 2 they found in the hush about a mile from Douglas’s home, a heap of ashes and a human trunk, which were not recognisable. The arms and legs had been burnt off. A revolver and a flattened bullet were found in the ashes. All the circumstances pointed to a carefully planned suicide, the general opinion being that the lad, after lighting a fire, stood in such a position a-s to fall into it, and then shot himself with the revolver. GOLD-STEALING IN MINES. In the Western Australian Legislative Assembly on August 3, the Police Offence Bid, which, consolidates nine different statutes and contains a new clause dealing with search warrants in connection with gold stealing, was sharply criticised. Mr Bath declared this clause was opposed to all principles of British justice. Ho moved “that the bill ho read that day six months.” Mr Scaddun said he was of opinion that the clause dealing with search warrants in connection with gold stealing was inserted at the instigation of tho Chamber of Mines. He would fight tho clause to the end. The bill was brought down for no other purposes than including that clause for the satisfaction of the Chamber of Mines. The second reading was ■ carried by 18 votes to 14, three Ministerialists opposing.

A WHALE IN HOBSON’S BAY. The passengers and crew who were conveyed from Williamstown to Port Melbourne by the Government ferry steamer Dorothy, on the 1.35 p.m. trip on August 2, had the startling experience of almost coming into violent collision with a whale, which the crew later declared to be twice the length of the vessel, or close on 120 feet in measurement. Just as the steamer had slowed down to half speed, preparatory to being brought alongside the Port Melbourne pier, the monster emerged from the water about two lengths’ ahead of the Dorothy, and immediately in her course. The engines were at once stopped, and the whale dived after being on the surface only a few moments; hut this was quite sufficient time to mako the deck of the vessel a scene of indescribable excitement, and passengers and deck hands were quickly leaning over the side, vainly endeavouring to ascertain the whereabouts of the unexpected visitor. Presently there was a great commotion in the water at the junction of the ferry and railway piers, and the whale came to the top again, this time on his back, having apparently grazed on the piles. After spouting for a moment it dived again, and re-appeared a few minutes later some yards beyond the end of the railway pier. It was, however, apparently frighteued, and liad only come up to breathe, for it immediately dived, and although quite a number of people on tho ferry boat and pier watched for some time for its re-appearance it did 3io t again emerge from the water.

SWEATING IN MELBOURNE. A TRADES HALL INQUIRY. In response to an invitation extended by the organising committee of the Trades Hall Council, about 40 representatives of various trades made statements to the committee on August 4 concerning the existence of sweating and other unsatisfactory conditions in Melbourne, for which they desired a remedy in the shape of wages boards. Several soap and candle makers, (says the “Age”) stated that the average wages for men in their trade was 30s per week. Work started at 7.30 a.in., and finished at 5 p.m. A number of young men, up to 25 years of age, received less than 30s, although, some were married. The task system, by which a man had to do an appointed amount of work in order to earn the full wage, was said to be prevalent. A starch maker said the average wage in his trade was 30s per week for men, and 8s to 9s for women, although sometimes women on piecework made 16s to 17s. One factorypaid men 45s for 48 hours, and another 25s to 32s 6d for 54 hours, and this gave a big advantage to the latter. Mr R. Solly, M.L.A., said that

a married man with three children was getting 22s 6d per week, end he had to work wet through all day. The working conditions of suburban livery stablemen were reported to be very bad. A few Toorak stables, it was stated, paid £2 per week, for 12 hours per day, but others paid from 15s and keep, to 35s without keep, for from 12 to 20 hours per day, working Sundays and holidays alike. One man said his regular time was from 7.30 a.m. to 1.30 a.m., and he once had to sleep with another man in an Bft by Bft rcom alongside the stable. Another employee said he had worked at one place for 12s Gd and keep, and at another from 7.45 a.m. to 12.45 a.m. for 17s 6d. A young bread carter stated that he had to start at 4.30 a.m. and finished at 6.30 p.m., for 15s per week, including' Sundays and holidays. Some married men, he stated, were getting 25s and less, and others 15s and found. Several drivers working for sewerage contractors stated that they had to work from twelve to fourteen hours a day for 27s per week. Cardboard boxmakers (women) stated that the average earnings ranged from 12s to 18s per week. Tlie different rates prevailing in the different factories penalised the good employers, and consequently the two largest firms and some of the smaller ones would welcome a wages board to regulate the conditions.

A strong case was made out by representatives of hotel and caterers’ assistants. They stated that cooks and cooks’ assistants, billiard markers, waiters* and "waitresses, and barmen, were, under the Factories Act, restricted to GO hours’ work per week, but kitchenmen, seullerymen, night porters, and “boots” were not protected, and were mado to work usually from 70 to 100 hours for low pay. Two kitchenmen in a well-known club in Collins street were said to get 10s and food and 15s and food respectively for 70 hours’ work, and 20s and food was regarded as splendid pay. Instances were give]] of men "who worked 85 hours for 20s, 112 hours for 15s, and 98 hours (every third Sunday off) for 15s. Men in foui’penny restaurants were said to work fourteen hours a day for 8s and 9s per week, and in the case of a certain charitable institution as much as 93 hours for 5s and 10s. Kitchenmen and seullerymen in Greek oyster shops wero said to have to work 99 hours per week for low pay. Night porters, it was stated, worked sometimes over 100 hours for 15s to 22s 6d. In almost all these cases food was supplied in addition.

A representative of flour millers stated that men in that trade were given 20s to 365, the average in one mill being from 20s to 22s 6d. Statements were made also by coach builders and engine drivers, and the inquiry was adjourned till the following Saturday night in order to allow representatives .of other occupations to make statements. A SHIP’S ROUGH EXPERIENCES. Tho ship British Isles arrived at Sydney from Callao, having called for decking purposes. The ship took a cargo of coal to Pisagua, in Chili, and had an eventful passage to the west coast. For weeks at a stretch when off Cape Horn, the vessel was beset by terrific gales, hurricane squalls, and mountainous seas. Two boats were washed away, and a third was smashed to , matchwood. Sails were torn to ribbons in the hurricane squalls. Three members of the crew were lost before the ship emerged from the gales. One man was so badly injured through being washed about the decks that he died. Another sailor, whilst engaged on the forecastle head, was swept overboard by a big cz-a and drowned, and a few days brier a third man, also a seaman, fell overboard from the upper topsail yard. He had to be left to his fate, as a violent gale was raging at the time, preventing any effort being made to rescue him. QUEENSLAND STATE COAL MINE. New Zealand’s example in the establishment of State coal mines is being followed in Queensland. Referring to the action of the Government in deciding to carry on coal mining in the central district, the Premier, on August 3, stated that the Government did not take over anything in (Connection with the coal mines. It was starting operations on land to which no one else had any title. The Government intended to prove the coal with as much expedition as possible, and to ascertain whether the commercial value was as great as was hoped. The navy would try the coal, and the Government had already sent two samples to the naval depot at Garden Island to be tested.

THE GAMBLING EVIL. Apparently as an earnest of - the Federal Government’s sympathy with the efforts of some of the States to put down gambling, the following notice was issued on August G from the Post and Telegraph Department: — The regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act, 1901, under .the above head, are hereby amended by the insertion of the following regulation:—

sa. If any subscriber is convicted of carrying on any illegal business, and the pffice where the illegal business is carried on is connected with a telephone exchange, the Deputy Postmas-ter-'General may determine the agreement with the subscriber, and may remove the subscriber’s name from the telephone directory, and may remove all wires, instruments, and other property of the Postmaster-General used in connection with the telephone. If the agreement is determined during any period in respect of which rent has been paid in advance, a proportionate part of the rent shall be returned to the subscriber. In this regulation illegal business means—(a) Keeping any common gaming house, common betting house, common bawdy house, or house of disorderly entertainment; or (b) keeping, occupying, or using any house or premises in contravention of the law of any State relating to gaming or wagering.

CIVIL SFPVAVTS’ POLITICAL RIGHTS. In the Victorian Legislative Council on August 7, the Attorney-General moved the second reading of the Separate Representation Repeal Bill. The effect of separate representation had notbeeeaswis fc r mf a m i insog rat not been so great as was expected, because there were so many free to vote with the general public, and three representatives in the Assembly and one in tho Council seeing to the interests of the others. The temporary officers, the pensioners and the relatives of all those opposed to separate representation excited an influence which tended to prevent it being effective. Before the passing of the act, there were certain regulations which required officers of the Government not to take part in political matters, and it had been thought better to put these in the act. There were in tho public service first class men worth a great deal more than, their salaries, but very often it was those who got more than they wore worth who were the greatest ap’ tors. The act would come into force „ the expiration or dissolution of tli3 Legislative Assembly. Mr Harwood said lie had been strongly, of opinion that the separate representation was necessary. Tne great bulk of the community, however, appeared to think that the time had arrived when the provision should be repealed. Personally lie had thought that at all events it should remain for another Parliament or so, but be was quite prepared to vote for the bill, and in doing so would feel strengthened by the clause dealing with political influence. Mr Melville said there was an impression that the public servants were able to dominate Parliament, and ivlien an act was passed to prevent such a possibility why should it be suddenly changed? There had Jbcen no election to .justify such a change, and the time had been too short to test tho experiment. The passing of the bill was due to the fact that members of both Houses had been interviewed and threatened. ® After further discussion, Mr Evans, representative of the public and railway servants, in sup% porting the hill, thanked members for tho consideration extended to him. He defended trading in the service. The second reading was carried unanimously, all the members crossing to the right. The bill was passed through all stages.

THE NATIONAL PARTY. Tho campaign to awaken a true national spirit among the people of the Commonwealth —the object for which tho National Party was formed—was initiated at the Scotch College, Melbourne, on August 9 by an address delivered to the assembled pupils by Mr Charles Atkins, the Chairman of the Melbourne branch. Mr Atkins was received, says the “Age,” with a somewhat boisterous demonstration on the part of the boys. He said the country they lived in was one of the finest and richest continents on the earth, where almost anything could be produced. He had seen even the Polar hears at the Zoo enjoying the genial Australian climate. (Roars of laughter.) Although they must not forget what Great BHtain has done for them, it was their duty to be good and independent sons. Although the days of Agincourt, Trafalgar, and the Nile were past, they should exhibit the spirit then displayed in their everyday life, and, if he might use the expression, “out-British the British” in matters of citizenship. He wished them to copy the men who had founded the large cities of Australia 50 years ago, when the bush was everywhere, and make their country so independent that they would he in a position, if need be, to fight their own battles, instead of throwing themselves on Great Britain. He thought that every Australian should pass a test in shooting and riding before being admitted to 'citizenship. (Roars of approval.) Their patriotism should, however, also have a practical, as well as a sentimental, side, and they should create as much work as possible by increasing the consumption of goods manufactured in Australia. His coat was made in Hobart, his suit in Geelong, his boots in

King street, bis socks— (laughter)—in South Yarra, and bis bat in Collingwood. (Loud laughter.) It had been said that local goods were poor in quality, but by increasing the consuming they would not only improve the quality, but also cheapen the price. He wanted them to believe in Australia, for as soon as they began to travel tho need would quickly come home to them, and they should not be afraid to do a little bit of “skiting.” For instance, they might tell people that tho annual amount of production in Australia reached to £121,000,000 sterling, which indeed was something to boast of. Ho was sure every boy in the college was ready to do something for his country 7. (Cheers.) Mr McCay, M.P., an “old” Scotch Uoilegian, who also spoke, was made tho recipient of a most flattering, though somewhat noisy, welcome on tho part of the schoolboys. At tho conclusion of an address by the secretary of the movement, Mr E. M. Miller, almost everyone in the room signified his intention of becoming an Australian nationalist, and hloth. iii Scotch College and the other public schools of the metropolis arrangements will be made for placing the institution on a sound footing.