INTERCOLONIAL

Otago Witness, 14 December 1893, Page 28

INTERCOLONIAL

(Peb Press Association.) Melbourne, December 13

The Minister for Education, in r;ply to a deputation, prd'miei to ask his colleagues to favourably consider an alteration of the law probioitirg religious ins! motion in S ate * chools.

Lempriere, secretary of the Grand Loc'go, explains in connection with the deficiency in the Masonic accounts that 10 years ago his assistant robbed him of the amount, of the deficiency in the benevolent fund. The matter, he says, was repoited and, as he thoueht, arranged. It has been decided to ask Lempriere to resiga, and there the matter will end.

Sydney, December 13

Mr Valentine, the New Zealand daiiy expert, has been interviewed. He says that before the colonies can do much good in the butter trade they must distribute their produce more freely and export direct to Manchester, Liverpool, Glasgow, and Bristol. He strongly favours State supervision and grading. There is a good opening for cheese in EDgland, but the article musn be of the finest quality. The intense heat which has been experienced throughout tbe colony for some days past has been followed by very large grass and bush fires in the interior.

Byniga station, Narrandera district, about 350 miles south-west from Sydrey, has been swept by a bush firp, and 90,000 acres devastated. At ihe end of last week the fire had extended over an area of 40 milep, and unless rain falls the flames will sweep tbe country north to the Lacblan river. Mqrell creek station lost all its grass Bad

buildings, with the exception of the homestead, and one selector lost 1500 sheep. At Cooee station, in the Jerilderie district, about 60 miles south from Narrandera, over 70,000 acres have been laid waste by fire.

The Dubbo Bjiling-down Company have been fined the sum of L1G.870, in addition to the fines inflicted upon the manager and secretary, for killing without a license, making a total of L50.G10. A remission has been applied for.

The Opposition met last night to consider the action of the Government. After a turbulent meeting, a resolution was passed calling on Parliament to vindicate its power of ascendancy by a prompt and sweeping condemnation of the unlawful and desperate proceedings of the Dibbs Government Mr G. H. Reid, leader of the Opposition, who was the principal speaker, characterised the Ministry as a nest of political tricksters, who had prostituted the provisions of an act of Parliament to rob the people of their rights. Another resolution, characterising the action of Sir George Dibbs as a blessing, because it prevented tbe passing of the Bank Notes Issu3 Bill, was proposed, and declared by the chairman to be carried.

Mr Slattery, one of the Ministers of the Crown, held a retainer in a case against the Public Works department, but withdrew from it on the result of the decision against Mr Barton being announced.

Adelaide, December 13

The Legislative Assembly has passed through all stages a bill doubling the income tax for one year as an emergency tax, rendered necessary by the rejection of the Taxation Bill. The Labour party opposed the measure, urgirg the Government to hold a special session after the Christmas holidays to repass the original bill.