INTERCOLONIAL

Otago Witness, Issue 2666, 19 April 1905, Page 26

INTERCOLONIAL

MELBOURNE, April 13.

The l'atura muider was one of great terocity. The victim is surjposed to be a navvy engaged on the irrigation works at Warranga, and the body is in an advanced state of decomposition.

At a meeting of the Central (Fruitgrowers' Association Mr Peacock, a leading jam manufacturer, stated that the fruitgrowing and jam industry was being slowly strangled by the Federal sugar duties, amounting to £6 per ton. Before federation Queensland sugar was available at £13 per ton, but now it was £23. The Colonial Sugar Company, which enjoys the biggest monopoly in Australia, was able to distribute the -enormous sum of £850,000 to its shareholders.

April 14.

At the annual conference of the Farmers, Property Owners, and Producers' Association Mr Irvine- (late Premier of Victoria) strongly urged) the various associations tlnougkout the country to form "an alliance to combat Socialism. It was ultimately decided to form an alliance for the purpose indicated.

Apiil 15,

Another bag has been found three miles away from the original discovery containing part of the head and logs of tho victim of the Tafura tragedy.

April 17.

A burglar entered the bedroom of the postmistress at St. James, in the Benalla disti'ict, and demanded the keys of the post office. He stole £50, and then got clear.

The evidenc-e presented at the inquest on the victim of the Tat lira murdex shows

that he was killed' with a hammer, and that an attempt Avas made to burn the he nd.

SYDNEY, April 12. The Avai-hip Clio returns to Sydney under oidei's to proceed to China.

At the Chamber of Commerce Conference the president referred to the satisfactory increase in material wealth from the pastoral and agiicultural interests in tlie Commonwealth dm ing the past 12 months. He regretted the influx of new population Avas at a standstill. The Immigration Restriction Act, which constituted a standing warning and limitation to intending immigrants, needed modification. The question of British influence in the Pacific Avas in a doimant and unsatisfactory condition, particularly in regard to the New Hebrides. They were in danger of losing their hold th.ere unless the Imperial and Federal Governments maintained their rights as a pressing and urgent necessity. In reference to preferential trade, the Australian commercial community avps still Avaiting for definite and authoritative information as to what the British proposals were. At the conference a motion was svbmitted by South Australia to the effect that the development of tropical Australia could! not be attempted without coloured labour, therefore it was advisable to repeal the Federal legislation inconsistent with the establishment of* a well-regulated system of employing coloured) labour.

In the discussion the policy adopted of paying £100,000 a year to destroy the sugar industry was characterised as suicidal ; that while a White Australia was a good ideal it Avas not right to alloAV a large part of tropical territory to remain criminally wasted. One speaker pointed out that the social problems that had arisen in America and Africa OA*er the race ques-

tion should act as a warning. Anything like encouragement of black immigration would prove a very great danger.

The Queensland delegates advocated that a proper colour line should) be adopted. The motion was carried. A motion urging the wisdom of the Federal and State Governments, Universities, and Chambeis of Commerce encouraging commercial education as a branch of technical and scientific study was carried.

The Commonwealth is also to be urged to take steps to attract desirable immigration.

A motion was carried in favour of the metric system of weights and) measures, but negatived with respect to a decimal coinage.

April 13,

A large deputation rernesenting all the amateur sporting bodies waited on the Chief Secretary and asked for legislation to suppress betting at sports meetings. The Minister promised favourable consideration.

The Conference of Chambeis of Commerce adopted a motion that the time is opportune for a settlement of the New Hebrides question. A delegate remarked that the actions of the Federal Government in relation to the islands in the Pacific were so far of a character which suggested that it might be better for the Commonwealth to dirop tinkering with them any longer and leave them to the New Zealand Government, which might be expected to do something statesmanlike. What was the use of subsidising a line of steamers to the islands when settlers could not send produce to Australia.

The Mikado has decorated Loid Tennyson and Sir Edmund Barton with the First Order of the Rising Sun, Admiral IFanshawe. with the First Order of the Sacred Treasure, General Hutton with the Second Order of the Rising Sun, and Sir Malcolm M'Eachern (Japanese Consul at Melbourne) with the Third Order of the

Rising Sun. The decorations are in commemoration of the visit of the Japanese fleet.

April 14.

Stanbury lias issued a challenge to Towns to nnv foi- the championship of the voi'ld, on the Parramatfca, for £500 a-side. A match is likely to be arranged.

The Conference of Chambers of Commerce, which was held here, has concluded its sittings.

A deputation from the Employers' Federation asked Mr Carruthers, the Premier, to repeal the Arbitration Act. The Premier made a non-committal reply, promising to consider the representations made.

April 15. The certificate of th? chief officer of the wrecked steamer Albany has been suspended for 12 months.

April 17. The High Court granted an application by the Collector of Customs for Victoria for power to search ceitain books in the possession of James Allen, fish importer. Yietoiip, in connection with the importation of 59 shipments of New Zealand blue cod during 1901-2. whereon it is alleged the duty was not paid.

At the invitation of the Oiient Company's manager, a large and influential gathering, including Mr Carruthers (the Premier), Kir Joseph Ward, and Mr James Mills, dined aboard the Ophir. Speeches congratulatory of the resumption of the mail service weie made.

Mr Carruthers, in proposing Sir J. G. \Var6Ys health, asked him to convey a message of good feeling from the people of New South Wales to the people of New Zealand.

Sir J. G. Ward, respojiding. said he hoped Mr Carruthers would visit New Zealand. He suggested as a practical stop towards cementing the good feeling between

' New Zealand andi New South Wales lec.piocity with such aiticles as Avere not piovmg injmious to either country. There was plenty of room for an increase of business lictw.-en the two countries. ADELAIDE, April 16. Tlvtec young men, named Doherty, Hayes, and Roach, were di owned by the cap'-i/un^' of a pk-asuie boat on Torrens Like.

BKISBAXE

April 13

The -wiioat yield in this State is e&timaled at 2.149.000 bushels, being a decrease of 287 "bushels.

April 17

The kanaka Charlie was executed) for the murder of a European named John Parsons at Ingharn in November. Death was instantaneous. He protested his innocence.

There are two cases of suspected' sleeping sickness in the city. One — a policeman — has slept unbrokenlv for four days. HOBART, April 17.

Burglars entered the local museum, and stole £200 worth of gold and silver exhibits.