INTERCOLONIAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3212, 6 October 1915, Page 65

INTERCOLONIAL.

MELBOURNE, September 28. The Royal Commission of Inquiry into the charges against the Dental Board reports having found no evidence of differential treatment of students or of the registration of unregistered practitioners. The Federal Executive Council has passed an ordinance nationalising the liquor supply for the Northern Territory from October 1. September 29. The Peacock Ministry rejected the Liberal members’ proposals for the resignation of the Cabinet, and resolved to remain in office. The Premiers’ Conference carried a motion requesting the various State Governments to formulate plans for the issue of loans and for the management of the State Department by a single authority. September 30. In the Victorian Legislative Assembly a section of the Liberals elected Mr D. M'Leod their leader, and he tabled a want-of-confidence motion. The House then adjourned. October 2. The compulsory coal trade conference arrived at no decision, and the parties are still conferring. SYDNEY, September 28. . The Baptist Union Conference protested against raffles and art unions in connection with the patriotic funds. Tire Government Savings Bank has raised the rate of interest on deposits to 3f per cent. September 29. In the New South Wales Legislative Assembly a two months’ Supply Bill for £3,297,530 was pa sed. A batch of traders were fined in Sums varying from Is to £lO for selling commodities above the prices fixed by commission. Mr Tudor promised consideration of the rubber-workers request to place 100 per cent, duty on imported rubber goods. September 30. . In the New South Wales Legislative Assembly Mr Estell stated that the Government intended to introduce legislation to repeal the existing law in so far as it Imposed penalties for strikes and lockouts. The Steamship Owners’ Association has advised the Marine Officers’ Guild that the association prefers to refer its claims to the Arbitration Court. September 30. The Commodities Commission reduced the prices of bran and pollard by 20s per ton, the price of pollard now being £5 10s per ton, and that of bran £4 per ton. Prices of oatmeal, chaff, and chi clew heat have also been further reduced. The final date of the Government wheat purchase has been extended to October 16. October 2. Women are instigating an anti-liquor crusade, and a large number of letters in the press demand the early closing of hotels. October 4. Fifty-seven cases of smallpox have been Isolated at Stockton Hospital. ADELAIDE, October 1. The steamer Yeddo, with a cargo of oil from Texas to Perth, which was adrift with a broken tail-shaft, has been towed into port. BRISBANE, September 28. Ample rains have fallen, and have greatly relieved stockowners. In some districts rivers and creeks are running for the first time this year.

September 28. A compulsory conference of the iron trades agreed to a 44-hour week, "with slightly increased wages, PERTH, September 30. Members of the West Australian Legislative Council severely criticised the operations of the Control of Trade Board, particularly in regard to the losses on its maize, bran, and poliard importations. October 4. Fire destroyed Hannan’s brewery at Parkestown, near Kalgoorlie. The damage is estimated at £15,000. FREMANTLE, September 29. A steamer has returned after a fruitless search for the steamer Yeddo, which was reported last week as disabled by a broken tailshaft 200 miles south-east of Albany. The Yeddo was bound from Texas to Fremantle with a cargo of oil.